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Page Design by Brian J. Mull |
Observe both a sunset and a moonrise over Lake Pontchartain
Cane Bayou, east of Mandeville, is a picturesque bayou that flows into Lake Pontchartrain. It serves as the eastern boundary of Fountainbleau State Park and as the western boundary for the new Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Largely free of signs of man’s encroachments, the bayou launch site is in the pines and hardwoods. Within a half mile it transitions into a shoreline of bald cypress trees and shrubbery which serve as a buffer for extensive marshes that extend out for miles from the bayou. It is only a mile from the launch site to Lake Pontchartrain but there are numerous side trips to choose from primarily out into the marsh where there is an intricate web of waterways that paddlers can explore.
The bayou has considerable wildlife. Alligators are seen in the daytime and at night with the help of a spotlight. Flocks of ibises, herons, and egrets are sometimes seen. The main bird attraction however are the osprey that are nesting in one of the four nests that are visible from the bayou. At night, the view of the sky is horizon to horizon and largely devoid of city lights. We intend to observe within one hour the sun set into the lake and then the moon rising from the lake. Once along the shoreline, paddlers will discover the shallowness and firmness of the lake.’s bottom Many people just step out of their canoe to enjoy the scenery of the lake and its shoreline.
Schedule: will be announced when trip is planned.
Leader: Byron Almquist who had paddled Cane Bayou numerous times both daylight and at night.
Leader provides: Outdoor guides, who will serve as paddling instructors, canoes, paddles, life vests and dry bags for individual use plus group gear for the safety and comfort of the paddlers.
Individual paddlers provide: lunch and something to cold to drink, plus bring rain gear, long pants and a long sleeve shirt in case the weather turns cool or rainy or the mosquitoes are a problem. Finally bring repellent and a flashlight - one per canoe.
Trip fee: The fee is $25 per paddler or $45 for two. Passengers (children under 10) are $5 each.
Reservations are necessary: E-mail or call me at 504 834-5257 to make a reservation and then send in the trip fees to 1049 Hesper Avenue Metairie, LA 70005-1551. The check should be made payable to “Canoe and Trail Adventures”.