Lake Champlain Sept. Paddle~ Near end of summer

It has been nearly a year since my last entry.  So without a long winded and boring excuse, (cough, facebook) I would like to write about a recent paddle trip I took on Lake Champlain.

Photo by Mike K.

Mike K. hanging out.

I was prepared to go it alone. Running rivers it's common to set a shuttle and frequently I use my bike to self shuttle. The route I had planned for day 1 was from Westport, NY to Beggs Park in Essex, NY. There is a road that parallels the lake around Split Rock Mountain, about a 14 mile leg. However it wasn't required as Mike K. joined me on what turned out to be a fantastic day of paddling.



The forecast called for five to ten knot winds out of the south. Winds out of the south can produce some very good sized waves and the long fetch can build some long troughs ideal in a 17' sea kayak. So for me the moderate wind was a plus as it would mean some surfing and some added boost as we were traveling south to north.

Palisades

There are three criteria that make a trip for me: scenery, challenging water, and a committed passage. This trip had all that. Split Rock Mountain drops off into the lake dramatically off cliffs known as the Palisades. There is limited spots to land and where there are, it can be difficult. Reflective waves off the shear rocks where 'confused' water make it even more... interesting.  Unlike a wave with a long trough, these waves are short, steep and nonuniform.

With the wind to our back we launched and headed north along the west shore. We pushed further out into the main body of the lake to take advantage of the waves and made excellent time. We played in and out of the coves of the Palisades and watched sailboats haul with the wind. Rounding the point to Essex there was a large Osprey nest and a light house. Mike K.'s camera had been stowed away since lunch as the wind was gusting into the 15 knot range at times. So no pictures.

Sail boat headed for a cove. Photo by Mike K.

We cut across the bay headed to Begg's Park and played in the waves, surfing our way in. After a short break we went back out to surf and headed further north watching for the ferry crossing. We surfed some nice swells out in the deeper water and some breaking waves closer to shore. On the return trip we could see the west bound ferry departing the Charlotte terminal.  As we headed south into the wind we kicked up the pace in an attempt to beat the ferry. With a football field to go the ferry Captain sounded his horn and we backed down. Rule of tonnage and all that...

and a little video of playing in the waves:

Thanks Mike! Great trip!