Yesterday I kayaked from Cattle Landing on Meredith Neck to Stonedam Island (5 miles round trip). I first came upon Horse Island off the south eastern tip of Meredith Neck. It was a calm day and the views of the Belknap Range to the south were spectacular.
Stonedam Island is a conserved property of the Lakes Region Conservation Trust. The island is comprised of 112-acres with 2.7 miles of undeveloped shoreline. The sound of birds calls were abounding as I paddled around the shore.
The primary point of access for boaters is a dock (3 hour limit) at the Northeast of the island near the entrance to Sally’s Gut. There is a log cabin near this dock that dates to the mid-1800’s.
I then paddled through Sally’s Gut, the narrow channel that separates Stonedam Island from Meredith Neck on the mainland. I noticed an area roped off for nesting Loons and saw one on a nest on shore. It is also clear where the old stone causeway had been that connected the island to the mainland.
As I emerged from Sally’s Gut and headed down the west side of Stonedam I could see Pitchwood Island and Welcome Island. I passed next to Isle of Pines (a tiny island with only a dock and BBQ grill). On the south western tip of Stonedam Island there is an area to dock kayaks (no limit) and a picnic table. The Red Trail leads off from this point for hiking into the interior of the island.
I hiked the trails of the island – Swamp Loop (less than a half mile leads from boat dock to swamp), Main Loop (less than a mile up near the “summit” of the island), and Long Loop Trail (just under 2 miles that goes over the ridge of the island to and along its western shore between the boat dock and the kayak landing area). It’s a peaceful hike with many places to stop and picnic.