Steinhagen, Martin Dies SP C

Steinhagen. This is another paddle route up into the Angelina and Neches River starting from the Martin Dies State Park boat launch. This route initially hugs the east shore of the lake before entering the forest. How close you can to the shore get depends on the level of salvinia, hydrilla etc. The route then works its way north and explores the tangle of channels on the east side of the Angelina river. This area is confusing and it takes time to sort out the intersecting channels. Some look like they could go further but they terminate, usually due to salvinia overgrowth, and you can only go so far. And there are alligators in the weeds! After a couple short portages, shown in yellow, I reached the Angelina River. The route then goes south and, rather than do a flatwater paddle on the river (called the Neches after the confluence) all the way back, it splits into a little known channel that winds down to the reservoir. In another trip I explore this area more thoroughly. After exiting the channel into Steinhagen Reservoir it’s pretty straightforward to paddle back to the park. This was an intricate and challenging paddle. Great! This area is one of my favorites.