Non-ACA participants may need to pay a fee. See below for details
Trip Documents: 2025.6.2_ChocBayou.HASK Trip Report
Link to Google Earth kmz
kmz Hot Dog Beach
kmz New Bayou Point
Note that there looks to be private road access to Hot Dog Beach (easterly along the shoreline) and New Bayou Point (a little eastward of the point in the marsh), We also did have some cell phone service at Hot Dog Beach.
Trip Description: Here's a blue(ish) water paddle to celebrate the arrival of summer weather. While humans have previously visited this locale, it is only the second time for HASK. We will paddle from the FM 2004 boat ramp on Chocolate Bayou across Chocolate Bay to try to find the Big Rock Candy Mountain.
This will be about a 13 - 14 mile paddle, depending on how much exploring we do. We will stop to grill hot dogs for lunch at 6 miles if the shell reef is above water. Then we might attempt to find the mouth of Hall's Bayou for a possible future trip before returning to the put-in. Weather as of now looks perfect, with temps in the 80s and light to noderate S wind. This should be a Level 2 trip, With more wind, it would be a Level 3.
Bring plenty of water and lunch and snacks. Have rain gear handy in your boat, even though none is forecast.
Directions: Drive your favorite route to FM 2004, depending on where you live. Chocolate Bayou is between Lake Jackson (Hwy 288) and Hitchcock (I-45). You can also copy the lat-lon below into Google Maps or your GPS for driving directions. It's about an hour from downtown Houston.
Lat/Long of the put-in: 29.2121809N, 95.2076706W
Route Plan
Hazards: The usual hazards will be present, including slippery ramps, debris and pilings in the water, oyster reefs, sting rays, fire ants and other noxious insects, mosquitos, rattlesnakes, bears, and tarantulas. Wear good footwear for oysters, etc. There will be some recreational and commercial boat traffic, including possibly barges. We will need to stay out of the channel.
| Trip Leader |
Carl Kuhnen |
| Trip Assistants |
Bob Scaldino |
| Trip Rating* |
2 |
| Ready to Launch at |
9:30 a.m. |
| Duration (hours) |
6.5 hours |
| Paddling Miles |
13 |
| Emergency Initiator |
Phil Salvador 713-591-2974 |
| Emergency Phone #s |
911, Brazoria County Sheriff 979-849-5711 |
| Latest Expected Return |
5:30 p.m. |
| Auto Description/Lic # |
2018 Red Subaru TSR 7650 |
| Distance from Houston |
50 from downtown |
* Trip ratings are only a guide. Actual conditions will vary with wind and other weather.
This is an ACA sanctioned event. All participants in ACA-insured activities must wear properly-fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets (Personal Flotation Devices, or PFDs) at all times during on-water activities. Non-HASK participants must sign a waiver. See all rules at the bottom of this page.
Waivers - Please complete our easy to use online waiver if you are a HASK member who has not signed a waiver within the last 12 months or a non- HASK participant. Read the waiver carefully. You give up substantial rights when you sign it.
- Add Smartwaiver with email address “noreply@smartwaiver.com” to your address book to ensure emails do not go to junk/spam.
- Select a link below to complete the online waiver.
- HASK members should always choose the Annual Waiver option and leave the Name of the Event and Activity Date blank.
- Non-HASK event participants should always choose the One Time Event Waiver option and specify the Name of the Event and Activity Date.
ACA-HASK Adult WaiverACA-HASK Minor Waiver
- Respond to the “Confirm your E-Signature” email from ACA / HASK to confirm your email address. Wavier is now complete and valid.
- You will receive a confirmation email. Please download and print a copy of the waiver and bring it to the trip put-in.
Guests – Non-ACA participants will need to pay a fee. See below for details. You are welcome to join us for a couple of paddle trips. As per our insurer, we will collect $11* from each non-American Canoe Association (ACA) participant through the Guest Registration or via this PayPal Link: Click PayPal link Hopefully you will then join HASK and continue paddling with us. *$10 for ACA Insurance; $1 processing fee
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Bonus information, some of the original lyrics:
"Oh, I'm bound to go where there ain't no snow
Where the sleet don't fall and the wind don't blow
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains."
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"There's a lake of stew and ginger ale too
And you can paddle all around it in a big canoe
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains."
Non-HASK ACA Participants: You must provide your ACA number.
Non-HASK ACA Participants: You must provide your ACA number.