NFCT Map 1: First Lake to Eighth Lake

Date(s): July 27th - 29th, 2007
Paddlers: Deb, JR, Rich B., Jeff F., Loretta G.

Campsites:
July 27th - Bald Mountain Colony (Third Lake) at a friend's camp
July 28th - Seventh Lake across from the Boat Launch

Trail Info: Good condition, no updates.

Paddle Report:

Click here for pictures from Rich's disposable waterproof camera.

Our first overnight trip with our kayaks. As we were trying to get our gear together and start off, it begain to pour rain as hard as you can imagine. Jeff, Loretta and Rich took cover under a nearby covered pedestrian bridge while JR and I continued to get everything ready to go. Finally the rain subsided and we set off. The whole trip was a mix of rain and sun but we enjoyed it none the less.

Jeff, Loretta and Rich all had smaller recreational boats so they had to paddle almost constantly to make progress. However, JR and I had 14' kayaks and we found the pace to be bit slow since our boats but through the water much faster with less effort. So we just stopped for lots of snack breaks! JR's infamous cracker, summer sausage, ring of yellow mustard and then Tabasco in the middle. Kind of weird but very yummy!

JR's homemade wheels worked well and came in very handy on the carries. While the others grumbled, we just wheeled our boats along! The second night we stayed on Seventh Lake. As we got set up it started to rain again. That's when we figured out another peice of gear to bring, a tarp! Being used to backpacking, JR and I had all this space left in out kayaks, so why not bring a tarp to put up in case it rained? (Although we have brought one since and not used it yet!!)

Later, after a wonderful dinner made by our gourmet chef (Jeff) we went out on the lake for an evening paddle. The saw a few loons and Rich almost got attacked by one as he unintentionally got between the mother and baby. We could hear the water still dripping in the trees onto our camp but it was not raining on the lake anymore.

The next morning Jeff, Loretta and Rich paddled over to the Seventh Lake boat launch and got out there to avoid a 1 mile carry without wheels. Rich met us back at Eighth Lake where he paddled around for a while with us. Jeff and Loretta started home. It was a great trip where we learned what ourselves and our boats could do as well as what "fun extras" to pack. Next time will be even better!