Paddling the Corsica River Water Trails

Peale kayaking on the Corsica River.

Saki

Like many water trails, the Corsica River Water Trails are easy to access, have lovely scenery, and provide many opportunities for spotting wildlife.  That alone makes them a worthwhile place to paddle, but what sets these trails apart from others is their history.

All these trails connect to Centreville Wharf, a place that was once a hub for trade in the 18th and 19th centuries.  Other than a few information signs, little remains to remind people of the significance of this wharf through which tobacco, wheat, cattle and even circus elephants once passed.  These trails preserve the memory of how the waterways in this area created Centreville, the largest town and county seat of Queen Anne’s County, Maryland.

The Corsica River Water Trails are comprised of three short water trails which can be paddled separately: Mill Stream Trail, Yellow Bank Stream Trail, and Alder Branch Trail; all are suitable for folks with little paddling experience, assuming mild weather conditions. Conditioned, intermediate kayakers should be able to complete them all in one day. Centreville Landing, requires the purchase of a Queen Anne’s County public landing permit.  This permit can be bought at several locations for day or annual use, and allows one to park and launch at 18 landing facilities in the county.  Centreville Landing has a restroom and concrete boat ramp while next door, at Centreville Wharf, there is a floating dock at the end of a four-foot-wide walkway where one can launch for free so long as vehicles do not park in trailer spaces or spots reserved for boat slip renters.

If you want to paddle all the Corsica River Water Trails in a single outing, you should allocate four hours and time your trip so that high tide hits midway through. You will find that you should start such a journey with the Alder Branch Trail. It is documented as a 2.5-mile round trip route, but if you want to see the truly picturesque sections, then this is at least a 4-mile round trip.  The first and last 1.2 miles follow the Corsica River along an exposed section where you’ll likely encounter powerboat traffic.  While this may not sound appealing, the voyage up Alder Branch more than makes up for it.

On the north side of the branch, slightly upstream of the mouth, you’ll see a photogenic great blue heron rookery which will likely be occupied from March to May. If wildlife photography is your passion, bring a telephoto lens, time your visit with the morning sun, stick to the south side of the branch, and look north.  Avoid venturing ashore since much of the surrounding land is privately owned. Herons aren’t the only things to see on the Alder Branch Trail.  Keep your eyes peeled for movement in the water and you might be lucky enough to spot a snake or muskrat. If you paddle all three trails in the same day, the Mill Stream Trail makes a good middle destination because it is an ideal rest stop.  Handholds fixed to a sturdy wooden post make taking out or putting in at the Millstream Park landing easy.

At Millstream Park, once the location of the Centreville spur of the Queen Anne’s Railroad Company, you’ll find a porta-john, picnic tables, and a nearly one-mile-long handicapped-accessible paved walking trail running alongside Mill Stream.  This makes it a fantastic place to stop for lunch and stretch your legs with a brisk walk.  One can also launch non-motorized vessels from this park. It doesn’t require purchasing a public landing permit, but doing so will require a 160-foot carry to the water.

The Yellow Bank Stream Trail is described as a 3-mile round trip, and I’ve found this to be true if you turn around at the first portage.  On this route, you will likely find pickerelweed and lizard's tail lining the shore. On the Yellow Bank Stream Trail, you’ll pass under the Watson Road bridge, a popular angler destination, so keep a watch out for fishing lines.  You’ll also paddle near the original homestead of the 1670 Chesterfield land grant made to William Hemsley upon which the town of Centerville was established.

For a day full of paddling, a weekend trip, or to experience paddling for the first time the Corsica River Water Trails are sure to impress!

This is an abridged article originally written by Saki.