This cache: You are looking for a soda tube. Please re-hide well.
Welcome to the 2016 Edition of the Clear Lake Area Paddle Series. New containers. New locations. Convenient numbering: caches north of the Bay Area Bridge will have a N designation and south of the bridge will have a S for the designation (i.e., #7 N CLAPS, or #46 S CLAPS).
This series extends from the headwaters of Armand Bayou all the way to Clear Lake. It is designed so caches would be obtained by paddling (kayak, canoe, raft, etc.). Much of the bayou areas are very wild and have lots of wildlife, including many varieties of small and large birds, alligators, turtles, snakes, deer, and small mammals. The lake is more open but also very scenic. Bring your camera on this series! Gas engines are not allowed in any of the bayous or in most of the lake.
Sound like fun? It is! But before you attempt this series, please consider the following:
- You will get wet, and possibly soaked, doing this series.
- Bring a couple gallon-sized ziplock baggies -- one for your GPSr (easy to operate in a large bag), one for your camera and phone, and one for anything else you don't want to get wet. Trap a little air in them and they float should they fall out of the boat.
- Bring sunscreen!
- Bring a hat - especially in summer.
- Bring lots of bottled water!
- Wear a PFD / Lifejacket.
- Bring your camera... but don't drop it!
- Bring your cell phone... just in case.
- No motors are allowed in Armand Bayou and most of Mud Lake. Only the southern-most part of Mud Lake is accessible by motorized boat.
- Review the reference documents about the series! These are linked below on the cache page.
There are no geocaching.com attributes for alligators. Watch out for alligators! They are out there... somewhere. You may not see them, but they'll see you. DO NOT FEED or pester the alligators!
Never been in a kayak or canoe? Yes - you can do these fun caches! You can rent a yak locally (or borrow one). The learning curve is minimal. Feel free to contact me through my geocaching.com profile if you need ideas, help, or advice on how to get started.
Below are three useful resources. Please read them to learn more about the various sections of the CLAPS series. The resource guide provides details on routing, parking, conditions and the local kayak and canoe rental service.
Paddle Checklist.pdf
CLAPS - General Information and Resource Guide.pdf
Click here for a Bay Area Park facilities map and directions
Check out the CLAPS Challenge Cache here: CLAPS Challenge Cache - GC2ANX3.
This paddle cache placed by a
member.
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A big Thank you to Kirbydox and TXGeoHunters for assistance with the re-do of N CLAPS 2016!