Peaceful Paddling: The Outlet and Conewango Creek
The Outlet of Chautauqua Lake offers a scenic and historic float. The docks of the majestic Victorian ferries are long abandoned, and the area has reverted back to a natural state. Frogs, herons, and mallards enjoy the rarity of motorboats in this no-wake zone. With little current, paddling upstream is no problem. A complete round trip will take around four hours. Please note that there are no places to put in or land other than at McCray Point in Jamestown or Celoron Park. Both parks have restroom facilities.
Conewango Creek is a sleepy little flatwater float. In years long gone, it was a major waterway for the transportation of lumber to Pittsburgh. Now it transports the kayaker or canoeist through the woods in New York to Warren, PA, where it meets the Allegheny River.
In New York, Conewango Creek is part of the Marden Cobb Waterway, maintained by the Chautauqua County Parks Department. The 25-mile stretch that goes from Kennedy to the NY-PA state line has numerous put-ins and take-outs. You'll want to watch out for occasional strainers (downed trees) along the way.
One relaxing two-hour paddle on the Conewango goes from Frewsburg on Route 62 to the NY-PA line on Route 62. You can stop at a lean-to campsite on a small island, but the remaining lands along the creek are privately owned and should be respected by those using the waterway. We often see an eagle fly by, and herons, Canada geese, and coots are frequent companions. Dragonflies will get even closer, often hitching a ride on the kayak bow.
We paddlers are always happy to tell others about the scenic places that we have floated. We only ask that you leave no trace of where you have been. Better still, make the waterway more beautiful by picking up a few pieces of other folks' “traces.”
|
