Castle Neck and Essex Bay - 2 January 2006

[bob budd]

From an undisclosed location on Conomo Point we four ventured out into the frigid waters of Essex Bay. To circumnavigate Castle Neck was our goal, and circumnavigate we did. The message traffic talking up the day as the best of the weekend was remarkably prescient. The sun hung high in a nearly cloudless sky for the duration of our time on the water. There was the odd eider and guillemot to greet us along the way.

At the beach Roger insisted in rolling his new/old Greenlander Pro, even after the loud noises he made whilst dipping his face in the drink. He snapped up rapidly, perhaps driven by the water temperature, and we headed off to the ocean.

Breakers were seen at the end of Crane’s beach, and there was bouncing to be had, though moderate it was. Further along we took a few rides in the surf. I learned that it’s a bad idea to set up for a roll on the beach side of one’s capsized boat. As the wave pushed me in I was able to do a “paddlestand” and get the boat to flip over my body which also dragged me out of the boat. Further along Walter had a similar experience but nothing serious came of the modest surf that soon disappeared.

As we headed into Ipswich Bay Walter told us of the folklore surrounding Indian Joe of the Conomo Indians, the PT boat moorings, and the submarine pens. Having traveled Fox creek this summer at a much lower tide, it was interesting to look out across the marsh instead of up at the muddy banks of the tributaries. The outgoing tide produced enough current for Roger to pull off his hood to cool off, blinding all of us momentarily.

Once back in Essex bay we sought the back side of Hog island. As we landed Walter put on a rolling and re-rolling demonstration. Up he did come and we hit the beach. Roger was not to be enticed to another roll.

[Brad Fournier]

Hi, i am thinking of putting in in Ipswich (center,oh where can I park?) and paddling donw to the bay and then through Fox creek and over to castle neck river and hen toward castle hill, where we hope to take out. i have never done this trip and am wondering if it is tide sensitive and what type of kayak would be minimum to use, we have flatwater kayaks. Thanks brad.

[bob budd]

I don't have experience further inland than where Fox Creek crosses between Essex Bay and Plum Island Sound. The first time I circumnavigated Castle Neck we were very worried about Fox Creek being dry during the low tide cycle but now would expect it to be passable roughly 1/2 of the tide cycle (around high tide). I would suggest you do the research on tide cycles for the area. Use a sight like http://www.tidesonline.com/ and go to the site at dead low tide to see what the launch, etc. are like.

You said "flatwater kayaks" which I take to mean recreational boats. I would recommend you not do this trip at all in those craft. At the right tide conditions the currents in the area of Fox Creek and out to the ocean can be strong. Nearby is the place where two experienced kayakers recently got helicopter rides. Many of us see rec boats away from land off of Cape Ann in the summer, paddlers in t-shirts and swim suits, and shake our heads. While the air is warming the water is never very warm hereabouts. I would note that the above kayakers were well dressed yet as rescue approached at least one of them began to suffer from the cold.