GREAT ISLAND, LONG ISLAND SOUND, CONNECTICUT RIVER kayaking

Jun 6, 2010 - GREAT ISLAND, Old Lyme, CT from boat launch at end of Smith Neck Rd. Connecticut River Estuary Canoe/Kayak Trail. Started ~3 hours before low tide. Great Island undeveloped, mainland lightly developed. After exploring the shallow bay behind Griswold Point went around the point & into Long Island Sound, played in moderate 1'+ waves. S wind was picking up so back (small standing waves created by wind opposing the current were interesting) & up a creek into the heart of Great Island. Back out & N up Judges Creek to Watch Rock, landing a bit rough but nice spot for a break. Poked into Duck River before heading back S. Just had to go back & look at Griswold Point at low tide - Sound now white-capped. Up the Black Hall River before calling it a day. Mute swans, lots of osprey, great & snowy egrets, gulls, terns, sandpipers, plovers, willet, crabs. My favorite place to paddle in CT - great variety, wildlife. 4 hours. WS Zephyr 160 Pro.

Sep 11, 2006 - CONNECTICUT RIVER, SELDEN CREEK & WHALEBONE COVE kayaking from Lyme, Ct. Launch next to Chester-Hadlyme Ferry ($3 cars). Tidal freshwater. Fairly peaceful on this Monday. Downstream (against incoming tide, of course) on river alongside undeveloped Selden Neck (an island) & campsites - forested & some rock. W shore of river has light development. Turned upstream (with incoming tide) into Selden Creek for 3 miles then back into river at N end of island - nice wide creek with shores of wild rice marsh, woods & rocky outcrops. Into Whalebone Cove past some cliffs, ponds to Roaring Brook road bridge. Mute swans, osprey. 10 miles, 4.5 hours. Swift Saranac 14, a 14' touring kayak. Walked up the hill from parking area to Gillette Castle - great view of river & ferry.

Sep 10, 2006 - GREAT ISLAND area kayaking, Old Lyme, Ct. Paddled thru break in Griswold Point & into LONG ISLAND SOUND (waves up to 1.5'), turned E for a bit then returned to lunch on the beach point with views across the sound & mouth of the Connecticut River at high tide. Up the BLACKHALL RIVER (light home development) for over 2 miles, returned with outgoing tide. Cut across Great Island's saltwater marsh to CONNECTICUT RIVER (some waves from motorboats), Lieutenant River & back on protected E side of island. Cormorants, ospreys, snowy & great egrets, gbh, mute swans, marsh hawk. Very interesting area. P&H Quest, a 17'7" sea kayak.

Visit us on Facebook

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

BOREAS PONDS in the Adirondack Park

UPPER HUDSON RIVER and OPALESCENT RIVER paddling, skiing, Adirondack Park.

HUDSON RIVER paddling, Thurman to Hadley.