Portland, ME: Casco Bay Paddle

Portland, ME: Casco Bay Paddle

Paddle to an old military fort and visit several quaint Down East islands on this 6.8-mile trip around the rocky fingers of Maine's coast.

Author:	Backpacker Magazine
Date:	18 May 2007 9:20:38 AM
Activity:	Paddling ActivitySearchPaddling
State:	Maine (ME)
Distance:	6.84 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 87 ft Total Loss: 88 ft Net Change: -2 ft
Difficulty:	5 / 10
Tags:	Portland, Maine, Portland, ME
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

TO TRAILHEAD: I-295 to exit 8 (for Washington Ave./ME-26 S). In .3 mi., go L onto Eastern Promenade. In 1 mi., turn L onto Cutter St. and follow .3 mi. to East End Beach Boat Launch. Launch from more sheltered ramp to L of green shack.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

CAS01

Dist: 6.84 mi	Points: 2329	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Casco Bay Paddle

Points of Interest

Casco Bay Paddler

Location: 43.664204°, -70.223030°
©Kari Bodnarchuk

Sunset

Location: 43.673138°, -70.188866°
©Kari Bodnarchuk

Glassy Waters

Location: 43.673550°, -70.188202°
©Kari Bodnarchuk

Casco Bay Paddle

Location: 43.673718°, -70.187294°
©Kari Bodnarchuk

Water Views

Location: 43.673966°, -70.186630°
©Kari Bodnarchuk

CAS001

Location: 43.670467°, -70.241570°
Set out SE past Pomroy Rock into a bustling waterway (tankers, ferries, lobster buoys). Open water can get choppy

CAS002

Location: 43.667088°, -70.229416°
Point bow SE to island fortress ahead; keep blinking daymark on Diamond Island Ledge to starboard

CAS003

Location: 43.663899°, -70.221985°
Circumnavigate to inlet on NE side and explore 142-year-old Fort Gorges on foot (climb stairs for harbor views); head due E

CAS004

Location: 43.663445°, -70.213013°
At SW tip of Little Diamond Island, bear SE toward Peaks Island-look for big dock and sign

CAS005

Location: 43.656395°, -70.199150°
Sandy, mussel shell-covered beaches to L of Forest Island Landing. Stroll main village or snack @ local market

CAS006

Location: 43.662785°, -70.199081°
Follow sandy coast NE

CAS007

Location: 43.669483°, -70.192398°
Pass Trefethen Club, perched on pylons; bear NE along shore

CAS008

Location: 43.674030°, -70.186089°
In WWII, strait between Pumpkin Nob and Peaks Island held submerged nets to protect harbor from U-boats; enjoy wide, ocean-and-isle views, then turn L (strong current)

CAS009

Location: 43.670342°, -70.199989°
Great Landing: To L, spot wrecked schooner Maquoit juts up near NE point of Little Diamond Island; continue W through Diamond Island Pass (navigable sandbar @ low tide) and turn WSW toward mainland