Exploring Foxley Bay, Cascumpec

On a beautiful early September day, I decided to explore the Foxley Bay/River from Gordon’s wharf in Cascumpec. Gordon’s wharf is not a pier anymore, but it is still a very active boat launching spot for oystermen.  Gordon’s Point provides boating access north into Cascumpec Bay and south into the Foxley river system.  I have launched my MYS15 sailing skiff at Gordon’s wharf for trips into Cascumpec Bay in previous years. But today, for the first time, I was going to explore the Foxley Bay by kayak.

Foxley Bay area (13.2 km track)

GE map view

The Foxley Bay/River is a short river system with many channels to the south and east. The main channel is 12 km from the river mouth at Gordon’s Point to the Carleton bridge at highway 2. But, at the main river junction, the channel going upstream to the Carleton bridge is called the Trout River (not to be confused with the Trout River in Tyne Valley area or the Trout River near Stanley Bridge).

The first thing I noticed paddling up the Foxley Bay is the largest erratic I’ve ever seen in PEI.  It’s on the eastern shore near McNally’s Point.  Then, as I paddled further, I quickly realized that the Foxley River is one huge commercial oyster farm. There are oyster cages everywhere and also quite a few oyster processing platforms (floating buildings) on the river. I kept following the eastern shore and soon made a stop on a pleasant walking beach for a break.  I could hear the peat moss mining noises to the north of the beach (0.5 km away).  There’s an off-grid cottage on this beach (from Canadian Road). I’m not sure that this road is public to the shore, but there were a few trucks and boat trailers in the area.

From that beach, I crossed Foxley Bay to the shoreline just to the west of the MacDonald’s River.  That shore also turned out to be a lovely walking beach to explore and a good lunch place. But halfway through my bagel & peanut butter, an annoying noise started up just inside the shoreline – a tree harvesting machine was clearing out the forest on the west side at the mouth of the MacDonald River.

The 5 km paddle back to Gordon’s wharf was good with a short shore break and a few photos. I plan to explore the Foxley/Trout River network more over the next few years. Here are some possible trips (paddling or rowing):

-       Cascumpec bridge to the Carleton highway bridge (5.5+ km one way)

-       Cascumpec bridge to Mary River at highway 2 (4+ km one way)

-       Cascumpec bridge up the George River (3+ km one way)

-       Cascumpec bridge up the Portage River (4+ km one way)

-       Canadian Road bridge up the MacDonald’s River (4+ km one way)

-       Canadian Road bridge to Foxley River bridge (2.5+ km one way)

-       Gordon’s wharf up the Oyster River (3.5+ km one way)

Carolina Sea Lavender	Marsh Skullcap

For more Foxley Bay iNaturalist observations: Click here.