Paddle the Punkhorn Ponds, Brewster

Am trying to find a couple of new places for us to kayak this summer. It is extremely difficult to find a location that combines (1) parking, with no sticker required after June 15 and (2) paddling, while not seeing many houses. This new location meets those 2 criteria.

This group walks the dirt roads of Punkhorn Parklands and we always take a look at the pond from the kayak launch at the beginning of the walk; the shore seems to be mostly vegetation, with just a few homes. I paddled here years ago just once. The launch is really easy and parking is plentiful. If you decide to take a walk after the paddle, I believe that Punkhorn usually has the greatest deer tick density on the Cape.

I don't remember the ponds being all connected, but someone who knows much better than I wrote the following description:

"Three interconnected lakes form the headwaters of the Stony Brook/ Paines Creek watershed. The Town of Brewster owns much of the surrounding area, which preserves the pristine lake shorelines. We always see the nesting green heron and belted kingfishers. Black-crowned herons roost here and ospreys are always out fishing. Most of our native trees and shrubs are found here as well, and it is a paradise for sunning painted turtles."

We'll figure out the paddle route when we get there.

DIRECTIONS: Heading west on 6A in Brewster, pass Tubman on your left, then take a left fork OFF 6A onto Stoney Brook. Pass Paines Creek Rd, then take left onto Run Hill. Drive to the end.

Heading east on 6A, take right on Stoney Brook Rd. Pass Setucket/Satucket that comes in on your right.. take the next right onto Run Hill Rd. Go to the end.

The parking lot is on the left, with split rail fencing around it, just past the last house on the road. DRIVE PAST THE PARKING LOT a very short distance to find the kayak launch on the right. You should be able to back down the access road to the pond. There is a shed and rental kayaks there. Unload your kayak and park your car in the parking lot. Be in the water and ready to paddle at 10:00.