Cane Bayou - Mandeville, LA

Cane Bayou, Mandeville LA	Alligator leading the way to Lake Pontchartrain
Paddle Date 05 - 10 - 2008
Directions from New Orleans: I-10 West toward Baton Rouge Exit at the Causeway and take it to the North Shore US 190 East - follow sings for Fontainebleau State Park. You will pass the park, then keep an eye out for a fire station on your left. Across from the Fire Station is a dirt road where you will find the launch. (Directions from Bayou Haystackers Paddling Club)

Rating: 3.5 'gators out of 5

Some goof, a jeep and 4 kayaks
We took 4 kayaks on this trip. One gotcha - because the jeep was taller than 7' with the kayaks, the return toll on the Causeway was $6.

Below is the put in at Cane Bayou in Mandeville Louisiana (North Shore). It is an easy, graduated sandy put in with a gentle slope. We arrived around noon, amidst many paddlers of all varieties (adults with canoes, kayaks and children in tow) returning from the water. This area is open to motor-boats, and the left side of the put in has a much deeper slope to accommodate larger boats on trailers.

Cane Bayou put in area
Getting ready to paddle Cane Bayou for the first time. As a beginning kayakers, one of my concerns is "where will I be able to put in without flipping?" At this location, it was no problem!

Cane Bayou put in from water
The put in area from the water - human activity abounds with people loading and unloading watercraft.

A little picture of a little turtle

Bridge overpass

The Gang (Dennis, Michelle, Katie)
The gang at Cane Bayou

One of the really fun things about Cane Bayou is it meets up with Lake Pontchartrain - you can have two very different paddling experiences
all in one trip. This shot is looking back toward Cane Bayou from out in the lake.
Lake Pontchatrian

Dennis on the lake

More lovely scenery in Cane Bayou
Michelle and Katie in Cane Bayou

To make it a fun day, grab a bite to eat at Friends on the Tchefuncte river after paddling. They have
expanded the restaurant and added an upstairs deck. Lots of boat traffic and activity on the river on nice days.
I didn't get a shot of the restaurant, or the deck - so here is a nice shot of the road across from the parking lot.
Sorry - maybe next time.
Friends at Friends

More Info on Cane Bayou (external links):

http://www.pies.uno.edu/Education/cane_bayou_canoe_trips.htm

http://www.bayouhaystackers.com/TripLeaderFrame.htm

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Questions, comments, experiences -- email me: johnkosta shift2 earthlink.net

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