Trip Description: Meet at 9:00 for paddles wet at 9:30. We paddle out from the boat ramp at Hugo Point Park ( 29/48'.44.01 - 94/47'.44.01) and turn north up Old River Lake. We angle to the east into Lost River and past Lost Lake to John Wiggins Bayou. We will go up the bayou, which runs parallel to the Trinity River. There are not many lunch or break spots but we wind find a few. This is a 12 mile Level 2 trip, open to south wind but mostly fairly sheltered water. It's a good spring trip for birds, mild temperatures, and relative lack of invasive vegetation.
Directions to the Put-in: From Houston
To get to Hugo Point from I-10 (exit 803 right before the Trinity River Bridge) take the FM 565 exit and go south on FM 565 to Gou HoleRoad. Turn left onto Gou Hole Road and follow it out(There will be one sharp curve around to the left) and on to the gate which will be marked with a sign for the park (Hopefully, it's there). Turn left into the park. Day use facilities include a large pavilion, individual picnic tables, restrooms, playground, a two-lane boat ramp, parking for vehicles with or without trailers, and a handicap accessible trail out into the marsh with an accessible observation tower. Hugo Point is a day use park only, no overnight camping is allowed.
For more details about the park see #2 at http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Wallis/Recreation.asp There is a nice nature walk on top of an old weir dam next to the launch site for anyone with excess energy.
For extra credit: Who was John Wiggins?
We will paddle up the bayou as far as we can until the bayou narrows and the vegetation becomes too dense to continue.
Far Upper John Wiggins Bayou - we may or may not get this far
Hazards: Sun, dehydration, fire ants, leeches, snakes, alligators, occasional Lady Hoggers. Water and air should be mild but always dress for possible immersion, wear no cotton, and have rain gear handy and a set of dry warm clothing in a dry bag in a hatch. Bring lunch and plenty of water.
Here are a couple of photos from previous HASK trips
Leeches
Trip Leader(s)
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Carl Kuhnen 713-444-3315
Assistant Grant Dedora 713-306-8494 |
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HASK Trip Rating*
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2
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Ready to Launch at
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9:30 (paddles wet)
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Duration (hours)
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6.5 hours
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Paddling Miles
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12 - 14 latest return 4 PM
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Maximum participants
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7
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Emergency #s
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911 for emergency
Non-emergency 409-267-2500 Chambers Co. Sheriff
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Distance from Downtown Houston
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40 miles
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| Vehicle |
Teal Green Honda CRV FWC 6215
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* Trip ratings are only a guide. Actual conditions will vary with wind and other weather.
This is an ACA sanctioned event. All participants in ACA-insured activities must wear properly-fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets (Personal Flotation Devices, or PFDs) at all times during on-water activities. Non-HASK participants must sign a waiver.
Waivers - Please complete our easy to use online waiver if you are a HASK member who has not signed a waiver within the last 12 months or a non- HASK participant. Read the waiver carefully. You give up substantial rights when you sign it.
- Add Smartwaiver with email address “noreply@smartwaiver.com” to your address book to ensure emails do not go to junk/spam.
- Select a link below to complete the online waiver.
ACA-HASK Adult Waiver ACA-HASK Minor Waiver
- Respond to the “Confirm your E-Signature” email from ACA / HASK to confirm your email address. Wavier is now complete and valid.
- You will receive a confirmation email. Please download and print a copy of the waiver and bring it to the trip put-in.
Guests – You are welcome to join us for a couple of paddle trips. HASK will cover the $5 ACA event membership for non-ACA members. Hopefully you will then join HASK and continue paddling with us.