Hike #6296 Essex Chain of Lakes – July 12, 2014
Write-ups by Meg Higgerson, Bill Higgerson, Grace McNassar
Leader of Essex Chain: Meg Higgerson
Co-Leader: Sue Bell
Leader of Goodnow Flow: Bill Higgerson
The Essex Chain of Lakes was recently opened to the public. Until late last fall it was posted as leased land of the Gooley Club. When we checked out the paddle at the end of June it became clear that not all Tramps might be interested due to the 2 mile portage and the potential damage to one’s kayak. As a result, an easier option was offered…a paddle on Goodnow Flow, a private lake.
Here are 2 hike reports for #6296:
At 9 am, 11 Essex Chain Paddlers met at the Higgerson’s camp on Goodnow Flow, moved kayaks to high clearance vehicles and prepared to travel the 6 miles to the trailhead. Once there we strapped on wheels and portaged 1/4 mile to Deer Pond, someone always having to “work the kinks out” with the wheels.
We got a taste of what the Essex chain had in store as we paddled down pristine Deer Pond where we found some very unique erosion-caused rock formations.
The next portage was tough as we pulled the kayaks up a hill over roots, rocks and ridges to the dirt road. Once again on the road the portage was easier but we were soon back in the woods on our way to 3rd lake.
We stashed the wheels and began our paddle. It is hard to describe the beauty of the lake but as we paddled we saw several loons with their chicks, listened to and watched for birds, saw one or two other paddlers in the distance, caught a glimpse of the Gooley Club compound and enjoyed the adventure as we looked for the inlet to 4th lake.
Paddling through lilies of all sorts we entered 4th lake and looked for a lunch place.
What a surprise to find a perfect spot with a picnic table!! Next we headed to 5th lake where we had to pull ourselves with an overhead rope through a culvert that ran between 4th and 5th.
Across 5th, we entered a long narrow channel full of more lilies, purple pickerel weed and floating bogs with frogs, before we arrived at 6th lake.
After spending a while on 6th lake, we paddled into the wind all the way back through 5th, 4th and 3rd. In spite of that, we made quick progress always having the upcoming 1 mile portage on our minds. Again the wheels took their toll and there was much discussion as to how to attach them, where to locate them, whether to get new wheels or maybe a new kayak or better yet to work out more!!!
Most of us avoided Deer Pond on the return trip and portaged the boats on the road which went around it. Loading the kayaks we bounced on back to the Higgersons camp and arrived at 4 pm anxious for a cold drink or a dip in the Goodnow Flow. Meg
The Goodnow Flow Paddle start time was 10 am and 9 paddlers participated. Prior to the paddle, Bill gave a history of the Goodnow Flow and an overview of the upcoming paddle. The lake is 3+ miles long and is fed by the north and west branches of the Goodnow River. They paddled to the inlet of the North branch and proceeded to the mouth of the channel for the west branch. They continued up that channel to Shadow Dam. They spotted a baby mink swimming to the bank. Then they were on to Blueberry Island where they enjoyed lunch on the sandy beach. It was a leisurely paddle arriving back at the Higgerson’s camp around 2:30. Bill
At 6 pm 28 tramps enjoyed a cookout and “pot luck” hosted by the Higgersons and Grace McNasser. Grace was invaluable in getting things organized while the paddlers were paddling and the 5 hikers were hiking Goodnow Mountain. This was the eighth year that the Tramps have come to our camp in Newcomb and feedback was that they hope to be back again next year!! We look forward to it!! Meg, Bill and Grace
