MattC
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So I finally got out paddling at the Basha Kill wetland, which is only about 30 miles away from my home, now that I know the better way to drive there. I drove south through Ulster County and crossed the Shawangunk Ridge at a much lower point than I am used to. On some of the back roads, I was actually on the Long Path, and I even saw two hikers at one point.
As I pulled into Wurtsboro, I had a moment of sadness, passing the empty storefront that used to be the Catskill Hiking Shack. Even sadder, it wasn't the only empty storefront on Sullivan St.
Just a few miles south on 209, I took a left into the DEC Basha Kill parking lot, the northernmost of the access points. The forest around the wetland is gorgeous-cathedral white pines dominating, with hemlock, various maples, oaks and other hardwoods beneath. There are footpaths departing from either side of the parking area, and the boat put-in is down a short, open slope.
I am a very lazy paddler, and this day was particularly lazy. It was warm, and the water vegetation made for slow going. In the several hours I was out, I explored only maybe a quarter of the entire Basha Kill-basically the entire part north of Haven Rd. First I went north from the put-in. I paddled over to an access point on the east side and pulled over for a few minutes. On that side the wetland is bordered by the Basha Kill Rail Trail, which is the old O&W grade. It was very grassy, and there was a cement bench by the boat access and a viewing platform nearby. I continued on a ways until I was in a channel only a bit wider than my boat. When it got ridiculous, I backed out and performed some interesting turning maneuvers-it reminded me of learning how to do a three point turn.
I then headed back to the put-in, rested a bit and continued south in somewhat windy conditions for a little while. I followed winding channels up to the Haven Rd. bridge, then turned around and headed back in a brief shower.
The place is teeming with life. There are acres of Pickerelweed and many patches of Yellow Pond Lilies. 100s of dragonflies zipping about everywhere. Fish jumping here and there, and occasional a turtles head would be seen poking out of the surface of the water. Lots of Wild Roses, some Buttonbush, and other stuff; see the picture link below. At the end I also got some pics of an old beaver lodge.
Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of moving things, namely birds. The dominant bird would have to be Red-Winged Blackbirds; they are everywhere, both male and female. I also saw Great Blue Herons and some type of water bird-I never got too close, but I was pretty sure they were Common Mergansers from the shape of their head. Upon returning home and consulting guides, not I'm not sure they weren't Wood Ducks. They never let me get too close; they would kind of half-fly, skimming along the surface of the water, until they were well away from me. I also had my first 100% certain sighting of a Cedar Waxwing. I'm about 95% certain I saw one once on the summit of Rusk Mt., but this time I'm positive. Just a remarkably handsome species. Lastly, I heard and caught a brief glimpse of a hummingbird who was very interested in some Swamp Honeysuckle.
My first visit to this place was very enjoyable. Hope to return, maybe later in the summer and/or in the fall, when perhaps some of the vegetation will die back and make paddling easier. The fall color on the shorelines must be amazing here, too.
Matt
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/564090415WYkouF
As I pulled into Wurtsboro, I had a moment of sadness, passing the empty storefront that used to be the Catskill Hiking Shack. Even sadder, it wasn't the only empty storefront on Sullivan St.
Just a few miles south on 209, I took a left into the DEC Basha Kill parking lot, the northernmost of the access points. The forest around the wetland is gorgeous-cathedral white pines dominating, with hemlock, various maples, oaks and other hardwoods beneath. There are footpaths departing from either side of the parking area, and the boat put-in is down a short, open slope.
I am a very lazy paddler, and this day was particularly lazy. It was warm, and the water vegetation made for slow going. In the several hours I was out, I explored only maybe a quarter of the entire Basha Kill-basically the entire part north of Haven Rd. First I went north from the put-in. I paddled over to an access point on the east side and pulled over for a few minutes. On that side the wetland is bordered by the Basha Kill Rail Trail, which is the old O&W grade. It was very grassy, and there was a cement bench by the boat access and a viewing platform nearby. I continued on a ways until I was in a channel only a bit wider than my boat. When it got ridiculous, I backed out and performed some interesting turning maneuvers-it reminded me of learning how to do a three point turn.
I then headed back to the put-in, rested a bit and continued south in somewhat windy conditions for a little while. I followed winding channels up to the Haven Rd. bridge, then turned around and headed back in a brief shower.
The place is teeming with life. There are acres of Pickerelweed and many patches of Yellow Pond Lilies. 100s of dragonflies zipping about everywhere. Fish jumping here and there, and occasional a turtles head would be seen poking out of the surface of the water. Lots of Wild Roses, some Buttonbush, and other stuff; see the picture link below. At the end I also got some pics of an old beaver lodge.
Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of moving things, namely birds. The dominant bird would have to be Red-Winged Blackbirds; they are everywhere, both male and female. I also saw Great Blue Herons and some type of water bird-I never got too close, but I was pretty sure they were Common Mergansers from the shape of their head. Upon returning home and consulting guides, not I'm not sure they weren't Wood Ducks. They never let me get too close; they would kind of half-fly, skimming along the surface of the water, until they were well away from me. I also had my first 100% certain sighting of a Cedar Waxwing. I'm about 95% certain I saw one once on the summit of Rusk Mt., but this time I'm positive. Just a remarkably handsome species. Lastly, I heard and caught a brief glimpse of a hummingbird who was very interested in some Swamp Honeysuckle.
My first visit to this place was very enjoyable. Hope to return, maybe later in the summer and/or in the fall, when perhaps some of the vegetation will die back and make paddling easier. The fall color on the shorelines must be amazing here, too.
Matt
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/564090415WYkouF
