14/07/2026
Last week I got the brilliant idea of launching my kayak into the Susquehanna River at the boat launch just below the dam to see if I could paddle up Shamokin Creek—and, if I could, just how far upstream I could make it.
It was a terrible idea. 🤣
First, I didn't realize how far down the river I'd have to paddle just to reach the mouth of the creek. It's a full mile from the boat launch! Along the way I passed the shoreline I had helped clean up back in April—something that now feels like another lifetime ago—and spotted a Great Blue Heron, along with a massive Snapping Turtle and a Green Heron that unfortunately refused to pose for photos.
Turning up Shamokin Creek, I quickly realized this wasn't going to be as easy as I'd imagined. I had greatly underestimated how shallow the creek would be and had to get out several times to drag my kayak through the shallows until I reached deeper water. Along the way I saw what had to be the largest Muskrat I've ever encountered, as well as a family of Common Mergansers.
After about an hour of fighting my way upstream, I had only managed to cover roughly three-quarters of a mile before running into another long stretch of shallow water. Since it was getting late, I decided it was time to turn around. Rather than paddling all the way back to the river, I tried a wide side channel that looked like a shortcut toward the boat launch.
It wasn't.
Most of it was dry, leaving me to carry my kayak for about a third of a mile across rocks, only stopping to paddle through the occasional deeper pools.
Finally reaching the river again, I had one last challenge: about 75 yards of paddling upstream against the Susquehanna's current to reach the boat launch. I was paddling as hard as I could and felt like I was moving about an inch at a time...but eventually I made it.
In the end, it was absolutely worth spending the afternoon on the water, but I can't honestly recommend trying to recreate this particular adventure. 🤣
