Boston Kayaker

Kayaking on Mansfield Hollow Lake North Basin - in Mansfield Center CT


Rating: One-and-a-Half Stars - Got a small kick going under the tunnel to chase Fenton River. The north part of the north basin are filled with aquatic weeds. The Mt Hope River chase is even shorter. Paddle time is 1 hour 20 minutes.

  Put in at Bassett Bridge Road
  ramp in Mansfield CT.
Paddle into Mt Hope River
  inlet and return.
Paddle into Fenton River
  inlet and return.
Estimated round trip
  distance = 3+ miles
  South basin accessible via
  Bassett Bridge tunnel.
Mansfield Hollow
  Dam
Mansfield Hollow
  State Park
 

Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to determine the legality, suitability and safety of this route for yourself.

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Kayaking on Mansfield Hollow Lake North Basin - in Mansfield Center CT

Other resources:
CT Govt: Mansfield hollow State Park (will open in new window)
CT Govt: Mansfield hollow State Park Trail Map
CT Govt: Mansfield hollow State Park Trail Map (cached copy)


Number of original photos on this page : 73
All photos in this website are original and copyrighted.



Corn fields in Mansfield CT.
Trip date is August 2017



Entering Mansfield Hollow State Park.


At Mansfield Hollow Lake at Bassett Bridge Road in Mansfield CT.





The state ramp on Mansfield Hollow Lake.


The Boston Kayaker just launched on Mansfield Hollow Lake.


Looking to my right, the Bassets Bridge to the south basin.


Veered left. Will paddle the north basin and follow the shore on left.





Paddling northeast wards. Will look for the Fenton River.





Young guys on a boat on Mansfield Hollow Lake.





A blue heron on the banks of Mansfield Hollow Lake.





IMG_8164.JPG





That 'cove' ahead behind the dead tree looks like the mouth of the Fenton River.


At the mouth of the Fenton River on the northwest corner of the Mansfield Hollow Lake north basin.





Approaching the Route 89 tunnels on Fenton River








Paddling inside the Route 89 tunnel on Fenton River.


Continuing upstream on Fenton River.




















Fenton River bending to the right.


I can hear and see the rushing water ahead.


This is the farthest point I can paddle on Fenton River.


Just turned around and now paddling with the flow on Fenton River.

















Passing back to the main lake body thru the Route 89 tunnel.





At the mouth of the Fenton River.





Turtles.


Now on the lake, will paddle eastwards to the northeast corner and look for Mount Hope River.


Looking to the right.





Mansfield Hollow Lake north basin as seen from the north end.





Continuing westwards along the north end . . .











More turtles.


I found the Mount Hope River at the north east corner.


Paddling upstream on Mount Hope River.





Mount Hope River immediately narrows and now looks like a regular river.


A bend to the left and I can see I can not paddle very far up.


Very shallow here. Less than knee-deep.


My kayak is on rocks and can not paddle up no more.


Just turned around. Going downstream now on Mount Hope River.


Beyond the shaded banks on right is the Mansfield Hollow Lake main body.


On the mouth of Mount Hope River and entering Mansfield Hollow Lake.


A couple of kayakers on Mansfield Hollow Lake.








Will paddle straight to the ramp where I launched from.


Kayakers. Bassets Bridge Road and the tunnel to the south basin.


Approaching the ramp area.





Landed. Paddle time is 1 hour and 20 minutes.