Floating Trails link
Approx. 10 NM round-trip to Bakers Island from Magnolia Beach, Gloucester.
Paddle to Bakers Island with the intention of spending an hour or more there after landing. Appox.1.5 hrs each way over mostly open water including crossing the often busy Salem Sound Channel entrance (aka Stinkpot Alley) just off Bakers.
The island is worth more than a cursory lunch stop. There's ten acres to explore and Adirondack chairs on the east bluff.
Parking at Magnolia Beach is Gloucester residents-only but after offloading at the asphalt ramp there's plenty of parking a five-minute walk at the fire station or the variety store.
We'll pass Kettle Island and will likely see local kids jumping off the railings at Magnolia Pier. Kettle is home to hundreds of snowy egrets who fly to the inland marshes to feed and its stony beach is littered with well-worn beachglass.
Keep in mind there are no bailouts coming or going to Bakers other than the Misery Islands off Manchester or the handful of Manchester beaches, both private and public, west of Coolidge Point.
The cobble landing at Bakers is a little steep. If there's surge or waves we'll need to use the pitcher-catcher system to get everyone to land: strongest paddler (catcher) lands first to assist those who need help landing. Upon departing, second-strongest paddler (catcher) launches first to assist paddlers the strongest paddler (pitcher) helps launch from Bakers before finally launching on his or her own. With teamwork we can get this done.
I'd post the Manchester put-in to reduce distances but the Manchester put-in can result in a parking ticket.

Come join us at Chebacco Lake in Hamilton on Thursdays at 5pm until sunset though the summer. Practice strokes, rolls, rescues, falling out of your boat, or just watching kingfishers.  Dress for immersion.  A wetsuit is warm enough in early season, and keeps down the bruises from climbing back into your boat ten times a night.
We meet at the boat ramp at the south end of the lake, and hang out in the cove to the left of the ramp. You can either get off 128 at Pine st (exit 49) and head north, or find Chebacco road off Rt 22 in Essex. No entrance fees. Sign up below if you're coming.

A "Something" is a flexible paddle designed for any and all club members with no prescribed skill level. Our only goal is to have fun together safely! We will determine the route, distance and activities to fit the environment and the interests/comfort level of folks who come. All you need is basic equipment in safe working condition. That means a sea kayak with full deck lines and bulkheads, spray skirt, dress for immersion. Please bring a helmet if you want to play in rocks or surf.
Launch and registration details will be posted here in the week preceding the event.

Come join us at Chebacco Lake in Hamilton on Thursdays at 5pm until sunset though the summer. Practice strokes, rolls, rescues, falling out of your boat, or just watching kingfishers.  Dress for immersion.  A wetsuit is warm enough in early season, and keeps down the bruises from climbing back into your boat ten times a night.
We meet at the boat ramp at the south end of the lake, and hang out in the cove to the left of the ramp. You can either get off 128 at Pine st (exit 49) and head north, or find Chebacco road off Rt 22 in Essex. No entrance fees. Sign up below if you're coming.

A "Something" is a flexible paddle designed for any and all club members with no prescribed skill level. Our only goal is to have fun together safely! We will determine the route, distance and activities to fit the environment and the interests/comfort level of folks who come. All you need is basic equipment in safe working condition. That means a sea kayak with full deck lines and bulkheads, spray skirt, dress for immersion. Please bring a helmet if you want to play in rocks or surf.
Launch and registration details will be posted here in the week preceding the event.

A "Something" is a flexible paddle designed for any and all club members with no prescribed skill level. Our only goal is to have fun together safely! We will determine the route, distance and activities to fit the environment and the interests/comfort level of folks who come. All you need is basic equipment in safe working condition. That means a sea kayak with full deck lines and bulkheads, spray skirt, dress for immersion. Please bring a helmet if you want to play in rocks or surf.
Launch and registration details will be posted here in the week preceding the event.

PLEASE DO NOT RSVP UNTIL YOU HAVE SENT YOUR PAYMENT FOR THE GROUP SITE ONLY. 
Come join us for this second inter-club kayak camping event with NSPN and SMSKN. Home Base will be Lobster Buoy Campsites in S. Thomaston, Maine, gathered at the Group Site. Arrive early Saturday, depart Monday. Paddling options abound: NE to Owls Head, SE to Muscle Ridge, or SW to Port Clyde. These trips are not appropriate for beginners. Do not overestimate your abilities. Minimal skills to participate include wet exit, self and assisted rescue, and previous experience in ocean paddling with conditions of wind up to 15K, waves to 2 feet, and crossings up to 2.0M.  I will set a limit FOR THE GROUP SITE ONLY. Your spot will be secured when I receive payment ([$12.00 per person + $8.50 per car]/NITE) X 1.09 (tax; most will pay $22.35/nite) via paypal (PREFERRED; gyork at tdsdotnet) or check (Email [email protected]). 
If you prefer a private site, contact campground directly (280 Waterman Beach Rd, South Thomaston, ME 04858 Phone: (207) 594-7546).
You must E-sign the NSPN liability waiver for the current paddling season, found HERE.
When you RSVP, please send me a private E address for group correspondence.
Link to album of our previous outing 10 years ago HERE
PLEASE DO NOT RSVP UNTIL YOU HAVE SENT YOUR PAYMENT FOR GROUP SITE ONLY. 
You will receive full refund for your trip only if you cancel before 9 PM. on August 16, OR CHOOSE TO DONATE (ANY AMOUNT) TO ELLIE /LOBSTER BUOY CAMPSITES.

This 4 day event will be in its 11th year and is designed for NSPN folks to gather, socialize, and paddle in the Mount Desert Island area of downeast Maine.
This year’s retreat will be from Thursday afternoon Sept. 11th to Sunday afternoon Sept.14th, with group paddles each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Most people travel & arrive on Thursday afternoon or evening, and depart on Sunday afternoon. But some arrive sooner and leave later, and there will be an option for a Thursday paddle or other activity. Some participants also take days off from paddling for bicycling or hiking on the trails of Acadia National Park. 
Our base of operations will be at Rose Eden Cottages, a cottage resort with some 12 cabins between the Narrows and the town of Bar Harbor Bar Harbor, near Hadley Point.  We can gather at Rose Eden for car caravans to launch sites, and in the evening to socialize and plan next day’s trips. 
For those who plan to stay elsewhere, there is a wide variety of accommodations in the area, including nearby campgrounds which have been popular.
Accommodations are on your own. Make your own arrangements (including reservations, cancellations deposits , etc) for your entire stay during this event. You are encouraged to make reservations (at Rose Eden or elsewhere) as far in advance as possible.
Each day’s paddle trips planned the previous day, usually by some sort of meeting at Rose Eden or nearby.  
Some favorite destinations are: the Porcupine Islands off of Bar Harbor in Frenchman’s Bay, the Cranberry Islands on the south side of MDI, Bartlett Island and Sound, and the dramatic eastern shore of the island between Bar Harbor and Seal Harbor 
This is a rain or shine event, unlikely to be canceled  since there’s usually some place to paddle around MDI in all but harshest conditions, an­d there are many other activities in the area as an alternative. It’s a good event to bring family members who

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP ( check " I’m going") here in the Calendar Posting
A Group PM with all participants will start a few months before the event , for information sharing, planning and communication.
If you have any questions: contact  Peter Brady (PeterB on the message board)  by PM on the message board, or reply here.   


4. Friday Sutton!!.pdfSunday 5!JPG.pdf