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2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:36 am
by Randy
On the way home today, I drove around the National Forest, to find lake access to the main lake.
Everyone knows where Scotts Ridge is,,
Straight across from Scotts Ridge
When ya get to the Stuble Field road, instead of turning right, turn south on FS Rd 204. I haven't been down this road in years, and it is now black top most of the way and gravel/iron ore the rest of the way. It dead ends onto Caney Creek.
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Parking is good, with launch access about 75 feet from the road. Easy easy access.The proximity is still close to those idiot JET SKIES from Scotts Ridge , but if ya launch and paddle north west up, Caney Creek you will be ok.
Once we get the first cool front, most of those PBs will get parked.

The water is much deeper at mid lake, to the east is an old tram road bed,, some of the pilings are still there and offer a good place to tie off.

The other area is up across from Cagle. FS 248, the road getting back in there is improved and looks to be maintained pretty regular. I was able to pull right up to the bank towing my trailer today. Years back this was just an ole logging trail and barely passable, . Now it is graded, and iron ore. Some spots are only wide enough for one vehicle,,, so beware.
Access to bank fishing, kayak launch, and primative camping, very primative.
This area is just off the San Jac river channel along the west bank. The good thing is, it is right on the border of the stumps,,,, those jet skies and powerboats can't or should I say, shouldn't with any sense go up in there.
This is an awsome area to fish the stumps, and set juglines out,,,,the catfishig is kick butt up in there.
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Neither of these 2 places are fee based, and are not established camping areas, the fire ban when in effect applies. Being that these places are not established camping areas, I can run my generator ALL night for the a/c.

Just thought I would pass this on....

Randy
"The Randy Zone" .... ya'll member Triple X ? da movie.....

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 6:59 am
by davewave12
Thanks for the info Randy, I really appreciate it! Please note that camping with generators and AC does not qualify as "prmitive". :lol:

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:00 am
by milret
Please note that in Randys trailer he does not have room for the kitchen sink, so he is sort of primative camping.

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:57 am
by Dogpaddlin
Great info! Did you find out anything on the private boat ramp up river?

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 9:59 am
by Night Wing
Looks like one of those out of the way places. :D Perfect for yak fishing. :twisted:

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:07 am
by SOLIDEAGLE
Great report Randy. Is the road across from Kagle, Forest Service Road 204A? That is the only one I found on Google Earth. I didn't see 248.

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 11:59 am
by Firefly49
This is going to be absolutely awesome!! No more getting caught in the "washing machine" with the PB at Scott's Ridge, huh, John???!!! Will need to go check this out when go! up there on Fri

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:56 pm
by water in my beer
Be careful at the forest road 204A put in. The logs keep out power boats but also flip kayaks. There are tons of submerged logs in that cove. There is a small road about 75 yards before 204A ends. It has a very good place to park and hide your truck. However, low limbs can make it tough for bigger trucks. We go out there every once and awhile and clear the trail but we haven't been there in awhile. Also, be careful parking your truck for long periods of time at the end of 204A. My brother had his truck broken into Sunday night. He wasn't even kayaking, he was trying to bank fish. However, as long as you put in during the early morning hours you should be just fine. Thieves don't like to wake up early.

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:06 pm
by Randy
FS road 204 dead ends at Caney Creek, across from Scotts Ridge. Yep, there are logs and stumps,,, all the more better,,,,,,it keeps those PBs out.

FS 248 is south of 1375 just past the Kelly Pond cut off, on the east side. As you go east there are three more roads, 248A, 248B and 248C.
Yesterday, B was locked up.

I drove down 248C ,that went all the way to the lake. You can see the area , from the Cagle boat dock, as ya look west, across the lake, you will see what we call the dirt bank on the far west side.

Hope that helps ya identify it.


.

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 9:44 pm
by phil413tx
That looks like a great spot! Thanks for sharing!

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:26 am
by Randy
milret wrote:Please note that in Randys trailer he does not have room for the kitchen sink, so he is sort of primative camping.
I do have one of those hang up shower bags,,,in there,,,nothing like taking a shower in the woods......

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:53 am
by milret
Figures

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 10:47 am
by water in my beer
We are going out to 204A tonight to clean the trails that lead off the road. They should be nice and clean if anyone wants to go out there this weekend. I am going to try carp fishing (Great Spot for Them) Saturday morning if anyone wants to meet up.

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:38 pm
by shsu05
just be heads up everyone...alot of people go down to 204 and 248, so you may wanted to make sure your doors are locked...also you CANNOT cut trees or anything on the US Forest, even if you want to make it easier to get to the water...Law enforcement is always down there, and they will give you a ticket.

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:31 pm
by Randy
shsu05 wrote:just be heads up everyone...alot of people go down to 204 and 248, so you may wanted to make sure your doors are locked...also you CANNOT cut trees or anything on the US Forest, even if you want to make it easier to get to the water...Law enforcement is always down there, and they will give you a ticket.
The FS road 248 is very passable,, the surface in improved and graded,,, there is no need to cut or remove anything,,, I drove it all the way to waters edge towing a trailer and a canoe on top.

As far as crooks, they are anywhere, These are remote places. There is nothing wrong with calling the FS office right there on FM1375, and let then know that you would be parking for an extended stay.

Honestly a locked door only keeps out the LAZY crook,,,,, People need to be aware and assume the risk if they go anywhere these days.

As far as driving a vehicle on those roads, as, long as the pole going across is open and locked open, it is permissible to drive a vehcle on that road. Per USFS New Waverly Office 082409.

I call Navasota PD each time I leave a vehicle under the HWY 6 bridge, for 2 reasons, to request an occassional drive by, and to give a starting point to come looking for me if something happens, if I am by myself.

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:31 pm
by water in my beer
I have not been on 248 in a LONG time. I went today and Randy is right when he says the road is in good condition. That used to be one tough road to drive on and now any vehicle could easily navigate the road. I forgot how pretty the view of the lake is from there.

Also I was clearing the trail on road 204A and got busted by the park ranger. He told me I could lightly maintain the trail but not remove established trees. I had also built a brush fence to hide the trail from non-TKFers. That is frowned upon by park rangers :wink: . He made me remove my "Great Wall of Lake Conroe" but was pleased that I had picked up a TON of trash at the site. There is still plenty there.

If my brother had not been lazy and gone fishing in the morning he would still have a window. Either way I am going fishing there this weeknd so let me know if you want to go, also I plan on finishing my trash pick up if you want to help.

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:50 pm
by shsu05
water in my beer wrote:I have not been on 248 in a LONG time. I went today and Randy is right when he says the road is in good condition. That used to be one tough road to drive on and now any vehicle could easily navigate the road. I forgot how pretty the view of the lake is from there.

Also I was clearing the trail on road 204A and got busted by the park ranger. He told me I could lightly maintain the trail but not remove established trees. I had also built a brush fence to hide the trail from non-TKFers. That is frowned upon by park rangers :wink: . He made me remove my "Great Wall of Lake Conroe" but was pleased that I had picked up a TON of trash at the site. There is still plenty there.

If my brother had not been lazy and gone fishing in the morning he would still have a window. Either way I am going fishing there this weeknd so let me know if you want to go, also I plan on finishing my trash pick up if you want to help.

FS 204 is not in a national park...therefore park rangers did not come see you, they were Forest Service Law enforcement.....so many people get them mixed up...the Sam Houston Natioal Forest is not a park, it is a forest...therefor you will never see a "a park ranger" around that area......just keep in mind of where you are if you intend to use their land....

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 5:12 am
by Randy
Respectfully, I don't think Officer Scott or Officer Magallagher would be offended if they were referred to as "Park Ranger" it is quite clear when you meet them that they are 'Law Enforcement"
I don't think he ment any disrespect.
The National Forest is often referred to as "Park", and " Government Woods"
just as "Dr Pepper" is referred to as 'COKE" or "soda water"
Or referring to a Deputy as a Policeman,,,,,,,,

Randy

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:28 am
by Forever Fishing
shsu05 wrote:
water in my beer wrote:I have not been on 248 in a LONG time. I went today and Randy is right when he says the road is in good condition. That used to be one tough road to drive on and now any vehicle could easily navigate the road. I forgot how pretty the view of the lake is from there.

Also I was clearing the trail on road 204A and got busted by the park ranger. He told me I could lightly maintain the trail but not remove established trees. I had also built a brush fence to hide the trail from non-TKFers. That is frowned upon by park rangers :wink: . He made me remove my "Great Wall of Lake Conroe" but was pleased that I had picked up a TON of trash at the site. There is still plenty there.

If my brother had not been lazy and gone fishing in the morning he would still have a window. Either way I am going fishing there this weeknd so let me know if you want to go, also I plan on finishing my trash pick up if you want to help.

FS 204 is not in a national park...therefore park rangers did not come see you, they were Forest Service Law enforcement.....so many people get them mixed up...the Sam Houston Natioal Forest is not a park, it is a forest...therefor you will never see a "a park ranger" around that area......just keep in mind of where you are if you intend to use their land....
Dang dude I never realized they were so testy about their job titles! Or is it just you? :roll:

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 9:06 am
by water in my beer
Actually, I think it was a supervisor or someone. They had a forest service shirt on but they did not look like law enforcement personel. Doesn't matter anyway still goin fishin if anyone wants to meet up.

Randy, if you spend any more time in the forest you could run for mayor. I know a few of the faces but you know names.

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 4:10 pm
by fishr3
Back in October 2005 I drove to these two kayak launching spots and found a wide expanse of land between shore line and the waters edge. Be sure to check lake elevation levels when choosing a launch site.

Re: 2 more Lake Conroe kayak launch and camping locations

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:13 pm
by Randy
That was when they were doing repairs to the dam, they had to lower the lake level to accomplish the repairs,,, it is fine right now........you can tell if it is that bad as in your photos when you cross the 1375 bridge, because there will be a gazillion stumps exposed, that are just under the water line today that those idiot PB's have no clue of.