Thatch Island Loop
Gallery
Store
Quick Facts
| Features | wildlife, birds |
| Access | boat launch |
| Route Difficulty | easy |
| Water Body Type | river |
| Current Type | moderate |
| Route Type | loop |
| Route Distance | 4.0 km |
| Portage Distance | none |
| Estimated Time | 1 hr 30 mins |
| Elevation Change | none |
| Scenery Rating | beautiful |
| Cell Reception | strong |
| Fees | none |
Description
I unloaded the canoe and placed it at the waters edge. The water was high and up into the bushes along the boat launch. Vanessa Vandervalk from CBC radio had agreed to go canoeing with me as part of a paddling series they were doing for CBC's Shift NB. As I waited, I watched an osprey soaring overhead. He was doing large circles and slowly coming towards me. When he got close he must have seen a fish because he started to hover in one spot. He must have lost sight of the fish because he stopped hovering and went back to his large circles. It was a hot day so he had some good thermals to float on.
A young couple showed up in a jeep, unloaded their inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboards (SUPs), and started to inflate them. Vanessa arrived and we got caught up. It had been a couple of years since I had talked to her last. We had to wait until the SUP compressors were done to do an interview for the series. When we finished the couple asked about the interview before they headed out into the main river to fish.
We got everything ready and pushed off. We made our way around the end of the boats and the wharf. We headed up river towards the side channel beside Thatch Island. There was a bit of a current but it wasn't enough to change our leasurely paddling strokes. When we got close the channel we noticed that the island was partly under water. It was mid-August and the water was unseasonably high. There had been a lot of rain. We were going under a hardwood tree near the shore when I looked up and saw a Great Blue Heron in the tree above us. I didn't even have time to grab my camera before we had passed under it. A great way to start an adventure.
We went around the turn and into the channel. As we did we came face to face with another heron. This heron didn't appreciate our surprise so she squawked loud enough to startle us. She then flew deeper onto the island, behind a hardwood tree. After we apologized to the heron we continued our paddle along the shore.
As we paddled along the island we told our paddling stories. I thought I saw an animal in the trees on the island. Sometimes I want to see animals so badly, that I feel like I can will them into existence. When we got closer we realized it was just a stump. The stories carried us along and we adjusted to each others paddling. Soon we were at the end of the island. We turned around the end of the island and both commented on how beautiful and calm it was this evening.
As we started down the outside of the island, we could hear eagles in the trees on the other side of the river. There were also a couple of ospreys circling above. After a while we looked up and were suprised to see cows on the island. I knew they were on Oromocto Island but didn't think Thatch Island was big enough for them. They seemed unphased by our passing. I am guessing they had seen quite a few boats pass by this summer.
After we passed the cows, a beaver popped up between us and the shore. He followed along at the same speed as us. I am guessing he had a house nearby and was making sure we kept moving. After we got far enough he slapped his tail on the water and disappeared. As we came around the corner at the end of the island, we saw one more large bald eagle sitting in the tree above us. A great way to end off a wildlife filled paddling adventure.
Map
Directions
If you are coming from the Fredericton direction, take exit 301 in Oromocto. Turn right onto Waasis Road and continue through the lights. From the lights continue straight on Waasis Road for another 1.7 kilometres and then turn left onto MacDonald Avenue. Continue on MacDonald Avenue for 1.1 kilometres and turn left onto Onondaga Street. Continue on Onondaga Street for 400 metres and turn left on Wharf Road. Drive past the parking areas and then stay left on Wharf Road. After going around a sharp turn you will see the boat launch on the left, down by the river. Use caution when turning into the boat launch. It is a bit of a drop and the pavement is uneven.
If you are coming from the Moncton or Saint John direction, take exit 303 and turn right towards Oromocto. Continue straight through three roundabouts and after 2.1 kilometres you will come to a stop sign. Turn right onto Waasis Road and then turn left onto Mitchell Street. At the next stop sign turn right onto MacDonald Avenue. After 250 metres turn left onto Onondaga Street. Continue on Onondaga Street for 400 metres and turn left on Wharf Road. Drive past the parking areas and then stay left on Wharf Road. After going around a sharp turn you will see the boat launch on the left, down by the river. Use caution when turning into the boat launch. It is a bit of a drop and the pavement is uneven.
Trail Last Hiked: August 17, 2023.
Page Last Updated: November 30, 2023.