Bashan Lake, East Haddam

Meet at 9:30 a.m. to paddle by 9:50 a.m. from the state boat launch past 76 Ballahack Road (Number 1), East Haddam (This is the address of one of the houses closest to the boat launch). Each circuit of this pristine 273-acre lake is about 4 miles, giving people the option of joining the group for one or two circuits. The lake has many interesting coves and islands to explore from the water. All land is private, except for the launch area, so we will stop back there for lunch. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. Paddlers must provide their own kayak/canoe and other equipment. Per group policy, a life jacket must be worn for the trip duration. Rain cancels. If the weather is uncertain, the leader will post an update by 7 a.m. the morning of the trip.

GPS track: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4984862919
Bashan Lake map: http://cteco.uconn.edu/maps/lake/bathymetry/Bathymetry_Bashan_Lake.pdf
State website for the launch: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Boating/Boat-Launches/Bashan-Lake-Boat-Launch
Directions: Take Rt. 9, Exit 10. At end of the long ramp, turn left on Rt. 154/Rt. 82 to the roundabout where you will turn right on Rt. 82 over the East Haddam swing bridge. After you pass the Goodspeed Opera House, follow Rt. 82 a couple of miles until the stop sign at the T- intersection of Rts. 151 and 82. Right on Rt. 82/Rt. 151 and take an IMMEDIATE left on Mt. Parnassus Rd. (past Shagbark Hardware store on left). At 2.8 miles, look for Ballahack Road on left, as indicated by a brown boat launch sign. The boat launch sign is on right side of Mt. Parnassus Rd. across from Ballahack Rd. Turn left on Ballahack Rd. (Number 1) and follow to the end (the last mile is a narrow, bumpy dirt road) to parking and launch area. There is a porta-potty at the launch site.