This is a very pretty paddle. It will be a 6 - 8 mile round trip on the sheltered and heavily wooded West Fork of the San Jacinto River northward from Stubblefield Recreation Area, right at the northern tip of Lake Conroe. This should be an easy paddle, suitable for sea kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks, or canoes.
We will put in under the derelict bridge on Stubblefield Road (CR 216). Either the east side or the west side of the bridge works. You can walk across the bridge but not drive across it. (Note that you can drive to either side of the bridge but not across it, so plan your route from your home accordingly.) If you live west of Houston, the western approach through Tomball and Montgomery may be better for you. if you live in central Houston or eastward, the eastern approach up I-45 will be better. Either way is about an hour and a half, plus leave some time to get lost and found if you're not familiar with this.
If we should find our path blocked by invasive vegetation, we can paddle southward on Lake Conroe to Cagle Recreation Area, about an 8 - 10 mile round trip.
Stubblefield is a very nice US Forest Service recreation area with good restroom and camping facilities etc. You can easily camp there the night before or after our trip if you wish. A link is below.
As a Federal facility, I believe we will be required to wear a mask at all times in the Recreation Area, so be prepared for that.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/texas/recarea/?recid=30290
Phone number is
(936) 344-6205
Lat - lon of the put-in is 30° 33.807'N 95° 38.166'W
Let's meet at 9:30 to launch at 10:00. Bring lunch, water, sun protection, mosquito repellent, dry clothing.
We will paddle upstream as far as we can and find a sand (mud?) bar for lunch, and paddle back. Should be an easy paddle. Hazards are the usual snakes, fire ants, mosquitos, soft mud, repetitious stories, etc. Water is coldish, so dress for immersion and have spare dry clothing in your boat.
We will observe COVID caution by wearing masks while we load boats and mingle onshore and will maintain safe distances at all times. Please do not share food or drink.
