CLAPS 2022 Edition!
Thank You to everyone who visits this paddle series!
We hope this cache is one of your FAVORITES!
Welcome to the 2022 Edition of the Clear Lake Area Paddle Series. After hurricanes and flooding through the years, the areas look quite a bit different than they used to. If it's been a while, come out and see what it's like now! New boat ramps at both Bay Area Park and Big Island Slough make getting out there just that much easier!
This series is designed to be done in two smaller loops or one large loop launching from Bay Area Park. One section is north of the Bay Area Bridge and one to the south. 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 part 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 area caches.
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.