Attaining at flood stage...oh, yeah!

OK, we cheated. But that is our mission, after all!

Faced with a Potomac that was over 10 feet and rising, the Cheat trainers headed down the river to Fletcher's boathouse to try something new. The ever inventive mind of Tom McEwan mapped out a course that took us down and around Roosevelt Island --- and back up! Having circumnavigated Roosevelt Island, the group split to both sides of the river.

The Maryland team used the Key Bridge pilings to assist their ferry, but then were surprised with fast current and had to work hard to get back to the Canoe Club boathouse. Things eased up for a while after that. A few tough spots were found further up, as tree branches in the water offered little help as eddies, while forcing boats out into current to get around. A final obstacle proved insurmountable --- an island formed by the high water just below Fletcher's, with swift current running along the island and through the trees along the shoreline. Paddlers were forced to find their way to solid ground for portage. Fortunately, it was pleasant and relatively short carry back up to Fletcher's.

I'm quite convinced that one could attain all the way up the Virginia side to Fletcher's. Water up in the trees actually provided some sneaks around troublesome spots, though the risk of entanglement and minor pins was ever present. There was one spot across from the bottom of the dreaded island that might be a real spirit-killer --- boily, fast, and requiring whatever you may have left in your reserve tank. Given time and circumstance, those that reached this point either ferried over to the Maryland side or did opt to carry that spot on Saturday. There is a trail on the Virgina side all the way up to Chain Bridge, though some parts were under water and others require tough climbs over rock jumbles.

For those who carried, we made our way up to directly across from the boathouse. A committed ferry would be rewarded with your take-out at one of the picnic tables on the opposite shore. :-) Miss your ferry and you end up below the island again, picking your way through the trees, by boat and by foot, to get back to the parking lot.

If the water were a little lower, I can imagine some spots actually being more difficult, as the sneaks through the trees would dry up. It may be interesting to come out the next time it is higher. :-) But for now, I think we all earned our "Crazy" merit badge for daring to attain the Potomac at flood. Great day on the water, full of wonderful city vistas and unexpected challenges!