The Heart Of Darkness awaits you!
Geocache Identification Permit Approval Number: RSP2024111601
Permit Expires on: 16 NOV 2027
This is another in a series of Paddle caches I placed along the Ramapo and Pompton Rivers, and my first cache in a NJ State Park administered area. It replaces the original #13 at a better spot not far away.
The side channels are narrow, quiet, and overgown on the banks. Although you will never be more than a few hundred feet from civilization, it's not unusual to paddle this stretch of waterway and not see another human once you get off the main river. It's wonderfully peaceful and wild and especially muggle free. I love paddling here and come here several times a year. The landscape and wildlife change throughout the seasons.
The two rivers you will be paddling are usually very slow and placid. You will be bumping against submerged limbs and stumps, and will scrape against the bottom in shallow areas. When you scrape bottom, look around you. There will usually be an area a few inches deeper just a few feet away. During dry spells you may hit a shallow spot where you have to get out and pull your boat for 10-20'. However, after a significant rain event or flooding, the rivers can get very fast and angry, so don't go during or after these events. If you arrive at the boat launch and the water is swirling and moving fast, DO NOT GO!
Expect to find channels blocked by downed trees. When you do, reverse course and go around it. Think of these channels as a maze. Use the online map as a guide, but keep in mind it is not entirely accurate. Some channels that are displayed as open are completely blocked, and there are small openings between channels that do not appear on the map.
You can also expect to see a variety of wildlife along the way:
Birds - Blue Heron, Green Heron, Swans, Canada Geese, Ducks, Red Tailed Hawks, Ospreys, if you are lucky, a Bald Eagle
Fish - Bass, Picerel, Carp, Fall Fish (a big minnow), Catfish, & Northern Pike
Mammals - Deer, Fox, Muscrat, Weasels or Mink, & River Otters (if you are lucky)
Turtles - I don't know all the variety, but in the clearer channels you might get to see a large North American Snapping Turtle
Here are some recommended items you'll need for this caching series:
Kayak or canoe
PFD
Short length of Rope to keep yourself from drifting as you open containers under overhanging branches
Water
Pen
Snacks or Lunch
Camera
Binoculars
Sunscreen (although if you go early in the day in the summer, you will be in the shade most of the time)
Bug spray - Bring it - use it if you need it. On the water it is not as buggy as it is on the trails
Dishwashing liquid - If you happen to brush against poison ivy while answering the call of nature, slather up your calf or ankle and rinse it off in the river. The toxin is carried in the oil on the leaves and detergent will take it right off before it has a chance to react if washed off quickly. Hand sanitizer and a paper towel will work too
Extra batteries - for your GPS
This area can be disorienting with its twisting, turning, maze of channels. Should you lose your GPS device in the water or if it stops working for any reason, Don't Panic! Here are two simple rules to follow to get you back to the boat launch without any navigational devices (you might want to jot this down):
Clear water - You are on the Pompton River. Follow it downstream til it gets murky (The Ramapo River) - green in summer, brown in other seasons. It may lead you through a different channel than you paddled in on, but it will take you back to the Ramapo River.
Murky water - You are now on the Ramapo River. Follow it upstream and it will take you back to the boat launch.
If you go in the winter or early spring, the Ramapo can clear up. The Ramapo River is considerably wider than the Pompton River and has homes along the eastern bank. When you can see houses and the river is wide, head upstream and that will get you back to the boat launch.
All the caches are simple containers, either camo taped preforms or recycled drinking bottles.
You are looking for a camo taped preform on a branch overhanging the river. This one should be very easy.
Have fun and don't forget to keep an eye out for the local wildlife!
