Trip Description: Meet at 9:00 at a To Be Designated location to put in at 10:00 a.m. on a shell beach in Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. Paddle two salt lakes (3 miles). If conditions permit, cross the Intracoastal Waterway into Drum Bay and paddle to a lunch stop at a beach. Round trip will be 8 miles. The launch site has good parking and a spacious clean porta-potty, last time I was there. The Visitor Center at the HQ has good facilities and information also. This trip has a nice variety of coastal lake, marsh, ICW, and bay and is usually a good bird trip. There are a couple of areas with oysters, depending on water level, so consider whether you're willing to risk scratching your fiberglass boat.
Driving Directions to the put-in: From Houston, Head south on Hwy 288 towards Angleton and Lake Jackson. Exit at FM 523 South and go left (south) on FM 523. Go 14.5 miles and turn left at Hoskins Mound Road/CR 227. Go 1.8 miles and turn right to the refuge. Go about 3.1 miles and turn right immediately before the visitor center onto a shell road called something like "Salt Lake Road". Go 1.5 miles due south to a shell parking area. ~60 miles from downtown Houston.
Latitude and Longitude: 29° 2.257'N, 95° 16.037'W
Trip specs: 8 - 10 miles, up to 5 hours. Trip Rating 2. Be ready to launch at 10:00.
Hazards: Put-in ramp can be slippery. Water depth should be adequate but shallow areas do have some oysters, so you might consider your plastic boat. LIttle boat traffic on the lakes but the Intracoastal has a few MAJOR barges and work boats. If we cross the Intracoastal, we will stay together and give them LOTS of room. Always remember to dress in layers as if you might go in the water. NO COTTON! Bring lunch, sunscreen, plenty of water, and insect repellent.
Trip Leader Phil Salvador
Trip Assistants Carl Kuhnen
Trip Rating* 2
Ready to Launch at 10:00 a.m.
Duration (hours) 5 hours
Paddling Miles 9
Emergency Initiator
Emergency Phone #s 911
Latest Expected Return 4:00 p.m.
Auto Description/Lic: Green (Teal) Honda CRV FWC 6215
Auto Descript/ Lic #2 (Phil) Silver Honda CRV, TX JLX 7922
Distance from Houston 50 from downtown
* 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 life jackets (Personal Flotation Devices, or PFDs) at all times during on-water activities. Non-HASK participants must sign a waiver.
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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.