Historic Lake Champlain Paddle in the paddlestrokes of Benedict Arnold

Tri-Corner Hat Series: Historic Lake Champlain Paddle

in the paddle-strokes of Benedict Arnold

Paddle by kayak the naval routes of War-Great Benedict Arnold before the treason. We’ll camp for the weekend at the New York State Campground at Crown Point, a Revolutionary War fort that Colonel Benedict Arnold made his headquarters from 1775 to 1776. Arrive at your leisure Friday night, and... [read more]

Tri-Corner Hat Series: Historic Lake Champlain Paddle

in the paddle-strokes of Benedict Arnold

Paddle by kayak the naval routes of War-Great Benedict Arnold before the treason. We’ll camp for the weekend at the New York State Campground at Crown Point, a Revolutionary War fort that Colonel Benedict Arnold made his headquarters from 1775 to 1776. Arrive at your leisure Friday night, and enjoy possible campfire readings by the organizer on the significance of the following day’s paddle on New York’s role in the War for Independence.

 

On Saturday, we drive to Sherburne Vermont and launch from the Vermont shore at Hand’s Cove in reminiscence of Arnold’s one-mile crossing to invade British-held Fort Ticonderoga alongside Ethan Allan on the night of May 10th, 1775. We’ll disembark and quickly tour Fort Ticonderoga .

From there we paddle the 17-mile path north on Lake Champlain (current flows from S to N) to Crown Point (and our campground). This follows the route taken by Seth Warner and the Green Mountain Boys in taking Crown Point on May 12th as well as Arnold’s ferrying in his efforts to build an American navy to ready Lake Champlain for eventual British invasion. Eagles and ospreys are abundant here as are views of the Adirondacks mountains to the west, and the Green mountains to the east. The mileage will make this a long day and longer kayaks (minimally 12 ft)  are recommended. The lake is narrow here but kayakers may still have to deal with the wake of motorboats.

On Sunday we drive north to Peru, New York where we launch the kayaks for a 6.1-mile  circumnavigation of Valcour Island, the sight of the first American Naval Battle where on

October 17, 1776 now General Arnold engineered the battle and the American defense that has been hailing at preventing the British from reaching the Hudson Valley and seizing the Hudson River their ultimate target. The British would try again the following year (1777) resulting in the Battle of Saratoga, for which Arnold once again led the resistance.

 

Valcour Bay is the fourth largest island in Lake Champlain, and is maintained as a campground and bird sanctuary (heron rookery) with many hiking trails maintained by the Department of Environmental Conservation. It shores are lined with high cliffs, limestone ledges and sandy beaches. The island hosts a stone lighthouse built in 1874 begging for exploration. The mountains of the Adirondacks tower over the lake from the west while the Green Mountains shadow it from the east.

Total Mileage: 18 miles on Saturday, 6.1 miles on Sunday plus time puttering around on Valcour Bay's hiking trails

Estimated Hike Time:  Long Day on Saturday, Half-Day on Sunday

Special Gear / Requirements:  kayak, paddle, lifevest, headlamp, food and water, overnight gear for camping

KAYAK RENTALS AVAILABLE!!! E-MAIL MIKE @ KelseyADK@yahoo.com for details!!

Who's Organizing? Michael Kelsey, KelseyADK@yahoo.com

 

Associated Fees

Crown Point Campground: $18

Fort Ticonderoga: $17.50 (I will call about a group discount or special paddler's rate)

Fort Crown Point: $4

 

Meetup Times and Locations:

FRIDAY NIGHT: Anytime : Crown Point State Campground, 784 Bridge Road, Crown Point, NY 12928, http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24461.html

From Adirondack Northway (1-87), Southbound: Exit 31, take Route 9N east to Westport to junction Route 22 and 9N south through Port Henry to junction of Bridge Road to Vermont, continue 4 miles to the campground.

SATURDAY: 9:00am -- Put-in from Larrabees Point Fish and Wildlife Area, Vermont Rt. 73 off of 74, Shoreham Vt. https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Larrabees+Point,+shoreham+vt&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x4cb5567e14c73cfd:0x64f9b0ce8f88be8b,Larrabees+Point&gl=us&ei=BTT-T4HNMOjo0QGy-NTEBg&sqi=2&ved=0CGUQtgM

SUNDAY 10am -- Put-in from Peru Boat Launch, Rt 9, Peru, NY

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Lake+Champlain&msa=0&msid=111464969187505445133.00047b569d8d7da84ee12&ll=44.618012,-73.438475&spn=0.013532,0.022917&z=16

Web links for additional information:

1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Valcour_Bay

NOTE: You are responsible for bringing appropriate gear, supplies, clothing, first aid, and lights. You should review topographic maps and trail features carefully; understanding topography of any hike/paddle is key to your knowing where you are, where you're going, and how to get back.

See suggestions for GEAR on the "About" page for additional gear ideas.

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