Canoe Tripper Gathering

[Kayak_Ken]

“We should definitely do, as you suggest, a Canoe Tripper Gathering with feasts and fun and games! Once this bloody covid mess is solidly behind us all, let's put our heads together on that“

I would like to make a suggestion about a Canoe Tripping Gathering, Since CT has many members spread out maybe have a couple of different locations depending on the weather for the time of year. Let’s start with a Winter gathering down in Florida, a Spring gathering somewhere in the North East and a Fall gathering somewhere in Canada.

Kayak_Ken (in a canoe)

 

[memaquay]

I've got lots of suggestions for the Canadian gathering, if you don't mind a long drive, lol.

 

[sweeper]

We can't cross the border

 

[yellowcanoe]

Spring in the N E depends on what part of the NE you are referring to.. In Maine ice out on the desirable canoe tripping lakes is not till around May 10. Other parts of the NE like PA much earlier ( and far away for some like me)
We will be at Cathedral Pines Campground in Eustis at the end of the month doing day trips. Stop by if you are in the area. Its about 12 miles from Quebec. Our intent is to catch the fall colors before leaf drop. Fall is already early we have color change starting. I wouldn't want to canoe anywhere else but here or the Daks then.

A Black Fly gathering in June will guarantee no crowds and good high water.

 

[yknpdlr]

Looking out my window now from my home near the western Adirondacks, I see the orange tinge appearing on several maples. Some particular trees in the area are noted as early color changers and they begin fully changing even during the last half of August. I usually figure a week to 10 days before Columbus day weekend as at or past the peak color. Reminds me, I still have plenty of firewood to get cut and split.

 

[Robin]

There was a small gathering of CT members a few years ago at Lows Lake, maybe 7-8 people, and another one at Little Tupper Lake a year or two later. A fall gathering in the ADKs is really nice. We even had a member come from Canada as he was closer than a lot of folks from the states.

Here’s some pics from Lows,
Grandpa Paddler on the left, Robin on the right.


Day trip over to Bog Lake, what a great day that was.

 

[Guest]

I’m willing to help, or at least ponder consideration questions.

For starters, paddle-in gathering, or waterfront base car camp with day paddles, even if some variety of day paddling required a quick, nearby self-shuttle?

Paddle-in group trips become tricky finding sites that will accommodate multiple paddlers. 8 or 10 attendees usually means 8 or ten tents, which greatly lessens the single backcountry site opportunities. One possibility is a paddle-in venue with multiple “sites” all off the same camp landing, or some expansive river sandbar that will host dozens of tents (provided no one is already there).

Base car camper with day paddles is perhaps easier. State, Nat’l or other Park. It that guise reservable sites would be a boon. Planning a gathering for the less crowded off-season can only help, although beware Raystown during Penn State home games (maybe not a problem this year).

I would road trip a considerable ways for a group gathering. Albeit not to the Northwood during blackfly season. Despite the off-season snow-bird crowds nn expansive Suwannee sandbar in winter might work, especially if a couple folks got there a day or two early and claimed sugar sand conquest.

Still, that’s a long dang ways from our more northern breather. I will throw one further hitch in the works. Weather.

Y’all say “Pfffttt, weather”. Not rain or cold, we can all deal with that. I’m thinking pre-scheduled downriver trip, and crapola, there is a drought and the river is near bone dry. Or an open water lake or coastal bay paddle and, nope, it is blowing like stink, and isn’t predicted to stop for days on end.

The Assateague Nat’l seashore along Chincoteague Bay on the Maryland coast seems ideal for an off-season gathering; multi-tent sites at 2.5, 5, 9.5 and 13 miles down the bay from the launch. The first three, Tingles, Pine Tree and Green Run, would EACH easily accommodate 20 tents on multiple nearby sites.

But, it is too often windy on Chincoteague Bay (Eh Alsg?).I have been Nor-easter no-permit issue skunked there, and had too many high wind trips blown to heck. Never again something group pre-planned and scheduled in advance for windy Assateague.

I’ll throw this possibility in an as off-season, less wind prohibitive possibility. Hammocks Beach State Park on the NC coast.

https://www.ncparks.gov/hammocks-beach-state-park/home

2.6 mile marked paddle trail, east through the largely wind-protected mash, out to the island. 14 sites along Bear Island.

https://files.nc.gov/ncparks/maps-an...d-map-2020.pdf

Awesome NC Atlantic beachfront to wander, with day paddling opportunities including the Huggins Island Maritime Forest and the backside of Bear Island. And cool artillery practice booms and low-level Marine Corps flyover stuff from Camp Lejeune. Learn to live with it, love it or leave it.

https://files.nc.gov/ncparks/maps-an...trails-map.pdf

There is still unforeseen weather to consider on the NC coast, and tidal awareness, but that one is usually do-able.

Let’s put our thinking caps on and come up with other multi-site venues that might work.

 

[alsg]

I

But, it is too often windy on Chincoteague Bay (Eh Alsg?).

One hundred percent of the time, based on my sample size of one.

 

[Alan Gage]

Just spitballing ideas but I think if Canoetripping is going to sponsor a get together it would probably be best for there to be one large gathering. Some people won't be able/willing to drive that far but that will always be the case. If individual members wish to host/co-host regional gatherings that would be great too but they should be secondary to the main event.

I'd also vote for a large public space for the gathering that's easily accessible by car. Like Mike said trying to pre-arrange for a large group trip into back country could be problematic for a variety of reasons. Maybe a 2 day gathering at a local state/county/provincial park campground with adjoining lake/river access for day paddles with a canoe trip to follow for those interested in joining. Gives folks the opportunity to just stop by and put faces to names or to go on the group canoe trip.

Alan

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

In August 2011 the ancestor of this site had the SoloTripping.com Gathering at Glenn Lake in Wilderness Caribou Provincial Park. To get to the meeting place, some of us had to drive what seemed like thousands of miles, paddle in hundreds of miles, and portage dozens of miles. The organizer flew in on a seaplane with steaks and beer. I dropped out at the last minute because I don't drink beer and cooking steaks is beyond my kitchen skills. However, some members of this site attended.

See HERE and HERE.

Kayak Ken is in the perfect place for an early or late winter gathering, the Ocala National Forest in central Florida. A cornucopia of fresh water base camp trips is available in that area.

 

[yellowcanoe]

My nominee Spent four days there this year.Two mile sheltered paddle followed by a mile of open water. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXU8WdrJ2vY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFaWgrmg9Kw

 

[Kayak_Ken]

Second suggestion for Florida would be if Mike could talk to Joel about putting together a CT trip through the Everglades.

Kayak_Ken (in a canoe)

 

[goonstroke]

What about Seboeis Lake? Maybe not as nice as Lobster, but easier to get to, just a few miles off of a paved state highway. Dcloots wrote it up not long ago:
https://www.canoetripping.net/forums...ands-july-2020
http://www.maine.gov/dacf/parksearch...seboeismap.pdf [PDF]

It has both water access (5 of them within a couple miles of the put in) and road access campsites. Also, it's free, as in beer, which never hurts.

Edit: further thought, I nominate dcloots as camp chef.

 

[yellowcanoe]

Everglades is good but backcountry.. The chickees have load limits ( six on a 12x12 platform is an interesting exercise in logistics),. The closest beach site to Everglades City Jewel is five miles away from land. And can be an issue bucking the tide if timing is wrong.. Tidal range is low but there is still a LOT of current. The closest site to Flamingo is Clubhouse and just plain ick with sandburs etc. ( and on a hiking trail)

Sebeois is OK . Donnell Pond offers a variety of ways to get in.. Boat in or walk in to Schoodic Beach. Boat launch in a cottaged cove but once you leave the cove there is no development. Also a network of hiking trails up mountains like in Acadia ( which you can see from surrounding mountain tops)
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parksearch/PropertyGuides/Maps/FullSize/donnellpondmap.pdf

 

[Guest]

What about Seboeis Lake? Maybe not as nice as Lobster, but easier to get to, just a few miles off of a paved state highway.

It has both water access (5 of them within a couple miles of the put in) and road access campsites. Also, it's free, as in beer, which never hurts.

Seboeis sounds like the winner thus far. Folks arriving early could stay the night in a road access site before paddling in.

Two past group gathering venues that came to mind both have downsides.

The Senoia loop at Raystown, long host to the well attended Paddle-and-Compare weekends, has waterfront sites situated on a huge no-wake cove. But it also has RV neighbors and power boats. Plus the sites are $35 a night USD, and the nearest river is too often boney shallow.

The Milburn Landing area of Pocomoke River State Park, in the past, worked well. We held club group trips there once a year for 25 years running, sometimes as many as 70 people on 25 sites. Milburn has gravel pads, grass sites, even mini-cabins. Waterfront site access to the tidal Pocomoke, located between Snow Hill and Pocomoke City Maryland if anyone is curious.

The (thereabouts tidal) Pocomoke River is especially nice for evening/night floats; put in at Snow Hill 8 miles north or Pocomoke City 4.8 miles south and let the timed tidal flow carry you back to camp. That was always a special joy; have folks who aren’t night paddling drop you off, float back to camp and done.

Within a 30 minute drive of Milburn there are three different river/creek runs; the upper non-tidal Pocomoke River, Nassawango Creek and Dividing Creek. All gems, each in a different way.

But, all Maryland parks went no-alcohol-permitted a few years ago. When that prohibition happened the Rangers and even local/State police started doing very frequent patrols through the campground loop.

I can live with that, I’m willing to quietly and discretely sip from a lidded coffee tumbler around the campfire. But a vehicle patrolling past once an hour, every dang hour, slowly, eyes watching, (nose sniffing), waiting to pounce on some violation was big-brother disheartening.

About the Seboeis “It’s free, as in beer”, please clarify. Does that mean it is free of beer, as in prohibited? Or feel free to bring beer? Or – be still my heart – the beer is actually free, DaveO will buy a keg from the coffers?

Two of those possibilities work for me.

 

[dougd]

I would love to go back to Seboeis again. We camped on an island near the bottom of the lake back in 2000. I could do that!

 

[goonstroke]

...
But, all Maryland parks went no-alcohol-permitted a few years ago. When that prohibition happened the Rangers and even local/State police started doing very frequent patrols through the campground loop.

I can live with that, I’m willing to quietly and discretely sip from a lidded coffee tumbler around the campfire. But a vehicle patrolling past once an hour, every dang hour, slowly, eyes watching, (nose sniffing), waiting to pounce on some violation was big-brother disheartening.

About the Seboeis “It’s free, as in beer”, please clarify. Does that mean it is free of beer, as in prohibited? Or feel free to bring beer? Or – be still my heart – the beer is actually free, DaveO will buy a keg from the coffers?

Two of those possibilities work for me.

Oy, seriously dry? That sounds like a boarding school one would want to escape from. Not Merry Land at all.

I meant free as in no cost, but perhaps it's also free as in freedom, or at least the freedom to enjoy a drink around the campfire. No vehicles operated after imbibing, consenting adults only, etc.

IIRC Seboeis is the Abenaki word for "the lesser of two", such as the smaller fork of a river. So if there was free beer at Seboeis (and I'm not saying there is!), it might be Bud Lite.

...
Sebeois is OK . Donnell Pond offers a variety of ways to get in.. Boat in or walk in to Schoodic Beach. Boat launch in a cottaged cove but once you leave the cove there is no development. Also a network of hiking trails up mountains like in Acadia ( which you can see from surrounding mountain tops)

I like Donnell as well, and the paddle/hike thing is the yin/yang of the outdoors (as w/Lobster). They both have some motorboats, but so does everywhere that's easy to get to. Donnel is smaller, and I find I go there if it want to hike or swim but not so much if I just want to paddle.

 

[yellowcanoe]

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parksearch/PropertyGuides/PDF_GUIDE/seboeisguide.pdf

Three sites are accessible by normal vehicle. The ones on the road to Endless Pond require something higher if you expect to take your exhaust system home with you.

The nice thing is Millinocket is close if you forgot beer. Also beer and booze are sold in Hannafords the closest grocery store. ( about 15 min away)

We may have to choose timing carefully.. Fishing season it should be busy.

 

[LanceR]

Bud Lite? We'd have to stage an intervention. Friends don't let friends drink lite beer! If Robin or someone else brought a square stern we could improve its trim with a keg of good beer......

If the chosen location lent itself to it and depending on the group size I have both standard and deep 12" and 14" camp Dutch ovens along with some smaller ones and a couple of reflector ovens..... And in keeping with the glamping thread how would a beef rib roast or a pork roast sound? Or a big venison round roast?

I suspect that for many of us the determining factor might well be distance. We're pushing 900 miles to the northern Adirondacks and 1000-1100 miles to the Maine locations discussed. As far as the ADKs go I have family scattered across NY so that trek would be easier to break up travel-wise.

Still Maine could work out especially if there was an opportunity to link up with someone and share some of the driving. Of the sites mentioned Hammocks Beach SP in North Carolina is the closet but as it is south of even me it would be a really long trek for the northern wing of the clan.

Best regards,


Lance

 

[Guest]

If individual members wish to host/co-host regional gatherings that would be great too but they should be secondary to the main event.

I like the idea of secondary regional events at different times and places, and may, uh, do something like that next fall.

“Do”, I was searching for a word that wasn’t “plan” or “host” or, egads, “organize”, but more like “I’ll be paddling at this place in two weeks. Plenty of adjacent camp sites, please feel free to join me”.

. Of the sites mentioned Hammocks Beach SP in North Carolina is the closet but as it is south of even me it would be a really long trek for the norther wing of the clan.

Lance, I have been smitten with off season paddle-in trips to Hammocks Beach since the first time I visited, and have been back several times. Easy-peezy (short) marked canoe trail out, beautiful beach, some day paddling opportunities and awesome hiking both along the beachfront and in/over/behind the dunes. Probably decent surf fishing if that’s your thing.

The artillery practice booms and Marine aviation flyovers are, for me, a weird treat.

If you and Nancy are looking for a long weekend paddle-in getaway this fall I highly recommend it. Easy trip out and back if you get the tides right; use the tidal predictions for Bogue Inlet here:

https://www.saltwatertides.com/dynam...linasites.html

Plus an hour lag for tides at the mainland launch a couple miles in shore from the inlet.

Of course North Carolina State Parks are no-alcohol-permitted, but I’ve never seen a Ranger at the paddle in sites, only at the office when getting a permit.