Clean off the cobwebs, spring kayak and camping at grayson lake

Thursday bonus paddle 3PM: Bruin to the Gimlets

Rating: (https://www.meetup.com/Bluegrass-Canoe-and-Kayak-Group/pages/Trip_Rating_Guidelines/) Intermediate, Medium Lake, No Flow, 6.5 to 11 miles, Moderate Pace, Full-service campground (other lodging nearby)

Meet at the Grayson Lake State Park (Bruin) ramp in time to push off at 3:00PM. Its less than 1 mile S on KY 7 from the park entrance. Plan is to paddle at least to Little Gimlet Creek/Lick Falls (photo below) area and back (6.5 miles) with the option of going on to Big Gimlet Creek after Little Gimlet, which adds another 4.5 miles.

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Friday 10:15am Paddlers choice of two trips from the same starting point, the Caney Creek Ramp GPS 38.1657, -83.0896 (6.5 miles S on KY 7, then 2 miles on KY 504)

Option 1: Caney Creek to Newfoundland Ramp & back

Rating: (https://www.meetup.com/Bluegrass-Canoe-and-Kayak-Group/pages/Trip_Rating_Guidelines/) Beginner, Medium River, No Flow, 7-9 miles, Leisurely Pace, Full-service campground (other lodging nearby)

Go down Caney Creek, cross over to the Little Sandy River where the Creek, River, and Lake meet (photo below) over to the Newfoundland Ramp for lunch. This is about 6.6-7.0 miles total out and back. For those who want a little more distance, you can go out into the main lake for a little bit to see the cliffs there when you cross that point again on the way back - there are some beautiful cliffs within a mile.

Option 2: Caney Creek to Twin Bays

Rating: (https://www.meetup.com/Bluegrass-Canoe-and-Kayak-Group/pages/Trip_Rating_Guidelines/) Intermediate, Medium River/Lake, No Flow, 11+ miles, Moderate Pace, Full-service campground (other lodging nearby)

Do the same Caney Creek paddle as the shorter trip, but head out into the main lake and on to Twin Bays. Lunch stop at Twin Bays, then back to the ramp. This is at least 11 miles.

Waterfalls, canyons, cliffs on both trips. The lake portion is a little wider and more prone to power boat traffic, but shouldn't be bad on a Friday.

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Friday evening....campground camaraderie...pot luck.

Saturday 10:00 am

First Part : Rating: (https://www.meetup.com/Bluegrass-Canoe-and-Kayak-Group/pages/Trip_Rating_Guidelines/) Beginner, Small Lake, No Flow, 6 miles, Leisurely Pace

Second Part: Rating: (https://www.meetup.com/Bluegrass-Canoe-and-Kayak-Group/pages/Trip_Rating_Guidelines/) Intermediate, Medium Lake No Flow, 4+ additional miles, Moderate Pace

Clifty Creek Boat ramp. Located on KY 7, approximately 1 mile north of the campground. GPS: 38.23069, -83.01206. This is an out and back paddle, appropriate for newbies and explorers. We will find the hidden grotto falls (photo below). A beautiful day on the water with rock palisades, scenic creeks and hidden waterfalls. There is no shuttle. Pack a lunch! Upon returning to the boat ramp, paddlers can opt for a longer day by going out into the main lake or a return to camp. This paddle will be 6 miles at a minimum. Plenty of time for rest and photos. Last year there were mountain laurel blooms floating everywhere and swallows nesting in the cliffs.

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Sunday 10:00 am

Rating: (https://www.meetup.com/Bluegrass-Canoe-and-Kayak-Group/pages/Trip_Rating_Guidelines/) Intermediate, Small River, No Flow, 8-12 miles, Moderate Pace

Exploration of the waterfalls in the Little Sandy River, Middle Fork of the Little Sandy River, and Newcombe Creek above Grayson Lake. Leave from the campground before 10 and meet at the Laurel Creek Ramp (Little Sandy Heritage Canoe Carrydown GPS: 38.11836, -83.10578), 8.6 miles S on KY 7, left on Laurel Curves Rd for .5 miles. Again, this is an out and back paddle. There are many waterfalls and creeks to explore in the area above the lake. Lunch at Killer Falls (photo of area below). This paddle is longer, 8 miles minimum, with the possibility of longer exploration.

Newcombe Creek adds several miles, so you can skip that for a shorter trip. Middle Fork of the Little Sandy was blocked most of last year, so couldn't take the full distance up there.

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Here's a map of the area with some of the mentioned places marked: http://files.meetup.com/6191952/GraysonLakeMapAnnotated.jpg

If you are camping with us, we need to know which days to make sure we have enough camp sites and parking. Currently have 8 sites, so can accommodate 32 people, but only 24 cars. If you don't let us know, we assume you are either day tripping or making your own arrangements.

Liability Waiver - By joining in this event you are acknowledging that you and your guest(s) have read and agree to abide by the Bluegrass Canoe and Kayak liability waiver. You can find this waiver on the Bluegrass Canoe and Kayak web site, at:

https://www.meetup.com/Blugrass-Canoe-and-Kayak-Group/pages/Legal_Waiver/

If you do not agree with said liability waiver, don’t show up!