Siddie Fields (Croatan NF) to Core Creek Ramp

DESCRIPTION

• Paddle distance:  9.5 miles or 18 miles
• Put-in:  Siddie Fields (Croatan NF) (N34 55.807 W76 47.476)
• Take-out:  End of Adams Creek Road (Beach) (N34 56.403 W76 39.709)
• Optional Take-out:  Ramp under NC 101 Bridge (N34 49.475 W76 41.453)
• Trip Highlights:  Open River to Creeks, Some birds and wildlife.
• Trip Difficulty:  Moderate/Demanding due to open water.
• Hazards:  Boat traffic, wind, waves and open water.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO

PUT-IN:  Siddie Fields (Croatan NF)

• From Havelock, take NC 101 toward Beaufort to (SR 1711) Temple Point Road and turn left (at Church/Cemetery). Travel 2.0 miles to NC 1762 and turn left. Follow 1.5 miles past Pine Cliff Rd to FR 167 (gravel road) and turn left and continue bearing left to end of road. Launch on beach.

TAKE-OUT:  Beach at end of Adams Creek Road

• From Havelock, take NC 101 toward Beaufort, turn left on Adams Creek Road in Harlowe. Follow Adams Creek Road to end of road (about 11 miles), Launch from beach.

OPTIONAL TAKE-OUT:  Under NC 101 Bridge

• From Havelock, turn into the Sea Gate Development before crossing the ICW. Follow Old Bridge Road, .7 miles to Sea Gate and turn right. Go about 50 yards, turn left on Church Gate Lane. Once under bridge, ramp on left.

PADDLE TRIP SUMMARY

The paddle starts at the beach at Siddie Fields (a primitive camping area of the Croatan National Forest) and heads down (to the right) the Neuse River. Passing Clubfoot Creek and Great Island you reach the entrance into Adams Creek (part of ICW). Adams Creek is more then 1 mile wide but reduces to a narrow man-made canal in less than 6 miles. The last five miles of the trail are in Adams Creak Canal, a narrow section of the Intra-Coastal Waterway with unusually heavy boat/barge traffic. Tidal current can be STRONG, check tide before entering Adams Creek Canal.

TRIP DETAILS

• PUT-IN:  From the beach launch, paddle down steam on the Neuse River (to the right) toward Clubfoot Creek.
• Mile 3.2:  After crossing Clubfoot Creek, Paddle between Great Island and shoreline.
• Mile 3.8:  Mouth of Long Creek (can explore less then 1/2 mile).
• Mile 5.4:  After passing the mouth of Courts Creek, continue to follow the right shoreline.
• Mile 6.2:  After passing Great Neck Point, and about 1 mile later the mouth of Godfrey and Delamar Creeks you enter Adams Creek.
• Mile 9.3:  Along the right shoreline, you will see a sand beach and the end of Adams Creek Road which is a convenient place to pull-out or take a lunch break or rest stop. Across Adams Creek (about 1 mile) is the entrance to Cedar Creek with its explorable tributaries; Jonaquine and Cullie Creeks. At the point before entering Jonaquine Creek is a community ramp, park, picnic tables and porta-potty.
• Mile 11.3:  Continuing south, you will see the opening into Back Creek along the east shoreline. If you decide to explore this area, you can paddle more then 3 miles from the confluence of Back and Adams Creeks. At that point, you will pass under the Merrimon Road Bridge. Actually, this is the extreme end of the Craven County line and one can launch from the drainage ditches along the side of the road. One could launch from here and enjoy a day of exploration on Back Creek and south to Isaac Creek.
• Mile 12.8:  Continuing along Adams Creek and along the right shore is B&B Mobile Resort (off of Adams Creek Road and 7.9 miles from NC 101) with its private boat ramp ($5 launch fee).
• Mile 13.0:  Enter Adams Creek Canal.
• Mile 14.5:  Craven - Carteret County line and the start of SeaGate Residential Development.
• Mile 16.0:  Entrance to Sea Gate Marina and another boat launch ramp ($5 launch fee).
• TAKE-OUT:  As you approach the 65' high NC 101 Bridge, there is a small take-out along the right bank, behind bridge pilings. Another place to pull out is across ICW at a private ramp with fee box. (TOTAL TRIP 18 MILES)