The Global Paddling Community

Waterfall: USA, Vermont, Middlebury, Otter Creek, Fluffy Muffin Part Une et Deux

What's it like

Fluffy Muffin could quite arguably be the best undiscovered whitewater playground yet. Where else can you find a clean (for the most part) 18-foot waterfall and just ten yards downstream an awesome rodeo hole all within walking distance from your car.

Fluffy Muffin Part Une is a sheer 18-foot ledge that drops into a pool. The hole at the bottom is not too bad unless you run it at real high water. The landing is somewhat shallow, (about 6 ft deep) but a clean line off the boof-o-matic river-right side makes it not a big deal.

Fluffy Muffin Part Deux is a riverwide ledge hole below the falls. At lower water levels it is a cartwheel machine, especially if you like throwing left. At higher flows it takes a little more sack to get in there, but once you dial it ,there is no turning back. The recommended spot for throwing ends is on river-right.

There is a huge eddy on river right to climb back up in and if you swim and the river is flat water for the next 3 miles, so no big deal. Things to watch out for in the river include floating debris in the huge eddy as well as the occasional dead farm animal in early spring.

How to get there

Fluffy muffin is located in downtown Middlebury Vermont off route 125, In the center of town. Heading west on 125, there is a one-way side street called Mill St. Turn right and go down the steep hill (past Ben & Jerry's Yumm!!) and park in the municipal lot on the left. Put your stuff on here and carry back up Mill St. to scout the falls. If it looks good, run across 125 and down the alley past Woody's restaurant. Put-in anywhere along the river bank. You can also park up here if you don't feel like walking the hundred yards.

More info

For more information about Fluffy Muffin or any other awesome boating spots around the town of Middlebury call Fred Coriell +1 802 443 3714 or Justin Beckwith +1 802 443 3531. Or check out the website for the Middlebury Kayak Club.

Locals

Besides the very occasional fisherman, the only people you will meet there are hundreds of tourists eager to take your photo flying off the waterfall. It is not uncommon to look at the bridge when you are in the river and see it lined with people watching. The locals absolutely love it!

Events

There are tentative plans to hold a rodeo of some type involving the waterfall and hole in spring 2000.

Info sources

[mail address protected from spambots with javascript] , Middlebury Kayak Club