The E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Area can be accessed from several locations, the most convenient being Taylor’s Landing at Girdletree, MD. Numerous choices for paddling exist and on this spring day we chose to visit Scarborough Creek and Pikes Creek, for a trip totaling 9 miles.

After launching from the landing, paddle around the first point to the south to find the entrance to Scarborough Creek. There is an old hunting stand, very deteriorated, which makes a good marker for locating the mouth of the creek. From the entrance Scarborough Creek winds through the marsh for over two miles. On the rising tide of this trip we paddled nearly 2.5 miles into the stream. This is the farthest we’ve ever been able to paddle upstream. Noticeable tree damage could be seen which probably resulted from the storms of 2016-2017. Along Scarborough Creek cormorants are abundant, and snowy egrets are abundant in the marsh.

The easiest access to Pikes Creek is through a straight gut just to the south when exiting Scarborough Creek. Turtles abound in this gut and we spotted a manta ray also swimming through the area. Large groups of Foster terns and laughing gulls were feeding in open area of Pikes Creek. When you spot a solitary house on the north bank you have pretty much reached the end of the navigable parts of Pikes Creek. Depending on the tides, and lack of downed trees, you can usually paddle for another mile.

On both Pikes and Scarborough Creek there are few places to put ashore. Be ready to spend a considerable amount of time in your kayak. About a mile into the open area of Pikes Creek there are some beaches next to the hardwoods at the edge of the water.

The water in both Pikes Creek and Scarborough Creek was quite clear on this day in early May. Crabs, fish, manta rays and turtles were easy to spot.

GPS map below shows entrances to creeks. Be aware this area changes constantly due to the shifting marsh.

Directions to Taylors Landing: At the intersection of 113 and 12 in Snow Hill turn south on 12 to Girdletree, about 5 miles. Entering Girdletree, turn left on Box Iron Rd. Go to stop sign, bear left and then stay to the right. Road dead ends at Taylor’s Landing. Port a john is in the parking lot. There are no services in Girdletree. Stores, restaurants etc. are in Snow Hill.

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