Rocky Point Launches (3)
Rocky point has three launches, #1 and #2 adjacent to the golf course
 and #3 at the beach at Baltimore County Sailing Center

FIG. 1 view from launch at back end of field near golf
course (Launch #1)--gravel launch area is just to the
right of this photo

upshot:  the two golf course launches are best on a W or NW wind.  These launches are used
in Fall and in Spring when the fronts come thru and you get a strong W or NW wind.  Considered
one of the better launches in the area for a W or a NW wind.  Although the access road to the
golf course launches are blocked by boulders, you are still allowed to launch, provided you first
get a permit.  The boulders are an inconvenience, not an abolition of the launch.

     
 FIG. 2A Aerial view of the vicinity of the three
Rocky Point Launches   

 FIG. 2B close-up aerial view of the Golf Course Launches

Golf Course Launches (Launches 1 & 2)

Directions: use exit 36 on I 695.  This about 10 miles north of the
 Key bridge.  Proceed onto MD Rt 702 South-- eventually becomes
Back Neck River Road.  Follow signs to Ballestone Manor on the
golf course.  Eventually, you will make a left hand turn onto the
golf course and pass Ballestone manor on your right. Take the
first gravel road on your right and follow to an end at an open
grassy field.  From the grassy field are two launches, one to the
right where the gravel ends and one at the back of the field. 
The one at the back of the field takes you down a small path
with a moderate slope to a gravelly launch area that faces SE. 
 The one on the right side of the field upon entering goes
down a very steep slope to a sandy beach that faces SW.

The gravel road leading to these golf course launches has a cable
 and lock strung across the road preventing people from entering
in their cars.  One can get the combination for the
lock for free by contacting Karen Brown at the Back River Rec
Association at 410-887-0217.  She will require you to visit
her in person at 801 Back River Neck Road, Essex, MD 21221
 sometime on a weekday afternoon to get the combination. 
Karen will have you fill out an application, photocopy your
Driver's license, and then give you the combination to gain
access for these launches.

  
FIGS. 3A and 3B view of locked gate on the gravel road leading to
the golf course launches @ Rocky Point.  From Fall 2009 to March 2010,
this gate is blocked by boulders making vehicular access temporarily impossible

FIG. 4 view of sign to the left of the locked gate with the
887-0217 phone number

FIG. 4 view of grassy field leading to the two golf course area
launches--one launch is to the right where the gravel ends
and the other launch is accessed at at the back of the field
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. 6 view of launch at right side of field near golf course
(Launch #2)--note the steep hill leading to a sandy launch area

Baltimore County Sailing Center Launch (Launch #3)

FIG. 7 view of the BCSC beach launch (i.e. launch #3)
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")

Directions: use exit 36 on I 695.  This about 10 miles north of
the Key bridge.  Proceed onto MD Rt 702 South-- eventually
becomes Back Neck River Road. Travel 2.3 miles and
make a left onto Barrison Point Road.  Then, make a right onto
 Rocky Point Road and drive into park.  The toll is $7.  Once
past the park entrance, continue until you see a couple
of beige buildings on the left and a parking area on the right. 
This is the beach area.

FIG. 8 view of beige buildings on left and parking area on
right for the beach (Launch #3) to the left