Participants must attend the mandatory pre-trip meeting on August 3, 2020, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Hinckley Lake Boathouse.
- Participants must be adults
- Participants must complete and bring the waiver to the pre-trip meeting.
Registration Opens: April 15, 2020.
Fee: $235 (Early Bird fee of $215 ends after July 19.)
Length: 3 days and 2 nights
Trip Dates: August 14, 2020, 1:00 p.m. depart - August 16, 2020, 9:00 pm. return, departing from Garfield Park Center.
Location: Kelley’s Island, OH
Terrain/Distance: Participants will paddle varying distances in an open water setting where wind and waves will be present. Other activities include hiking uneven, natural surface trails up to 2 miles.
Prerequisite: Previous paddling experience preferred. Participants should feel balanced in kayaks and confident with paddling for an hour or more as well as effectively turning a kayak.
Overview
Looking to expand your paddling experiences and explore different horizons and shores? Enjoy a weekend on the water with fellow paddlers on one of Lake Erie’s beautiful islands. This intermediate level paddling trip will give you the instruction needed to take your skills from an inland lake to the shores of Lake Erie. The island features a great North Bay providing protected paddling waters and beach in most conditions. Experience the fun of paddling both kayaks and stand up paddleboards on Lake Erie. After paddling, the group may relax at the campsite, hike the trails to natural and historical treasures, and enjoy the village of Kelley’s Island. Due to the nature of paddling on large open bodies of water, the itinerary will change to accommodate fluctuating conditions.
Itinerary
Pre-Trip
This mandatory meeting on August 3 will prepare you for the upcoming adventure. Not only will detailed trip logistics be covered such as food and packing lists, but participants will have the opportunity to kayak in equipment that will be used on the trip allowing them to begin learning the art of maneuvering a longer craft. The Pre-Trip Meeting is exclusive for all paid trip participants.
Trip
Day 1- The group will depart from Garfield Park Center at 1 p.m. traveling just over an hour away to the ferry on Marblehead. After vehicles are loaded onto the ferry, the group can enjoy the crossing from the deck of the ferry. Upon arrival, the group will have the opportunity to set-up camp, our home away from home. The evening will vary depending upon weather with a sunset paddle or dinner around the campfire.
Day 2- After breakfast, participants will take a kayak tour exploring the unique ecosystem of Kelley’s Island and take a break on a rocky beach to hunt for sea glass. Spend the afternoon exploring the island by foot, visiting the glacial grooves and hiking the moonscape like quarry. Afterwards, wash off the trail dust by stand up paddleboarding around the bay.
Day 3- Wake up early for an early morning paddle. Pack breakfast in kayaks to enjoy a cup of coffee on the beach. Often the calm waters of the morning allow views of a sunken ship. After breaking down camp, enjoy one last adventure before catching a returning ferry.
Logistics
The following is included with your trip:
- Trip Leaders and guided instruction
- Pre-trip meetings to prepare you for your trip
- A fully planned trip and route
- Camping fees
- Transportation and ferry fees
- Dinners and breakfasts
- Equipment
Travel
Participants will be transported in Cleveland Metroparks vehicles to the trip location departing from Garfield Park Center. Participants’ personal vehicles will be parked in a fenced area at Garfield Park Center for the duration of the trip.
Accommodations and Food
The weekend will be spent car camping at Kelley's Island State Park Campground. Tents can be provided if needed. Showers are available. Simple dinners and breakfasts will be provided, and specific meal plans will be discussed at the pre-trip meeting; however, fires will be available for cooking over as well as Coleman 2-burner stoves when not in use for group meals. Participants should plan to provide their own snacks and lunches. Pots and pans are available for use.
Equipment
Paddling and camping equipment will be provided for exploration of Kelley's Island.
General Information:
By registering, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the
cancellation policy:
- Program fees and deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable to another date/program unless Cleveland Metroparks finds it necessary to cancel a program. Participants assume risk of all changes in personal health and affairs.
- If Cleveland Metroparks cancels a program, the cancellation will be posted on the registration page for that program. For programs other than races, participants will also be notified by e-mail and/or phone.
General Essential Eligibility Criteria that all participants must meet. A participant….
- …must meet minimum age and pre-trip meeting requirements for each individual program.
- …must meet program fee requirements for each individual program.
- …must be able to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed in order to avoid environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat-related illnesses, sunburn, and frostbite.
- …must refrain from use of alcohol and tobacco before or during outdoor recreation activities and any illegal drugs throughout the duration of a program.
- …must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant, to manage, administer and protect any prescription medications currently prescribed to him or her. All medications, including over-the-counter medications shall be declared in medical history section of the registration form.
- …must be able, either alone, with the aid of an augmentative communication device, or a personal care attendant to follow directions and communicate needs.
- …must not exceed manufacturers’ maximum recommended weight limit for equipment being used.
- …must be able to manage personal mobility either alone, with a reasonable amount of assistance, with the aid of a personal care attendant, or with adaptive equipment.
- …must be able to independently wear and maintain wearing all safety equipment correctly.
- …must be able, in the event of an unexpected capsize, to breathe independently and maintain a seal with their mouth (i.e. not require medical devices to sustain breathing), and independently demonstrate the ability to self-right him or herself from face down to face up position while wearing the appropriate PFD.
- …must be able to independently hold their head and neck upright (without restraints), in order to maintain proper body positioning, avoid an unexpected capsize, and freely exit watercraft.
- …must be able to reenter the watercraft in deep water independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance.
- …must be able to independently wear and maintain wearing all safety equipment correctly including but not limited to PFD (Personal Flotation Device).
- …must be able to, for extended trips only, travel in a physically demanding, remote backcountry environment for the uninterrupted period of the trip length, which can range from one to ten days with varying temperatures and environmental conditions including but not limited to, rain snow, hail, sun, and wind. The remoteness is such that cell signal may be unavailable, and it may require at minimum an hour, but perhaps in excess of 2 days travel to reach the nearest road and advanced medical care; participant assumes all costs associated with rescue.
All boating programs are funded in part through a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks & Watercraft.