Sunset Kayaking Lake Chodikee and the Black Creek, Ulster County
Details
Kayak Lake Chodikee and Black Creek
A beautiful, sparkling lake leads to a lazy winding river paddle amid lots of wildlife. A Great Blue Heron Rookery and abundant orange-winged blackbirds fly overhead. On one trip a Golden Eagle was seen. Expect to see turtles, beavers, and plenty of aquatic waterflowers on the paddle out and a beautiful setting sun on the paddle back.
Offering 4-6 miles of paddling from the lake down a calm stream though the country side. This is a good trip for kayaking novices.
We paddle a short distance, and exit the boats to view a scenic waterfall that inspired Walt Whitman's poetry that can be explored by foot.
Nineteenth Century John Burrough's Slabsides is a short one-mile hike away (two-miles roundtrip) which we will not visit but is well worth a visit by car to those with extra time to kill prior to the kayak launch. See the article written by AWAY Adventure Guide's owner linked here for historical significance of the area.
Launch: 6 pm
Estimated Yak Time: 3+ hours
Special Gear / Requirements: Kayak, lifevest, paddle, camera, sunblock, sweatshirt, sunglasses, bug repellant, water and snacks. Bring a headlamp as we will watch the sunset on the paddle and it may be dark at paddle's end.
Kayak rentals available ($65). Email AWAYAdventureGuide@gmail.com for details. Rentals come with lifejackets, paddles and transport of the boat to the put-in.
DIRECTIONS: Meeting at the DEC Boat Access parking lot on the right on N Chodikee Rd off Rt 299 in the Town of Lloyd. Veer to the left at the intersection once on N Chodikee Road. The side road is marked by a DEC-signed put-in to the lake.GOOGLE MAP:
Heavy rain will cancel, light drizzle or ominous skies will not.
NOTE: You are responsible for bringing appropriate gear, supplies, clothing, and first aid. You should have confidence in your swimming and self-rescue ability and know where you are, where you're going, and how to get back. Even if you rent a kayak, you assume full responsibility for your preparedness, welfare and well-being.
This is a calm paddling trip, but as with all kayaking trips there is a risk that your boat could capsize and you could get wet. Be prepared with a set of dry clothes in the car in case this happens to you.