Dallas Downriver Club

Goose Island State Park

Date: November 27-30 2015 Sponsor: DDRC
River: Compano Bay / St Charles bay / Gulf of Mexico Trip Leader: Sam Sloan
Reach: TBD by water levels Phone:214-957-9374
Difficulty: Class I * (See scale below) E-mail: ssloan1972@gmail.com
Rendezvous: Goose Island SP 9 am Saturday
Campground: Goose Island SP

Trip Description:

We will be base camping at Goose Island State Park with direct access to the bay. This is a great trip to kayak the Gulf coast bays. We'll be both touring the bays, and doing some fishing in Copano Bay and St. Charles Bay. People usually fish for Speckled trout and Reds. Don't forget your fishing license! If you don't have one already, you can purchase one at the park. Our schedule will be decided by wind and conditions. We also have the option of doing the Lighthouse paddling trail near Port Aransas.

 

We have two campsites reserved, but if you want to reserve yourself - you need to do it soon, as the snowbirds book up this park. If you reserve, what you want is bay front elec. water premium campsites #1 thru #44. I would highly suggest you reserve now, as you can always cancel later. Youʼll want your own site for a camping trailer. TPWD Reservations # 512-389-8900.

I also need to know your coming. Please contact Sam Sloan if you have questions ssloan1972@gmail.com or 214-957-9374.

 

Meals:

On Saturday night we will go into nearby Rockport / Fulton to dine on seafood. Bring food and cooking supplies for all other meals. Be prepared to take a lunch and water with you on our day trips. 

 

Gear:

Kayaks and sit on tops are best suited for bay paddling, but some have used canoes. This time of year, weather can be all over the place, so bring a good tent and all weather protection for yourself. Again, If you plan to fish don't forget your fishing license. Be sure and bring a PFD, a Whistle, and (an anchor for your boat, if you plan to fish). If you have a GPS device you might want to bring that also.

 

 

Directions from Dallas:

 

1. Take i-35 south to Austin, then hwy. 183 to Goliad, then after passing Goliad take hwy. 239 east to Tivoli,Tx.,  then south on hwy. 35 to Lamar, TX. and left at the Exxon station onto Park Road 13. which will be right before you get to Copano Bay.( If you get to the bay bridge you've gone to far.) Follow the park road 13 east to Goose Island state park.

 

2, Take i-35 to Waco, then after passing Waco, continue to Lorena and go east on county rd. 2837 to hwy. 77, turn south and follow hwy. 77 to Victoria. (Watch out for speed trap in Rosebud,Texas south of Waco on 77. )As you get to Victoria watch for the loop and go right on it around to where you pick up 77 again and follow hwy. 77 south to hwy. 239 and turn east (left) on hwy.239 to Tivoli and turn south (right) on hwy. 35 and follow down to Lamar and take a left at the Exxon station ( which will be right before you get to Copano Bay.(If you get to the bay bridge you've gone to far.) follow Park Road 13
Goose Island Map





* International Scale of River Difficulty

Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight, self-rescue is easy.

Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.

Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims.

Class IV: Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require "must" moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting is necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. A strong eskimo roll is highly recommended.

Class V: Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to above average endangerment. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. What eddies exist may be small, turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of these factors may be combined. Scouting is mandatory but often difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is difficult even for experts. A very reliable eskimo roll, proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential for survival.

Class VI: Extreme. One grade more difficult than Class V. These runs often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. This class does not represent drops thought to be unrunnable, but may include rapids which are only occasionally run.

 

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Last updated
August 27, 2015