Chincoteague#

FIG. 1A view of the beautiful Chincoteague launch area into Tom's Cove
(to view a land photo:   if browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), use "control =" to zoom in by
hitting the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed.  To zoom back out, use "control -".  If browser is
Netscape or Firefox, simply right click on the photo and then select "View Image")

FIG. 1B aerial view of the launch area

The Chincoteague launch is within Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. 
 It within the state of Virginia and is at the south end of Assateague
Island at Tom's Cove. 

Directions:   Take U.S. 50 East and cross bay bridge.  At 50/301 split, 
stay on Rt 50 E to Ocean city.  Follow U.S. 50 around Easton,
Cambridge.  Upon approaching Salisbury, get on the Salisbury bypass
and take to an end where you exit onto U.S. 13 South towards Norfolk. 
Travel about 31 miles South on U.S. 13 and turn left onto VA Rt 175 East
 at a traffic light about 4 miles after entering Virginia.  Travel about 10.5
miles until you reach the first traffic light in Chincoteague.  Turn left onto
 Main St and travel about 0.4 miles and turn right onto Maddux Blvd. 
Continue on Maddox Blvd into park.  After toll booth, continue straight
to an end at a traffic circle by the ocean beach.  Turn right at the traffic
circle and head south to an end.  You pass the Fool's Launch on your
right (see FIG. 5 below), parking areas 2, 3 etc and go as far as ordinary
vehicular traffic is allowed and unload gear then park.

At the southern end of where ordinary vehicles are allowed, Tom's cove
 is to your right.  You will find paths through the grass to get to the sandy
 launch area on Tom's Cove.  These paths are between 300 and 400 feet
long.  A cart is recommended to carry your gear, but it is not absolutely
necessary.

At parking lot 2, the shoreline of Tom's Cove comes right up to the road. 
However a launch from here is difficult as one must walk or tack to head
 out into the bay.

If you have a 4WD vehicle, it may be possible, if the beach is not closed
 due to wildlife issues, to drive further south beyond where regular cars
can go.  This will allow you a shorter carry to the water.  You must have
a permit, a 4WD vehicle, and the road must be open for you to do this.

Launch faces W

Best Wind Directions:  S, SW, W, NW and maybe N

Amenities:  Port-o-potties

Regulations:  It is advised that you call ahead to see what portions
of the park, what roads, what beaches etc are closed due to wildlife
conservation issues.  Major parts of the park frequently close due to
these issues.

FIG. 2 view of the 350 ft path through the grass from the car road
 to the sandy launch area
(to view a photo:   if browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), use "control =" to zoom in by
hitting the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed.  To zoom back out, use "control -".  If browser
is Netscape or Firefox, simply right click on the photo and then select "View Image")

FIG. 3 you are rewarded with view of the sandy launch area on
Tom's cove--call ahead to make sure that it isn't closed due to
wildlife conservation issues (to view a photo:   if browser is Microsoft Internet
Explorer (IE), use "control =" to zoom in by hitting the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed. 
To zoom back out, use "control -".  If browser is Netscape or Firefox, simply right click
 on the photo and then select "View Image")

FIG. 4 view of the Tom's Cove launch at sunset

FIG. 5 close-up aerial view of the Tom's cove launch area

The Fool's Launch is a place where the water gets very close to
 the road and one is tempted to stop here and launch therefrom as
 the gear carry distance is small.  It is best not to launch from the
Fool's Launch because 1) you must sail out of a narrow channel,
often requiring numerous tacks, 2) there are obstructions in the
water in the form of vertical pipes from fishing nets near the Fool's
Launch, making it a bit of a safety hazard, and 3) the True Launch
further on down the road is a much better launch even though it
has a 300 foot gear carry.  It is not that it is impossible to launch
from the Fool's launch, but in the long run, one would come
out ahead by passing the Fool's launch behind and going for
the true launch further on down.