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I took advantage of a rainy morning to drive to visit several potential kayak launch spots and shoreline fishing spots on the Patuxent River. The river was brown with runoff and did not yield any fish for me this morning. However, I did discover one of the most unusual kayak launch setups I have ever seen.
When exploring a new area for potential water access points, I use Google Maps in the map mode. When I find a bridge crossing a stream or some other feature that looks interesting, I switch over to the aerial photo mode. Following this procedure I saw what appeared to be a driveway at the back end of the Davidsonville Park on Patuxent River Rd. This park features numerous athletic fields and some paved hiking trails. As one of those trails ended near the river, I drove there today to check it out.
I drove to the last parking lot and saw a paved driveway heading toward the trees with a sign for a canoe/kayak launch. Two wooden bollards were locked in place, blocking the driveway. I don't know if the driveway is ever open, but it was not today. I walked along the driveway for about 8 mins on a level paved surface. I saw a small parking area on the left and steps going down on the right. Next to the steps was a double rail setup that I assume would be used to slide a kayak up and down.
2019-04-13 09-24-29.jpg
I walked to the bottom and found a muddy, slippery shoreline after the rain. There was access to the Patuxent River here but no improved launch site or ramp.
I can visualize how the rails could be used to lower a kayak, but it would be quite an effort to slide/pull a kayak back up the steep pipes to the driveway. A lightweight recreational kayak could be managed, but a loaded fishing kayak would take some herculean effort.
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Earlier in the week, I visited the Governors Bridge Natural Area in PG County (near the Bowie Baysox stadium). They have several ponds and kayak access to the river there. The access road is behind a locked gate (much like Homeport Farms, you can get the lock combination). I walked back to the launch and found no improved ramp -- just shoreline access off of dirt.
When exploring a new area for potential water access points, I use Google Maps in the map mode. When I find a bridge crossing a stream or some other feature that looks interesting, I switch over to the aerial photo mode. Following this procedure I saw what appeared to be a driveway at the back end of the Davidsonville Park on Patuxent River Rd. This park features numerous athletic fields and some paved hiking trails. As one of those trails ended near the river, I drove there today to check it out.
I drove to the last parking lot and saw a paved driveway heading toward the trees with a sign for a canoe/kayak launch. Two wooden bollards were locked in place, blocking the driveway. I don't know if the driveway is ever open, but it was not today. I walked along the driveway for about 8 mins on a level paved surface. I saw a small parking area on the left and steps going down on the right. Next to the steps was a double rail setup that I assume would be used to slide a kayak up and down.
2019-04-13 09-24-29.jpg
I walked to the bottom and found a muddy, slippery shoreline after the rain. There was access to the Patuxent River here but no improved launch site or ramp.
I can visualize how the rails could be used to lower a kayak, but it would be quite an effort to slide/pull a kayak back up the steep pipes to the driveway. A lightweight recreational kayak could be managed, but a loaded fishing kayak would take some herculean effort.
2019-04-13 09-31-09.jpg
Earlier in the week, I visited the Governors Bridge Natural Area in PG County (near the Bowie Baysox stadium). They have several ponds and kayak access to the river there. The access road is behind a locked gate (much like Homeport Farms, you can get the lock combination). I walked back to the launch and found no improved ramp -- just shoreline access off of dirt.
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