Kayaking

nesun326 · 03-24-2010, 07:27 PM

We recently bought a home in Gilford and are looking for great places to launch and kayak. Any suggestions would be welcomed!

BroadHopper · 03-24-2010, 07:33 PM

in Alton Bay will be a great start!

LIforrelaxin · 03-24-2010, 07:58 PM

The possibilities are endless.... all depends on the type of paddling you are looking for. When you want to be on the water etc. There are places I would recommend for weekend paddling, and then there are those I would recommend for weekday paddling. From there it further gets defined by are you looking for stream / River / small ponds, or are you looking for larger lake adventures... as I say the possibilities are endless..

The there is the other question how far away from Gilford do you want to travel to go paddling....

Oh yes most importantly what do you have for Kayaks....

bigdog · 03-24-2010, 10:13 PM

I too am a new Gilford property owner who also kayaks... Would be very interested in knowing some locations....

Around Saunders Bay would seem nice on weekdays, not weekends however because of Marina traffic in that area.

Smith cove is nice if you want to putz around, and can put-in at Glendale docks. Also around Elacoya seems like it would be nice and easy, close to shore.

Honestly, I'd stay away from the big open water locations....

BD

nesun326 · 03-25-2010, 05:19 AM

Thanks for the help thus far. For more details, I'm looking for areas to kayak where it is fairly quiet, and where we might spot some wildlife, if possible. We have Wilderness Tarpons (14 ft) which are very stable. I'll be at the lake most of the summer, so would probably be more likely to kayak on weekdays.

jrc · 03-25-2010, 06:12 AM

I have a Wilderness tarpon 12 and spend some time around Smith cove and Varney point. Not too quiet on weekends but traffic is managable if you stay near shore.

If you are a Gilford taxpayer you can park and launch at Glendale. On weekdays you could cross over to the Forty Islands from there and explore forever. Even on weekends you could do it but it's more crowded.

mcdude · 03-25-2010, 06:20 AM

Try some of the smaller lakes that have public boat ramps such as Crystal and Manning Lake in Gilmanton, Suncook Lakes and the Suncook River in Barnstead, Merrymeeting in New Durham, Wentworth in Wolfeboro.

19MileBaylover · 03-25-2010, 06:30 AM

I'd suggest Lee's Mills, where you can park and paddle in a few different directions. You'll find it worth the drive to get there.

fatlazyless · 03-25-2010, 06:51 AM

Just south of Ames Farm Inn on Route 11, at the Gilford-Alton town line, the Town of Alton owns an elevated wooden deck structure with parking for about three or four vehicles with a large steel highway style sign that says 'Town of Alton - Public Welcome.' While carrying a kayak down the staircase to the shallow water might be a little challenging, it is doable, especially with two people.

Located about one half mile directly across from Diamond Island, that would be a terrific spot to get an up close look-see at the infamous & widely publicized Diamond Island granite ledge, plus it's an area of the lake that is frequented by sailboats from www.lwsa.org

A big THANKYOU - TOWN of ALTON for building and maintaining this waterfront public deck and kayak access spot. It is very unique and people need to treat it with respect!

...........

Another excellent launching spot is the Cattle Landing town dock & parking lot, way down Meredith Neck, in Meredith, and close to Buoy 3. Owned, built, maintained, & policed by the Town of Meredith, the Cattle Landing Town Dock is notable for its very nearby parking, easy access, super-duper lake location, and total lack of any sign what-so-ever that identifies it as the Cattle Landing Town Dock.

Watch for the very ugly concrete telephone company, utility building and pay telephone owned by Fairpoint Telephone, as you drive down the Cattle Landing Rd. It is immediatley close to the dock and parking lot, and kayak launching spot.

jmen24 · 03-25-2010, 08:57 AM

I second the recommendation for the Merrymeeting River, the put in is on the right of Route 11 just before the bridge that crosses the river. I have not paddled the upper part so I have not much to say on that section, but below Route 11, the river meanders through a marsh area and is nice flat quiet water with lots of potential for wildlife (depending on what you are looking for) and can easily be paddled back up stream if you are looking to avoid having two vehicles in the mix.

This is a great night paddle as well, pick a full moon night and enjoy the area, not a ton of trees around the marsh area and you can paddle to one end and back in a few hours.

McDudes small lake recommendations are also very good, nice quite water (no really large boats and lots of shoreline to explore)

Off 140 in Gilmanton, just below the Iron Works, turn onto Crystal Lake Road (big sign), Crystal lake is first and Manning is second, both on the right side of the road.

South of Silver Lake in Tilton down the Winnipesaukee River is also a nice paddle, take out is at the train station in Tilton.

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/co...mary_state_NH_ This is the list of all the rivers in NH that have a little bit of movement to them, class I and II can be handled with intermediate paddling ability, Knowledge of reading a river should be a skill that you have before attempting any class of whitewater. (Tongues and V's, know what they mean when you see them) If you do not know, then find out and practice. Plenty of books on the subject, and start slow with a small group and you will open yourself up to a far greater list of possible paddles in the area. Most small rivers in this area have some form of whitewater, but they only last a very short distance, so you get to enjoy the scenery on the rest of the paddle and have a little excitement mixed in from time to time, plus you can always portage if you are not comfy with the rip. Scout first until you can read from the boat and always scout a horizon line, even if you have run it before.

LIforrelaxin · 03-25-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19MileBaylover

I'd suggest Lee's Mills, where you can park and paddle in a few different directions. You'll find it worth the drive to get there.

This is exactly where I was thinking of suggesting. This is a great spot you can paddle down towards greens basin, or off towards Moultonborough Bay....The waterway down to the bay is nice, and there usually isn't much traffic. There are islands to explore around and plenty of scenery. This is great any day of the week.

If you are up for slight more open water adventure, putting in down at the state access at Harrilla landing at the end of long Island is great too. You can paddle over towards little Bear and Devens, and for a good stretch of the legs go even further over to Dow, and on back to Pistol. This of course is more of a weekday paddle for sure.

Bottom line get a map of the lake... Bizer is probably the best. It will show you some access points... Get out there and enjoy...

Now you can also go on over to Squam lake, they have a nice facility to put in at the Squam Lake Association. As well the are preservation areas to go explore.

Mcdude also had some great ideas as well......

Airedale1 · 03-30-2010, 04:26 PM

Welcome to the forum and the area. In Gilford I like to put in down at Marine Patrol. It's a nice protected harbor to launch from.

I can't wait to get out there.

On the other side of the lake I like to launch from Back Bay in Wolfeboro. From there you can turn left once you are out on the lake and hug the shore where you will pass a nice sandy public beach next to Brewster Academy. If you continue on you will come to Roberts Cove which is very nice.

Ready to go.

One of my favorite paddles when I am with a group is on the Contoocook River. We drive down to Concord and go to the Contoocook River Canoe Company. For a small fee you can leave your car there and they will haul you and your kayak about 12 miles up river to a put-in in Hopkinton, just below the falls.

From there it's a nice leisurely paddle downstream back to your vehicle with lots of beautiful scenery along the way and right after the beautiful Broad Cove is a nice Sandy Beach with picnic tables and a rope swing.

Looking out onto Broad Cove on the Contoocook.

Lots of great tips here, I can't wait to explore some of them,

trfour · 04-11-2010, 10:09 PM

http://citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...996/-1/CITIZEN

Terry
__________________________

Slickcraft · 04-12-2010, 02:03 PM

Maybe they just got the kayaks at the paddlesports show but wherever they got them, some instruction would have been useful. If the man still in his kayak had to hold the woman up, she probably did not have a pfd on. I also doubt that with this cold water they had either wet suits or dry suits on. Some basic skill with bracing strokes should keep one out of the water in a pond situation.

In fairly calm water such as a pond it is not hard to rescue a second kayaker if you are still in your own boat. You can empty the swamped boat and then stabilize it while the other kayaker gets back into their boat. This does take some training on both paddlers part but once learned it can save a life.

Quote:

WMUR.com
Kayakers Rescued From Pond In Dover
Man Found Holding Onto Woman Who Fell In Water

POSTED: 2:35 pm EDT April 12, 2010
DOVER, N.H. -- Two kayakers were rescued from a pond in Dover on Monday after a resident saw that they were in trouble.

Officials said a Lakeview Drive resident heard the kayakers calling for help from Willand Pond. When firefighters arrived, a woman was in the water, and a man was still in a kayak, holding onto her.

Crews from Dover and Somersworth launched boats, and firefighters were also assisted by a resident who had access to a boat. The woman was pulled into that boat and taken to Wentworth Douglass Hospital, where she was treated for cold-water-related injuries.

Officials said the man and woman were approximately 50 years old and had just purchased the kayaks and were trying them out.

03-24-2010, 07:27 PM	#1
nesun326 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 29 Thanks: 18 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Kayaking We recently bought a home in Gilford and are looking for great places to launch and kayak. Any suggestions would be welcomed!

03-24-2010, 07:33 PM	#2
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,509 Thanks: 3,116 Thanked 1,089 Times in 783 Posts	MerryMeeting River in Alton Bay will be a great start! __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

03-24-2010, 07:58 PM	#3
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, not that one, the one on Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,821 Thanks: 1,014 Thanked 880 Times in 514 Posts	The possibilities are endless.... all depends on the type of paddling you are looking for. When you want to be on the water etc. There are places I would recommend for weekend paddling, and then there are those I would recommend for weekday paddling. From there it further gets defined by are you looking for stream / River / small ponds, or are you looking for larger lake adventures... as I say the possibilities are endless.. The there is the other question how far away from Gilford do you want to travel to go paddling.... Oh yes most importantly what do you have for Kayaks.... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

03-24-2010, 10:13 PM	#4
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 307 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Kayaking I too am a new Gilford property owner who also kayaks... Would be very interested in knowing some locations.... Around Saunders Bay would seem nice on weekdays, not weekends however because of Marina traffic in that area. Smith cove is nice if you want to putz around, and can put-in at Glendale docks. Also around Elacoya seems like it would be nice and easy, close to shore. Honestly, I'd stay away from the big open water locations.... BD

03-25-2010, 05:19 AM	#5
nesun326 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 29 Thanks: 18 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	More details Thanks for the help thus far. For more details, I'm looking for areas to kayak where it is fairly quiet, and where we might spot some wildlife, if possible. We have Wilderness Tarpons (14 ft) which are very stable. I'll be at the lake most of the summer, so would probably be more likely to kayak on weekdays.

The Following User Says Thank You to nesun326 For This Useful Post:
Airedale1 (03-30-2010)

03-25-2010, 06:12 AM	#6
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	I have a Wilderness tarpon 12 and spend some time around Smith cove and Varney point. Not too quiet on weekends but traffic is managable if you stay near shore. If you are a Gilford taxpayer you can park and launch at Glendale. On weekdays you could cross over to the Forty Islands from there and explore forever. Even on weekends you could do it but it's more crowded.

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nesun326 (03-29-2010)

03-25-2010, 06:20 AM	#7
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,359 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,041 Times in 489 Posts	Some more of the endless possibilities.... Try some of the smaller lakes that have public boat ramps such as Crystal and Manning Lake in Gilmanton, Suncook Lakes and the Suncook River in Barnstead, Merrymeeting in New Durham, Wentworth in Wolfeboro. __________________

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Airedale1 (03-30-2010)

03-25-2010, 06:30 AM	#8
19MileBaylover Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 39 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Still on the Big Lake I'd suggest Lee's Mills, where you can park and paddle in a few different directions. You'll find it worth the drive to get there.

03-25-2010, 06:51 AM	#9
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,525 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 295 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	Just south of Ames Farm Inn on Route 11, at the Gilford-Alton town line, the Town of Alton owns an elevated wooden deck structure with parking for about three or four vehicles with a large steel highway style sign that says 'Town of Alton - Public Welcome.' While carrying a kayak down the staircase to the shallow water might be a little challenging, it is doable, especially with two people. Located about one half mile directly across from Diamond Island, that would be a terrific spot to get an up close look-see at the infamous & widely publicized Diamond Island granite ledge, plus it's an area of the lake that is frequented by sailboats from www.lwsa.org A big THANKYOU - TOWN of ALTON for building and maintaining this waterfront public deck and kayak access spot. It is very unique and people need to treat it with respect! ........... Another excellent launching spot is the Cattle Landing town dock & parking lot, way down Meredith Neck, in Meredith, and close to Buoy 3. Owned, built, maintained, & policed by the Town of Meredith, the Cattle Landing Town Dock is notable for its very nearby parking, easy access, super-duper lake location, and total lack of any sign what-so-ever that identifies it as the Cattle Landing Town Dock. Watch for the very ugly concrete telephone company, utility building and pay telephone owned by Fairpoint Telephone, as you drive down the Cattle Landing Rd. It is immediatley close to the dock and parking lot, and kayak launching spot. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to fatlazyless For This Useful Post:
Airedale1 (03-30-2010), nesun326 (03-29-2010)

03-25-2010, 08:57 AM	#10
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	I second the recommendation for the Merrymeeting River, the put in is on the right of Route 11 just before the bridge that crosses the river. I have not paddled the upper part so I have not much to say on that section, but below Route 11, the river meanders through a marsh area and is nice flat quiet water with lots of potential for wildlife (depending on what you are looking for) and can easily be paddled back up stream if you are looking to avoid having two vehicles in the mix. This is a great night paddle as well, pick a full moon night and enjoy the area, not a ton of trees around the marsh area and you can paddle to one end and back in a few hours. McDudes small lake recommendations are also very good, nice quite water (no really large boats and lots of shoreline to explore) Off 140 in Gilmanton, just below the Iron Works, turn onto Crystal Lake Road (big sign), Crystal lake is first and Manning is second, both on the right side of the road. South of Silver Lake in Tilton down the Winnipesaukee River is also a nice paddle, take out is at the train station in Tilton. http://www.americanwhitewater.org/co...mary_state_NH_ This is the list of all the rivers in NH that have a little bit of movement to them, class I and II can be handled with intermediate paddling ability, Knowledge of reading a river should be a skill that you have before attempting any class of whitewater. (Tongues and V's, know what they mean when you see them) If you do not know, then find out and practice. Plenty of books on the subject, and start slow with a small group and you will open yourself up to a far greater list of possible paddles in the area. Most small rivers in this area have some form of whitewater, but they only last a very short distance, so you get to enjoy the scenery on the rest of the paddle and have a little excitement mixed in from time to time, plus you can always portage if you are not comfy with the rip. Scout first until you can read from the boat and always scout a horizon line, even if you have run it before.

03-30-2010, 04:26 PM	#12
Airedale1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laconia Posts: 595 Thanks: 557 Thanked 1,569 Times in 274 Posts	Welcome to the forum and the area. In Gilford I like to put in down at Marine Patrol. It's a nice protected harbor to launch from. I can't wait to get out there. On the other side of the lake I like to launch from Back Bay in Wolfeboro. From there you can turn left once you are out on the lake and hug the shore where you will pass a nice sandy public beach next to Brewster Academy. If you continue on you will come to Roberts Cove which is very nice. Ready to go. One of my favorite paddles when I am with a group is on the Contoocook River. We drive down to Concord and go to the Contoocook River Canoe Company. For a small fee you can leave your car there and they will haul you and your kayak about 12 miles up river to a put-in in Hopkinton, just below the falls. From there it's a nice leisurely paddle downstream back to your vehicle with lots of beautiful scenery along the way and right after the beautiful Broad Cove is a nice Sandy Beach with picnic tables and a rope swing. Looking out onto Broad Cove on the Contoocook. Lots of great tips here, I can't wait to explore some of them, __________________ "The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." Nelson Henderson (1865-1943)

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mcdude (03-30-2010)

04-11-2010, 10:09 PM	#13
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Paddlesports Show Draws Big Croud... http://citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...996/-1/CITIZEN Terry __________________________ __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html