This event will be two nights of car camping at Goose Island State Park. I have two water-only (no electricity) walk-in (short) campsites (221 and 222) reserved for our use at $10 per night. We can settle up at the park but please let me know in advance in advance if you want a tent site. We can put three tents (max 8 people and two vehicles) on a site. We should be able to get more tent sites if needed. As of 10/23/2022 there are three trailer sites available in the park. You should reserve those on your own if you want.
Arrive whenever you can on Friday or Saturday to camp or just come for the day paddle. Tent site check-in time is 2:00 PM and check-out time is noon. Let me know in advance if you want a tent site.
We will do a day paddle on Saturday. Impromptu non-HASK paddles can be organized on Friday and Sunday if there is interest. The Saturday plan is from the park ramp eastward across the mouth of St Charles Bay along a peninsular shoreline into Dunham Bay, where I have not been. If it is too windy for that, we will paddle either in St Charles Bay or Cavasso Creek. We will launch from the park ramp at 10 AM . We will not need a car shuttle. Dress accordingly for the weather forecast, including for immersion. Aransas Bay water temperature is about 76 now. Carry spare dry clothing in a dry bag in your boat in case you get wet during the paddle.
There may be a group dinner on Saturday evening. Most Texas counties are under burn bans but Aransas County currently is not, so we should be able to have campfires.
The Big Tree is a short drive from the state park. The whooping cranes are on their way but probably will not have arrived yet.
Goose Island SP is a three hour drive about 180 miles northeast of Houston near Fulton and Rockport.
Directions:
To reach the park from downtown Houston, take US 59 southwest to Victoria, then US 77 to TX 239, and left (south) on TX 35 tot eh park near Fulton, TX.
The Park HQ is located at:
Latitude (degrees, minutes, seconds) N: 28° 018' 01"
Longitude (degrees, minutes, seconds) W: 96° 59' 03.57"
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Trip Leader Carl Kuhnen 713-444-3315
Trip Assistants Pending
Emergency Initiator Chris Arceneaux 832-216-2483
Trip Rating 2
Ready to Launch at 9:30 a.m.
Duration TBD (~5 Hours)
Paddling miles 10
Emergency Phone #s 911
Goose Island State Park 361-729-2858
Aransas CountySheriff 361-729-2222
Latest Expected Return Off the water by 4:00 PM Saturday
Auto Description Blue-green Honda CRV - FWC 6215
Distance from Houston 180 miles, about tthree hours
Hazards Oysters, snakes, insects, dehydration, bay chop. Slippery boat ramp. Slight chance of bears, rattlesnakes, and tarantulas. Remember sun protection, water, and good footwear.
* Trip ratings are only a guide. Actual conditions will vary with wind and other weather conditions.
This is Plan A for Saturday's paddle trip if not too windy:
If it is too windy for Plan A, something like this will be Plan B:
This is an ACA sanctioned event. All participants in ACA-insured activities must wear properly-fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets (Personal Flotation Devices, or PFDs) at all times during on-water activities. Non-HASK participants must sign a waiver.
Waivers - Please complete our easy to use online waiver if you are a HASK member who has not signed a waiver within the last 12 months or a non- HASK participant. Read the waiver carefully. You give up substantial rights when you sign it.
- Add Smartwaiver with email address “noreply@smartwaiver.com” to your address book to ensure emails do not go to junk/spam.
- Select a link below to complete the online waiver.
ACA-HASK Adult Waiver ACA-HASK Minor Waiver
- Respond to the “Confirm your E-Signature” email from ACA / HASK to confirm your email address. Wavier is now complete and valid.
- You will receive a confirmation email. Please download and print a copy of the waiver and bring it to the trip put-in.
COVID-19 Waivers.
Use the link HASK COVID-19 Waiver to open the waiver in PDF form. Print off the form, sign it and either bring it to the event or scan and email to bill@ohsiesworld.net as an attachment. Other options are to take a photo of your waiver on your phone or scan using the Adobe Scan app and emailing or text to Bill Ohsie.