Cuyahoga River

JPTolson · 06-09-2024, 09:17 AM

TCT friends and fellow paddlers,

Please join us on Saturday, June 15 for a 10.3 mile trip down the Cuyahoga, aka The Crooked River, from the Oxbow area of Cascade Valley Metro Park in Akron to Bolanz Road in Peninsula. This very pleasant and interesting run features many class 1 rapids along the river’s winding channel. There are also several short class 2 rapids where good boat control or an alternate line, including a possible drag or carry, depending on water level, will be helpful.

A WORD OF CAUTION: The most difficult part of the trip is likely to be a quarter mile from the put in. Here there are two trees in or hanging over the channel that must be avoided in the midst of fast current. Beginner or inexperienced paddlers or those without a quick paddle and good boat control may have difficulty at this point. There are a couple options for getting through this area safely. Which option will depend on water level and will likely require teamwork and cooperation of everyone in the group. IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR EVERYONE TO WEAR THEIR PFD, PROPERLY FASTENED AND SECURED, THROUGH THIS SECTION.

During a recent scouting trip, we saw many great blue herons and a bald eagle. We also floated past a neat and unusual sandstone? cliff about 75-100 feet high that appeared to have swallow nests near the top. Part of the run goes through Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Hope to see a nice turnout on the 15th. Depending on when we get off the river and how hungry or thirsty we may be, some may wish to visit the outdoor Weekend Eatery that also features live music at nearby Szalay’s Farm Market after the trip. Please post here or on the club Facebook page if you plan to attend or text or call me on 234-575-three six five zero. I need to know to get an idea of how many vehicles we will have. See below for trip logistics.

JP

Cuyahoga River – Cascade Valley Metro Park (Oxbow area) to Bolanz Road.
Date – Saturday, June 15, 2024
Meeting Time and Place – 9:30 a.m. at the put in (see below)
Distance - 10.3 miles
Lunch - Yes, please bring lunch for along the river.
Precautions - fluids and sunscreen; paddlers are asked to please wear their PDF properly zippered and/or fastened while on the river.

Put In - Cascade Valley Summit Metro Park (Oxbow area), 1061 Cuyahoga Street, Akron, OH. Drive to the cul-de-sac parking area at the end of the road after turning into the park. The put in is 500 feet from the parking lot. Approximate coordinates of the put in are 41.1220084, -81.5197613. Note that the street address for the Oxbow area and the coordinates of the Oxbow put in are in different locations.
Parking - for about 25 vehicles.
Shuttle - We will shuttle from the put in to the take out, about 8-9 miles, and return to the put in with as few vehicles as possible.
Restroom - in another area of the park that requires a short drive.

Take Out - near 1939-1959 Bolanz Road on the downstream side of the bridge on river right. Approximate coordinates are 41.2009485, -81.5684210. This is a small and unimproved take out that is short and narrow, but also steep and rocky at its base. Footing can be treacherous. Only one boat at a time will be able to exit the river.
Parking - We have permission from Szalay’s Farm to park 8-10 vehicles and two canoe trailers on its property off Bolanz Road. There is a National Park Service lot for about 50 vehicles about a quarter mile from the take out. It fills up on weekends with visitors to the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath. No parking signs are along both sides of Bolanz Road. Parking at the take out could be an issue depending on the number of people/vehicles who show up for the trip.
Restroom - There is a Park Service restroom across Bolanz Road from the parking area.

Water level guidelines for running the trip (U.S. Geological Survey gauge at Old Portage).
Minimum – Two years ago I ran this section below the Cuyahoga Street bridge at 2.43 feet and I estimated we had about an inch of water. The gauge during our scouting run was 2.96 feet and we had a couple inches of water. There is likely to be some bumping and scraping with the level in this range.
Maximum – to be determined.

There is not a lot of rain in the forecast as of Sunday, June 9. So this is likely to be a low water run.

06-09-2024, 09:17 AM	#1
JPTolson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salem, Ohio Posts: 910 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Cuyahoga River TCT friends and fellow paddlers, Please join us on Saturday, June 15 for a 10.3 mile trip down the Cuyahoga, aka The Crooked River, from the Oxbow area of Cascade Valley Metro Park in Akron to Bolanz Road in Peninsula. This very pleasant and interesting run features many class 1 rapids along the river’s winding channel. There are also several short class 2 rapids where good boat control or an alternate line, including a possible drag or carry, depending on water level, will be helpful. A WORD OF CAUTION: The most difficult part of the trip is likely to be a quarter mile from the put in. Here there are two trees in or hanging over the channel that must be avoided in the midst of fast current. Beginner or inexperienced paddlers or those without a quick paddle and good boat control may have difficulty at this point. There are a couple options for getting through this area safely. Which option will depend on water level and will likely require teamwork and cooperation of everyone in the group. IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR EVERYONE TO WEAR THEIR PFD, PROPERLY FASTENED AND SECURED, THROUGH THIS SECTION. During a recent scouting trip, we saw many great blue herons and a bald eagle. We also floated past a neat and unusual sandstone? cliff about 75-100 feet high that appeared to have swallow nests near the top. Part of the run goes through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Hope to see a nice turnout on the 15th. Depending on when we get off the river and how hungry or thirsty we may be, some may wish to visit the outdoor Weekend Eatery that also features live music at nearby Szalay’s Farm Market after the trip. Please post here or on the club Facebook page if you plan to attend or text or call me on 234-575-three six five zero. I need to know to get an idea of how many vehicles we will have. See below for trip logistics. JP Cuyahoga River – Cascade Valley Metro Park (Oxbow area) to Bolanz Road. Date – Saturday, June 15, 2024 Meeting Time and Place – 9:30 a.m. at the put in (see below) Distance - 10.3 miles Lunch - Yes, please bring lunch for along the river. Precautions - fluids and sunscreen; paddlers are asked to please wear their PDF properly zippered and/or fastened while on the river. Put In - Cascade Valley Summit Metro Park (Oxbow area), 1061 Cuyahoga Street, Akron, OH. Drive to the cul-de-sac parking area at the end of the road after turning into the park. The put in is 500 feet from the parking lot. Approximate coordinates of the put in are 41.1220084, -81.5197613. Note that the street address for the Oxbow area and the coordinates of the Oxbow put in are in different locations. Parking - for about 25 vehicles. Shuttle - We will shuttle from the put in to the take out, about 8-9 miles, and return to the put in with as few vehicles as possible. Restroom - in another area of the park that requires a short drive. Take Out - near 1939-1959 Bolanz Road on the downstream side of the bridge on river right. Approximate coordinates are 41.2009485, -81.5684210. This is a small and unimproved take out that is short and narrow, but also steep and rocky at its base. Footing can be treacherous. Only one boat at a time will be able to exit the river. Parking - We have permission from Szalay’s Farm to park 8-10 vehicles and two canoe trailers on its property off Bolanz Road. There is a National Park Service lot for about 50 vehicles about a quarter mile from the take out. It fills up on weekends with visitors to the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath. No parking signs are along both sides of Bolanz Road. Parking at the take out could be an issue depending on the number of people/vehicles who show up for the trip. Restroom - There is a Park Service restroom across Bolanz Road from the parking area. Water level guidelines for running the trip (U.S. Geological Survey gauge at Old Portage). Minimum – Two years ago I ran this section below the Cuyahoga Street bridge at 2.43 feet and I estimated we had about an inch of water. The gauge during our scouting run was 2.96 feet and we had a couple inches of water. There is likely to be some bumping and scraping with the level in this range. Maximum – to be determined. There is not a lot of rain in the forecast as of Sunday, June 9. So this is likely to be a low water run. Last edited by JPTolson; 06-10-2024 at 02:42 PM.