News and Events
Whitewater Rafting and Camping Trip
October 13, 2007
Swallow Falls State Park and the North Branch of the Potomac River
Click to enlarge photos.
The Washington College Recreation Department and Wilderness Adventure Club sent seven students and two chaperones to explore western Maryland and northern West Virginia over Fall Break. The two-day excursion started with a drive across Maryland to our first destination, Swallow Falls State Park. After setting up camp, we ventured out into the park to see its main attractions. There were numerous waterfalls along a two-mile trail with the largest being a spectacular 63-foot drop.
After exploring the park, we began to prepare for our campsite cookout, which included homemade chili, rice, three kinds of marinated chicken, and appetizers. The meal brought everyone together, and as the temperature dropped, Mike Gillis prepped the fire for warmth and our dessert, roasted marshmallows and S'mores. After eating dessert we played games around the fire.
Bedtime was early because of the long day, but we also had to get up early to make it to the launch site for our whitewater rafting trip. We broke down camp and left Swallow Falls by 7:30 a.m., setting out for northern West Virginia and Jennings Randolph Lake. We caught up with our outfitter, who shuttled us up to the North Branch of the Potomac River. The water level was perfect because of the scheduled dam release. Everyone prepared for the cold air temperature and water with wetsuits, warm socks, splash jackets, helmets, and a PFD.
The trip down river lasted a couple hours with II-III+ rapids with the fall foliage providing a beautiful backdrop. A couple people who were thrown from their rafts into the cold water were quickly pulled to safety aboard the rafts. At the conclusion of the trip, our outfitter cooked a delicious lunch for the group, following which we changed into warm dry clothes, bade our guides farewell, and trekked back to Chestertown.
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782