nancysan

Sounds tempting. Have yet to make one of these... Maybe.

One of my favorite launch spots during shoulder seasons. I am glad there is non-resident parking now, even though a little hike. I used to just wing-it along the road near the resident/clam beach/launch, but never knew what might happen.

Hi Natalie, I knew directions had been posted in the past. I searched in the search field and it came up a few times. Here is one I copied for all who might need it: Directions to Gould Barn: From the south, take Rt. 1 north exit off of Route I-95. Follow that to Rt. 97 west into Topsfield. At the stop sign, the library will be on your left and a small side street immediately before the stop sign is on your right - that is East Common Street . Take a right onto this street and park in the lot on the right that is for the Emerson Center/Congregational Church. From the north, take I-95 south to the Topsfield Rt. 97 exit. Proceed to Congregational Church on the right and Town Common on the left. Make a left turn onto Route 97 East, for 1/2 a second and then take a SHARP left onto East Common St and park in the lot on the right that is for the Emerson Center/Congregational Church. There is some parking on the street or at the far left end of the church lot closest to the Barn.

lol

Just as an aside, I have major problems with the very same paddle model, though mine is bent shaft. I gave it up it was such a problem. I once took it to NESC and Joel got it apart when no one else or no other method worked. It has never worked right since. Should have sent it to Werner back when it was relatively new.

Guess I'm ultra conservative on that one. I try to avoid anything outside of two hours or so on either side of the tide through Fox Creek. I get claustrophobic. I *think* I finally figured out how to be sure to find the right inlet in from the other direction now, which should help me in the future. (lol)

For anyone interested, I tracked our course on Google Earth, and without meandering creek data, it looks like our trip was about 12 miles long. I also tracked my trip along the front of Crane's and back to Pavilion a few days prior, and it came to 10 miles taking into consideration going around the sandbar and being pretty far out from the beach.

Thanks, Al. I had a fantastic time and got to know some very nice paddlers. Everyone was great. Wish you could have joined us.

Fantastic reading (and gawking). What a treat to read about this. Would I ever even attempt 1/4 as industrious an outing... ??? Thanks for sharing.

Eight of us set out from Pavilion Beach in Ipswich to cross the Ipswich River mouth and enter Fox Creek, out to the Essex Bay and over to Crane's back side for lunch and then headed back through the bay and up the creek for a beautiful and uneventful day on the water. Thanks to all who came with me. Here are just a few pics.

Reason for trip change: SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM EDT SUNDAY THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING TONIGHT NW WINDS 10 TO 15 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 20 KT. SEAS 3 TO 5 FT. SUN NW WINDS 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING W 5 TO 10 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 3 TO 5 FT.

Hi Everyone, I will not be back on this board until tomorrow. NOAA forecast has had a clear 3 to 4 foot wave range along the shore of the open ocean area of Crane, and since this is at most a level 3 trip, I think it is safe to assume that we will modify the trip as I described earlier today. Please be aware that when we are in Fox Creek, we need to stay to the side for safety as motor boats do still come through there at decent speeds from time to time and visibility can be short because of the meandering creek, especially when it isn't full high tide. Temp. is predicted to be 69, with plenty of sun, so bring layers to stay comfortable. Bring plenty of water, snacks, lunch as you require for 3+/- hours. As far as I know, there are no bathrooms at Pavilion or at the backside of Crane's where I'd like to stop for lunch, but there is plenty of beach. As with most "formal" NSPN trips, it is expected that if you start with us, you stay with us. Depending on how many, we may break in to pods. I'll be at the beach at 10am and plan on beach briefing at 10:20, launching by 10:30 sharp, as Fox Creek is best on either side of high tide and impossible if it gets too low. Thanks and looking forward. Nancy

Hi Everyone. Checking NOAA for tomorrow they are predicting wave heights of 2 to 4ft in the area along Crane Beach, which has me concerned with a group this size, since this paddle was originally posted as a 2+ to 3. Yesterday I did the paddle from Pavilion to back side of Crane's and back. I started an hour past high tide. Conditions were beautiful with a following sea on the way back, S winds of around 7-10 mph. I had a tough time getting through the ebb at the mouth of Ipswich River, even though the wind was at my back. Gusts tomorrow are predicted for 11mph with sustained winds of 8 WNW. If we go through the creek at start I am concerned people will not have the strength to finish at the mouth if the tide is rushing out. I know a lot of people signed up for this paddle to do the circumnavigation, but I don't want to be in a situation where some may need a tow, etc. I would like to suggest going through Fox Creek, stopping on the western backside of Crane beach for lunch, then back through the creek as an alternate plan. I think with the the size of the current group we should be in two pods, too. Thoughts?

And to add clarity, this was originally posted to not be a high level trip, so I will be monitering conditions and give a report Sat night of what it is looking like. There are enough people looking to do the circumnavigation to keep it as our goal as long as wind or seas don't get challenging.

Based on predicted sea conditions (2 ft to potentionally 5 ft waves, though I see this as unlikely) and length of circumnavigation, I am wondering if I should change the paddle to level 3 now. I don't mind two pods as long as we have a front and a rear to keep the group together. I don't like to put a limit on things, but I would like the people coming on this trip to feel comfortable that they have the skills to complete the length in what looks like good conditions with some mild wave action. Of course nobody can predict what the day will actually bring weather-wise in advance. It just seems there is a good group of people who would like to do the circumnavigation, so that is our goal now.

Cool. Don't see many in these parts (lol). I'm still getting used to mine, but I like it.

Happy with the response this trip is getting. Weather looks good, though wind prediction changed from E to WNW and has increased a little. Still too early to know, obviously. I wanted to keep this a somewhat small group. We have about 10/11 (several who haven't posted on this board, too) if everyone shows. Please let us know if your plans change, as I may cap this for now. If we do the circumnavigation, we will have at least several pods for the paddle across the front of Cranes. If the wind is from the west, we have to make an effort to stay close to shore. Don't forget to bring a lunch. Looking forward.

Sounds great. So far we have about 8, including me, if everyone who is interested shows up.

Hi Hilde, nice chatting yesterday. My trip is now posted too. I am sorry to have it conflict with Katherine's but I have two men confirmed. Mine will be closed at a smaller number, so if you are interested, let me know in the thread.

CAM L2+-L3 paddle, hosted by Nancy Priest. Parking for non-motor boaters is on left side of beach. Be respectful of local beach-goers. Possible (probable, weather permitting) circumnavigation of Crane Beach going up Fox Creek and around the back side to open ocean along the beach. High tide is 11:51, 9.73 ft. Trip is approx. 9-10 miles. Meet at beach at 10:00 am, beach briefing 10:20. If conditions are not favorable for this trip, we can revise plan based on wind and weather. This put-in has been my passion for small jouneys for the past 8 years and I'd like to have a morning to leisurely go around the back side of Crane's into Fox Creek and complete the circumnavigation if conditions are mild. Hopefully boat traffic will be much less than high season and we can stop for lunch at the dunes on the back side of Crane's in Essex Bay. If wind and/or rain interfere, trip can be modified to exploring the Ipswich Bay or Plum Island Sound. This is a separate trip from the Ladie's Paddle also posted. I am looking for a small group so let me know if you are interested. Still will be monitoring weather to see which weekend day is best, but Sunday works best with my schedule.

That's what I was thinking, too, Katherine. My trip revisions are now on the calendar and I will post on trip board today. Hope you have a great ladie's paddle.

Since I already had several takers for my trip that are of the wrong gender, not sure what to do... I do need to let people know it is planned for Sunday, not Sat., though.

Thinking about joining. Would mostly be watching if the waves are big.

Marking my calendar...

@ CAM-able Leon, ouch ouch ouch. So we can actually break limbs out there, besides hypothermia and drowning. Good to know...