Depends upon the air temps and your\their tolerance to cooler water, but in
general I'de say late May or early June. Sooner if we get really warm air
temps. I really think your group will enjoy the Gap. There is one outfitter,
if you google and call a few.....that offers taking you and your group gear
included to the top for about 10-15 bucks a person and drop you off, well
worth it. To make a Thurs-Sun trip out of 30 miles, you will need to keep
your daily float to around 4-5. May start early Thurs evening, paddle for an
hour and find a site. Look for local clubs too that may have Pine Barrens
info. Good luck and have fun!
"Kernix" wrote in message
oups.com...
A weekend trip is what I'm thinking - actually Thurs night to Sunday
morning. Any idea when it will warm enough to swim? May?

Jim

Actually, I'll be going solo unless my one buddy can make it. For
Thursday, by the time I get up there it will be late so I'll probably
get a campsite. And what's the general speed again - 1/2 hr per mile?
I'm sure I'll stop a lot to take in the scenery - no rush.

http://www.packshack.com/ These are the guys that offered the shuttle service last time I lead this trip. If doing a solo trip, it's the way to go.
We would start at Milford and go to Smithfield beach typically, you can stretch it a little more....ask outfitter....here are some river maps.
http://www.nps.gov/applications/park...ermapnorth.pdf
http://www.nps.gov/applications/park...ermapsouth.pdf

The river moves rather well, you can do 10 miles without realizing it. No real white water though, just some sections with class I riffles. Actually there is another option people use......which would be to get a stationary campsite, and operate out of it doing day trips. There is a major put-in\takeout every 10 miles, if you have a partner for shuttle, you can do a different section each day, but it's more fun to get dropped off at the top and sefl support all the way down.
"Kernix" wrote in message oups.com...
Actually, I'll be going solo unless my one buddy can make it. For
Thursday, by the time I get up there it will be late so I'll probably
get a campsite. And what's the general speed again - 1/2 hr per mile?
I'm sure I'll stop a lot to take in the scenery - no rush.