Trap Pond, DE

We had several days of bad weather, but with a good forecast for

today, David Sockrider and I made plans for a final day of paddling

on Trap Pond.

 

The ultimate trivia question is, “Where will you find the most Northern stand of mature bald cypress trees.” Trap Pond. Dave Sockrider and I headed out to paddle Trap Pond, near Laurel, DE. Trap Pond State Park is there, and we weren’t about to make the same mistake we had at Killens Pond, so we headed directly to the gate and got our day pass and a map of the lake.

Bald Cypress surround the pond and headwaters, but a few

stands occur out in open water.

 

The 90-acre pond was created in the late 1700’s to provide hydro-power for a saw mill. After the cypress trees were harvested, the mill cut them into lumber. The federal government purchased the pond in the 1930‘s, along with 2,000 acres of surrounding farm lands, and the Civilian Conservation Corps began making the area suitable for recreation. It became one of Delaware’s first state parks in 1951.



Cypress in a cove with a state park rental canoe

pulled up to a camping site.

 

We paddled 4-miles around the pond. Once you reach the southeast corner of the pond, the park staff has established a paddling trail that takes you a mile or so further up the headwaters. We went as far as we could until we met deadfall. Between it and having to search for a hole in the bank where I could turn Buddy’s 14-ft length around, that signaled it was time to head back to open water.



One of the many coves we paddled into.

 

Once we reached the take-out and got our canoe and kayak loaded, we returned to the state park, picked a nice shaded table in a grove of trees, and enjoyed lunch. It was another relaxing day to enjoy Dave’s company, but our time in Delaware was coming to a close. And, most of our paddling would be done for awhile also, as we spent a week visiting with family.