The Lower Hay Stacks Loop

Distance: 5.3 miles

Difficulty Level: Moderate 

The “Hay Stacks” is an area leaving many confused as to exactly what the “Hay Stacks” are.  Getting a definitive answer may lead to frustration, however, this lower loop will provide plenty of water to cover in the “Hay Stacks” area.  This specific route measurement is an outside loop of the lower portion of the “Hay Stacks” and does not include any exploration of the inner tidal creeks.  

The compiled information describes the “Hay Stacks” as beginning at the Northwest side of Crab Point and extending Southwest to Phillips Island.  The upper portion of the “Hay Stacks” is land belonging to the State of North Carolina and the larger lower portion is private property. In the kayak trails of this area the “Hay Stacks”, as a whole, will be divided into two separate trails. The upper portion will be listed as Crab Point Loop and the lower as The Lower Hay Sacks Loop.  For the athlete and adventurer needing more mileage to feed their soul, both ends will be combined to create The Hay Stacks Loop Proper.   

The Lower Hay Stacks Loop is not a trail for just anyone.  Some will find this loop boring due to the redundancy of grassy marsh.  If you like fishing from your kayak this is most definitely a place for you to check out.  Bait fish abound along the edge of this loop which obviously attracts the Trout and Drum.  

Bird watchers will enjoy this loop because a wide variety of birds hunt, fish and nest in this area.  Pictures and video opportunities will be frequent.  

This loop is enjoyable for two additional reasons. The wind and currents provide an opportunity to exercise. These exercise sessions provide an opportunity to improve as a padder. Second, the isolation of the grassy shorelines.  Slowly paddling these shore lines while listening to a good book or some great music is a healthy escape.

Planning Expectations:

Wind

Tidal Current

Tide Level 

Chop

Boat Activity 

Oyster Beds

Navigation skill or tools

Shallows

Wind:

Wind in this area is predominantly northerly, southerly or some variation of either depending on the time of year.  Expect wind resistance of some sort in this area. It is raret to paddle any of the local coastal trails without experiencing an impact of wind. 

Tidal Current:

Other than the brief pauses of slack tide, there will, most always, be a tidal current influencing the movement of water here in the Hay Stacks.  During a flowing tide the current will be flowing inland towards or into all the local bays and creeks.  An ebbing tide will be pulling water from the inland bays and creeks. A simple reference to use for current movement would be rising tide currents will be headed inland from the big bridge. During a falling tide, the current will be headed toward the bridge.  When paddling this loop wind and tide current will have the greatest impact on your trip.  This will be even more evident the closer you get to the main channel.  When paddling loops, paddle against the tidal current first and enjoy the ride on the way back.

Tide Level:

Paying attention to tide level is critical in the Hay Stacks if you plan to explore the inner mazes of creeks weaving throughout.  Depending on tide levels, a paddler can easily get stuck in some areas if caught during low tide. 

Chop:

Chop in this area is something to expect at some point during this loop.  Occasionally there will be days with very little wind and boating traffic, but rarely. 

Boat Activity:

There will be boat activity in this area especially on weekends and holidays.  Hanging close to the grass line will help keep out of harm's way but you will still be subject to boat wake at times.  

Oyster Beds:

Oyster Beds will be all along most grass lines during this entire loop and specifically so in the tidal creeks flowing through the Hay Stacks.  These beds can pose a hazard to both your kayak hull and your feet.  As the tide current ebbs and flows, the water becomes murky and conceals the oyster beds.  Hidden oyster beds are easy to hit when paddling. 

Navigation Tools:

Unless you are familiar with the Hay Stacks, the need for a navigation app is pretty high.  The app doest need to be highly sophisticated or extremely detailed.  A simple aerial view of the area and your location is all that is needed.  This tool is especially important if you plan to explore or fish the inner creeks of the Hay Stacks.  Having a navigation tool can remove guess work if you need a rapid retreat to deeper water.  

Shallows:

Depending on tide transition, shallows may be very common in spots along the entire loop. Shallows are the flats where the water is deep enough to float a kayak yet shallow enough that a paddle becomes far less efficient.  These shallows will have a paddler torn between getting out and pulling the kayak and toughing it out with the paddle.  

The Launch:

The launch for this loop is located at 7th and Bay Street in Morehead City.  The official name for this launch is Conchs Point.  This is a short gravel access road ending in front of a small gazebo attached to a simple boat dock.  The boat dock extends out into Calico Bay where people will occasionally fish.  

The kayak launch is a primitive extension of the gravel drive out into the bay.  There is room for approximately 4 trucks out near the gazebo and possibly 4 more along the road side by the launch entrance. While there are no signs, parking etiquette seems as basic as the launch itself.  Park in a manner that leaves space for others while not blocking the gravel drive.

***It should be noted that this gravel drive is impacted by tide level and wind.  During high tide and under certain wind conditions, parts of this gravel access road will be underwater.***

Before shoving off on this loop, it is a good idea to walk out to the end of the boat dock.  Taking a few extra minutes to assess Calico Bay can provide extra real time information not available on most weather apps.  Overcast and haze can change paddling dynamics on open water.  Taking time to look at the general area while standing on an elevated dock can help you make better sense of heading targets.  You will quickly find that this area is mostly grass shore lines which can create optical illusions in relation to distance and location. 

The shove off:

As you shove off from Conches Point, you will see some old faded black and white buoys.  Remember these because they will help on your return to the ramp.  Paddle out to them then turn right (North).  As you head North, pick out a spot on the other side of Calico Bay and start paddling.  The area you are paddling toward is called Willis Point and is covered in oyster beds so be careful as you get close. The distance across the bay is about a half mile depending on tide level.  Wherever you happen to arrive at Willis Point, continue to paddle keeping the grass line to your left.  Until you round the tip of Willis Point, this area may look a little confusing due to grassy shore lines.  

Willis Point:

After arriving and rounding Willis Point, choose to cross the channel however you like. Boat traffic is low here and visibility is good in both directions. Cross the channel at approximately the same angle of the grass line of the Lower Hay Stacks.

Lower Hay Stacks:

Upon reaching this area, the goal is to keep the grass line to your right side as you complete the loop.  If at any time you decide to explore any of the tidal creeks inside the grassy marsh, be sure you have the tide in your favor. 

As you paddle around this loop, you will see much of the same thing all the way around.  This loop is mostly grassy marsh full of bird watching and fishing opportunities.  While there are no possible landing spots to get out and explore, there will be plenty of shallow flats in which you can get out and wade with your kayak.  

Southeast Corner of the Lower Hay Stacks:

As you reach the Southeast corner of the Lower Hay Stacks, Phillips Island will be on the left.  Phillips Island is public land that can legally be used to take a break and explore the remnants of an old fish processing plant. In this area there will also be a couple creeks heading into the Lower Hay Stacks area. One of the channels has a private boat dock and path leading up to a building.

If you continue to paddle past Phillips Island and the channels leading into the stacks, you will round the bottom Southeast corner to the right.  Here you will find a beach that is the perfect resting spot and hangout.  Again this is private property, however I see boats parked here regularly during the summer months.  In short, you would need to follow your own conscience whether or not you use this beach as a rest stop.

Crab Point Thoroughfare:

From the beach at the bottom Southeast corner of the Lower Hay Stacks is the mouth of Calico Bay.  This channel is known as Crab Point Thoroughfare and it will have to be crossed at some point to return to the launch.  From here, use the cell tower resembling the Seattle Space needle as a reference.  This heading will get you in a location general enough in-which you will be able to start scanning the shore line in search of the launch.  This launch can seem difficult to find because it is protected by a line of coastal marsh grass.  

The Return to Conchs Point Launch:

As mentioned earlier, the grass shore lines create depth illusions which can and will complicate relocating the kayak launch.  If you chose to cross at the same point as this map, just continue to paddle with the grass line to your left.  After crossing the channel of Calico Bay, it is roughly three quarters of a mile to the ramp.  Choosing to stay tight to the grass line will take you near the yacht basin and increase the distance another half mile.  Due to the amount of shallow flats and oyster beds along the grass shore line, it can be preferable to remain in deeper water.

As you continue to paddle toward the launch, remember the faded black and white buoys look for them and use them as a reference.  These buoys act as guides for slightly deeper water during low tide as well.