July 1, 2006

Cat Point Creek

I've noticed this creek on the Rappahannock maps for years, and when I ran across a short review on Paddle.Net I decided it was time to get beyond the map stage. Jenny, Ellen, and Greg wanted to explore it with me so we made plans to meet at Naylor's Beach Campground at 9:00.

We paddled the half mile to the mouth of the creek as the campers began to stir and stake their claims on picnic tables. The timing was all wrong on my part. We would paddle against the current all the way up the creek. Every once in a while I would catch the water roiling at the surface to remind me it would have been much easier to time the current...

This is a fairly long creek, and exploring the bows and a few smaller side creeks would allow you to spend an entire weekend exploring it.

It was hot and when the wind was at our backs the verbal sighs said it all - 'argh'. But the creek is one switchback after another so every few minutes we had the wind in our face and our spirits would pick up.

One point we rounded in very shallow water and Greg commented that in a few hours we wouldn't be able to paddle across where we were paddling. I only mention this now because it is important later in this trip report.

Around mile 6 we came across an old 50's era swing bridge. It looked to be in good condition but there was no real indication it had moved in many years. After taking a few pictures we continued on looking for a place to have lunch. We tried going up toward the Mt Airy Mill Pond but dead falls blocked our way. Greg and I hopped out to see if the way ahead was navigable. Not knowing for sure Greg helped me drag my kayak over the trees to paddle up for a better look.

Every new turn flushed something new - a large turtle, wood ducks, and a big catfish. I soon ran out of water and even though I could hear the road at the mill pond I still could not see it. I had to paddle backwards for a good bit as the creek was too narrow to turn around. I was gone longer than I expected and as I turned the last corner the rest of the group was hauling kayaks over the trees. I broke the news and we hauled the kayaks back over the trees and continued our search for a beach.

Chestnut Hill Landing is where we stopped. I'm not sure why it was called a landing as it appeared to have no external access. But there was enough beach for lunch and a good stretch before heading back.

Near Side Landing, I heard a boat coming around the shallow point I mentioned earlier and watched as the small boat ran aground at full speed. They tried to use a paddle to push themselves free but didn't manage to budge an inch. Greg told them the good news was that the tide was coming back in.

The boat traffic had picked up a lot. The courteous boaters that would slow to an idle to pass us was replaced by flamboyant speed demons that passed a bit too close without ever touching the throttle. We consoled ourselves with the knowledge our morning had been almost boat free.

We returned to the campground and packed for home. A bit over 15 miles when it was said and done. I explored another bridge further up the creek as a possible launch location for the future as I think this would be a great fall paddle.

Woody