Paddle Chase Garden Creek, Different route with a swim

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/8/e/a/event_160522762.jpegChase Garden Creek winds it's way into a beautiful marsh in YarmouthPort.

This is the best paddle for a group, so I post it several times during the summer, but let's take a different route this time. We'll start into the creek the usual way, but take the left turn and go as far as it goes, then retrace. We'll paddle back by the launch and go out into the harbor...some people may want to go far and others may want to go only as far as we start seeing houses. Then, we can land and take a swim on Chapin Beach. This alternate route will keep us away from the gun fire noise that we hear on weekend mornings. High tide in Barnstable Harbor is 9:20 AM.

The launch area is flanked on the left by a long boardwalk, where people go to see the sunset and the gorgeous views of Cape Cod Bay and a beach area on the right. There is an active osprey nest next to the boardwalk and five more osprey nests in the marsh.

No sticker is needed at any time for the very large paved parking lot. There are restrooms near the parking lot. This paddle combines a gorgeous kayak trip with an easy launch and the best parking of any launch we use on the Cape.

DIRECTIONS: From Rt.6, the Mid-Cape Highway, take exit 8 and go NORTH on Union St. to Rt 6A. Cross 6A, by going a tiny bit left to the left of a BP gas station to get on Old Church St. (If you miss that and are on 6A heading west, take the next right on Playground and head north...it will join Old Church St. ) About 0.3 mile up Old Church from 6A, bear right at the stop sign onto Center St. Go 0.5 mile on Center and at the T, take a left to stay on Center and drive until you are in the parking lot. Go BEYOND the parking lot and see the ramp just before the boardwalk. Unload and park your car in the lot.

Please leave enough time to travel and unload, so that you are in the water at 9:30.

All paddles are for experienced and energetic paddlers. This is not a place to "get experience on the water"...you need that experience before paddling with this group.

See you there..it's a great paddle.