PeterB Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 (edited) Saddleback Island Retreat: Stonington, Maine. July 19-22 Note: Trip is now full, and there is a wait list. Please contact PeterB by PM if you are interested in this trip. You can then be updated by PM. This will be the 5thNSPN midsummer retreat to Saddleback Island in the Stonington Archipelago. We have reserved the Saddleback Cabin from the Maine Coast Heritage Trust for the nights of July 19 to July 21. Saddleback will be our base camp; a wonderful rustic cabin equipped with bunkbeds , kitchen, fireplace, gas stove and kitchen wares; there is also a privy. This area with its innumerable islands is generally agreed to be one of the best paddling destinations anywhere on the East coast. The plan will be to launch from Old Quarry Adventures Campground on Friday midday /early afternoon for a protected paddle of 2.5 nm to Saddleback Island, with day trips (probably one to two groups depending on weather conditions and group preferences) on Saturday and Sunday, returning to Old Quarry on midday Sunday for the drive home . There is also the option to launch from Nauskeag. This is a 5.25 nm paddle. There is a parking fee and showers at Old Quarry: no parking fee at Wooden Boat, but a longer more challenging paddle. This will be a trip for levels 2-4, and a level 2-friendly trip! On past trips our paddling options have ranged from very mellow rambling amongst the chain of islands in the archipelago , to a grand circumnavigation of Isle au Haut. So this trip is fit for L2 to intermediate to advanced paddlers. Requirements for this trip are to be well equipped with paddling gear for midsummer (boat, pfd, a wetsuit or wetsuit pants with drytop, etc: some prefer drysuits ) and to bring food and water and personal effects for the weekend. Water temperatures are in the 50’s , air temperatures are in the 70’s-80”s. Weather is variable, from perfect sunny midsummer weather to rain, wind, and fog. Fog is likely at some time or other, and part of the trip may involve navigating and prudent paddling in the fog, in which case there will be someone to lead any group of paddlers inexperienced or uncomfortable paddling in the fog. Trip limit is 6. The cabin accommodates 6 persons, in accordance with the rules set by MCHT. A fee of $87.50 paid in advance reserves your spot on this trip. The cabin has been reserved for $525 (that’s $175 a night) so the six participants share in these expenses.Please RSVP (I'm going') along with your payment in the calendar posting on July 19th In the month before the event, when a group has been set we will communicate by group PM to plan details for the trip The cabin has a bunk beds, a kitchen with gas stove, and kitchenwares, and an outhouse/privy. Trip members must bring their own water, food and personal effects (sleeping bag etc) There is a camp cooler there for food storage. Looking forward to great paddling in a great location! Edited April 24, 2019 by PeterB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 I'm going, Peter! Can't wait. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcotton Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 I'm going! Can't wait! Janice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMonroe Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 I’m going. I just sent you the dough via PayPal. Eager to see you all and paddle together. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pintail Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 (edited) PeterB, I am going to try to get that weekend <off>, so (tentatively), will you please keep one place open for moi-meme? It is high-time... (Forgive me: I cannot remember the correct alternate for typing the circumflex in "meme"!) Edited April 17, 2019 by Pintail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share Posted April 18, 2019 (edited) Christopher et al It looks like the cabin is full already, so there is now a wait list. But It is possibe that another NSPN group may be staying at the primitive campsite site on Saddleback island at the same time The camping group would be semi autonomous, use the campsite and provide water, food and Leave no trace (carry out waste) for themselves, in accordance with MCHT island use guidelines. (the main thing is that the island privy use needs to be managed) but we could paddle, and perhaps eat and hang out together . We can all communicate between now and then about the whole weekend. Edited April 21, 2019 by PeterB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detorres Posted April 20, 2019 Share Posted April 20, 2019 Peter Interested in the campsite option. Pablo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeP Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 I am also interested in the campsite option, perhaps as a stop between points sw and ne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethS Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 (edited) I'm interested in the campsite option as well, is there a signup for it? Do we need to reserve the site ahead of time, or just plan on coming? According to the Maine Coast Heritage Trust site, groups of 6 or more have to call ahead 207 729 7366 Edited May 10, 2019 by BethS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted May 11, 2019 Author Share Posted May 11, 2019 Beth et al, If you are definitely planning on camping at the Saddleback campsite, please rsvp on the calendar posting this trip, so that we'll be able to have a list of the total number of paddlers in the area for the weekend , and communicate in the weeks beforehand. The Saddleback campsite is also a Maine Coast Heritage trust site; there is a limit of 5 campers. (6 or more by permissoin only) There is no fee for the campsite. Campsite users will be autonomous, meaning : responsible for their own food and a water, and must pack out their waste. It is important that campers not use the island privy as the cabin limit was lowered to 6 persons largely because of privy use/overuse. Otherwise, we can paddle together , hang out together or intersect when it makes sense to do so. Camp At Established Campsites Only Limit Stay to 2 Nights Groups of 6 or More and Commercial Users by Permission Only. Please call 207-729-7366. Fires by Permit Only - Maine State Law. Contact Maine Forest Service at 207-827-1800 for Permit. Keep All fires Below High Tide Line Do Not Cut or Break Tree Limbs, Dead or Alive Leave No Fire Unattended Completely Extinguish All Fires Please Respect Privacy of People Using the Cabin Foot Traffic Only Carry Out All Trash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethS Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 I'm a definite yes for the camping option! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glad Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 I'm sorry to miss this trip with you all. I love Saddleback. I have my yearly family extravaganza at the cape that week. Have a great time. Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethS Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 Unfortunately I won’t be able to join you in the camping contingent, Have to work part of the weekend ? Have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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