Wisconsin River Paddle - Plan On More Like This One

2Ks Wisconsin River trip went better than expected.  The weather forecast said it would rain all weekend. We were so glad this wasn't the case.  This time around, Rick, Boyd, Roy, Mike and myself met at the Rt. 23 bridge and the Wisconsin River.  But before we put-in, there were the standard scouting missions to find the best breakfast and the best coffee.  Needless to say, our scouting interfered with our scheduled put-in time, but it didn't effect our paddle.  Saturday mornings weather went from rain to drizzle to overcast.  By noon, the sun was beginning to peek thru the clouds and we were down to tee shirts.

Our original plan was to put-in at Spring Green at the Wisconsin River, find a sand bar for our first nights camp, continue our paddle on day two, then take-out at Boscobel.  However, in the interest of combining a good river paddle with a bunch of relaxation, we shortened our paddle and decided to take-out at the Muscoda DNR landing.  This allowed us to slow down and plan our next 2K guided paddle (Fall Foto Paddle) on this same stretch of river on October 16th-17th.

The distance from Spring Green to Muscoda is 21.9 miles.  With the current, the miles go by easily.  It was not difficult to paddle 5 miles in one hour.  But this is not the pace that we will hold for our Fall Foto River Trip.  Our goal then is to paddle and relax and to capture the beauty and spectacular colors of God's Fall season.

My favorite part of the trip was a toss between the sand bar Islands along the Lower Wisconsin State River way and camping on them.  During both the paddling and camping segments we enjoyed each others company and were able to let loose and laugh.  We all learned again the stuff we should leave at home and the stuff we should have brought.  Our camp fire kept the sand warm and the sand kept our feet warm.  After dinner and a couple hours of camp fire, we were ready to retreat to our individual tents.  It was nice to pitch our tents on the sand wherever we pleased and even nicer not to have a rock or a tree root poking me in my side.

For more pictures, visit 2K Adventure group on facebook.  Some of the guys will be posting more as time slides bye.

There were two other things that just - well call it lucky.  As the day was on its way out, some fishermen made their way back to the boat landing.  Being thirsty and knowing fishermen, Rick and I paddled across the river.  I asked the fishermen if I could hitch a ride into town so I could buy a few brewskis.  They talked - and honestly, I liked their idea better.  For a nominal fee, they produced twelve beers on ice.  3 Guinness, 3 Leini original, 1 Dale's Pale Ale, 4 miller light, and 1 Supper Club.  Thank you fishermen.

The other thing was, I finally tried on my Five Finger Foot Wear knock offs.  They are water proof, fleece lined, and gripped well.  I love them and they will be with me on all of my cold weather paddle trips.

Nippersink Creek Cleanup Sept. 25th, 8am to 12 noon.

_*Sept. 25th Water Trail Clearing*_
We will meet at 8 am. at 332 Fellows Rd. in Genoa City, WI, 53128. Rain Date the 26th.
There is a trail that follows the creek at the north end of the parking lot.
If people are late, I will post a sign on the back of my car to let people know:
1. to walk up the trail to where one team is- with their equipment, OR
2. to drive farther north on Fellows Rd.- 1/2 mile- and meet at the Veterans Park, OR
3 to head to the Darling Rd. bridge east of Cty. Rd - H -1/2 mile more.

The Nippersink Creek blockages mainly consists of Sieves, branches, and 1 to 1.5 foot tree trunks.
Please use vegetable oil in the chainsaws that may be used near/in the water.
_*We need:*_
People on land and in the water,
Chainsaws, loppers, bow/hand saws
Come Alongs,
Winches
Wear waders if planning to be in the water, or old shoes and pants,
Rakes

Elizabeth Lyons
Nippersink Trail Project
262-206-1569

Wisconsin River Fall Foto Paddle - 10/16 & 17, 2010

Join us on the Wisconsin River for two days of paddling and an overnight on a sand bar.  Bring your cameras, this time of year is a treat.

The fall color should be in full swing and this will be a great time to see Bald Eagles. Weekend trip includes boat rental, vest, paddle and all meals ($165.00). If you bring your own boat the cost is $65.00.


Our plan:
Saturday 10/16/10, meet and Put-in at Spring Green's Peck's boat landing at 8:00am.  Then we'll shuttle the vehicles to Muscodo.  Put-in time is about 9:00am.

Our Saturday segment is 15 miles.  Our Sunday segment is about 7 miles.  The boat you paddle will make a difference.  We recommend that if you bring your own boat it is 12 feet in length or more.
 

Camping:
You will need to provide your own gear for this trip.  We recommend that you pack your boat at home before the trip to ensure that everythig fits. It is helpfull to pack as light as possible.  Stop in the store if you have any questions.

Temperature and Weather:
The weather may be cool.  Pack your Dry Bags and select the clothing and sleeping bag that fits the forecast. 

If you have any questions, stop in at 2K Adventure Gear, call, or email at 2kadventureclub@gmail.com.

Another beautiful Tiki-Tuesday

It was another beautiful Tiki-Tuesday at Elizabeth Lake.  Too bad the sun didn't want to share the time with us, and its early evening departure left us headed back in for drinks and food.  The turnout was fantastic.  The 6:30pm start time could be forcing us to cancel this event until next year; however, there was a good discussion about moving the start time ahead to 5:00pm or 5:30pm.  Stay tuned for details.  If the weather is going to cooperate, I'm all for moving the event forward.
Here is a short video of some of the paddlers:

Flambeau River - Labor Day weekend

Up in the North woods of Wisconsin, there is a river named the Flambeau.  Three of 2k Adventure Clubs scouts braved the elements, fought off mosquites, and slept in our kayaks to learn the river for  future club trips. 

Put in: Nine Mile Creek

Take Out: Oxbow Landing

The Flambeau Norh branch offers slow & easy paddling, good fishing, and wildlife sightings.

During our first night of camping on the Oxbow, we brought out all the stoves; White Gas, Alcohol, and Propane. 

Rich slept in his Grand Truck Skeeter Beater hammock while Don and Steve tented it.

Sunday morning coffee on the Flambeau; 39 degrees F.

Day Two

Where the Norh and South branches converge, the river widens but slows down.  Here we saw a few fishmen in john boats.

A short paddle after puting in at Camp 41 landing, you will run class I - II rapid sets.  This section of the river is very popular but we saw few other paddlers until we reached Cedar Rapids. 

The high light of this paddle was Cedar Falls Rapids and the Island that devides the river.  We spent some time taking pictures, eating lunch and watching other paddlers shoot the rapids.

 Cedar Rapids is one of those places you could stay for two days just having fun with the rapids and relaxing in your hammock.  On the West bank, Cedar Rapids Camp is suitable for groups or just you. 

Coffee and a fire on Labor Day morning. 

A sight you wont want to miss is Little Falls Rapids on the South Branch.  It's reated as a class V rapids mostly due to its hazard level.

This trip learned us.  We learned some do's and some dont do's pluss some nice places to enjoy a cold beer.  Expect to see the Flambeau on our calendar for next year - we'll see you there. 

Kickapoo River Day Trip Report

Description:

Kickapoo River Day Trip - 2 people

Date: September 8, 2010
Put-in: Ontario, WI
Take-out: Bridge 7
Time: 4-5 hours

Water Level: Above average.  The water tables showed 90 percentile.  This part of the state has had quite a bit of rain this summer, so the usual lower water level was not present.  There were a few gravel bars that could hang you up if you hit them wrong, but we never had to hop out and drag the kayaks.  No strainers that presented any problems.  A few ripples were encountered and only 1 possible class one rapid that offered a chance to play in.  Other than that, it was a nice lazy drift down the river.  Our shuttle driver told us that he rarely uses a paddle to bridge 4; he just drifts and lets the river steer him. Any ripples or rapids were encountered before Wildcat Mountains, as the river turns into a meandering flow after that.

Outfitter: We used Drifty's in Ontario.  Had a quasi-reservation from Mr. Ducks, but no one was home and the cell service was nonexistent.  There are 3 outfitters within walking distance from each other: Drifty's, Mr. Ducks, and Titanic.  All three have their own launches on the river. The shuttle service cost $20, and there is a  $4 parking fee at the Kickapoo Reserve (past bridge 5).  Being a weekday and towards the end of the season, there was little river traffic, but the outfitter tells me that the river can see up to 300 people on the weekend.  I asked when they close for the season and was told sometime in November; but, from late September to then, no one mans the stand, but they do show up for reservations.

Journal: We had a late start and didn't get on the river until noon-ish.  After a few strokes, we were out of town and letting the scenery of the limestone bluffs and solitude melt any stress away.

The temperature was in the upper 60's , lower 70's and the sun was shining on a dry day. I had on shorts and short-sleeve, Nancy wore long-sleves with wind breakers.  Just out of Ontario, we hit some ripples that were fun and tame.  The river offered many wide turns.   We continued on our way until we found one small rapid to play in (I'm still learning) and they saw our first other canoe.  Over all we encountered 2 canoes and 4-5 kayaks on the entire river. Before Wildcat Mountain State Park's canoe landing, we pulled over to one of the numerous sand beaches and had a little lunch.

Once we hit the park, it was time for a rest stop and a little walk to stretch the legs. Their facilities are good.
It was only a hour later till we reached our take-out down-river right at bridge 7.
All the bridges are marked that have take-outs.

Additional Info and Thoughts: For a short day trip, this was excellent.  We could have done bridge 10 easily if we didn't enjoy our Bed and Breakfast at the Westby Inn so much.  From Westby to Ontario is about 30 minutes through Amish country. By the way, be prepared to wave a lot -- everyone waves a greeting in this area and has since I first visited there in the late 60's.

Nearby at Norwalk or Kendal is the Elroy - Sparta bike trail: a crushed gravel path that takes you through 3 tunnels cut into the hills.  You will need a coat and flashlight for these.

A short video of this river trip can be seen on You Tube.

Nippersink paddle from Pioneer Rd. to Blivin St. in Spring Grove: 9/12/10

To anyone interested:

After the Silver Lake breakfast paddle, a group of us will be meeting at the store (2K Adventure Gear in Richmond) around 10:00am.  From there, we'll head on over to Pioneer Rd. launch site and paddle to Blivin Rd. in Spring Grove. (expect the water to be low & slow)

We have some exciting events planed and are looking forward to seeing everyone enjoy themselves this Fall.