Tag: No Shuttle

Enter and exit river at same point.

Paddle around Astico Park – first time

Inspired by posts in the Facebook group Paddle Wisconsin, we decided to try parts of the Crawfish River we hadn’t realized were canoeable. So, after researching various options on wisconsinrivertrips.com, we set out for Astico Park near Columbus for a no-shuttle paddle and a bit of recon on a warm sunny late June afternoon. An added bonus – we can get there in about 40 minutes from Madison, as opposed to the minimum 1-hour drive required to get to most places we paddle.

After a 40 minute drive via US 151, we arrived at Astico County Park entrance off County TT. We drove through the park before launching and noted that it was quiet and not crowded. This was a Wednesday, and we wondered if the situation would be quite different on a weekend with more people and more beer. We made note of some scenic picnic sites for future reference – perhaps a mid-week picnic dinner and short paddle in the early fall.

Continue reading Paddle around Astico Park – first time

Yahara River Upstream from Fish Camp (first time)

We decided to take advantage of a spectacular fall afternoon and explore a nearby section of the Yahara River that we had not tried before. The entire Yahara River from Lake Waubesa to Lake Kegonsa, including Lower Mud Lake, is no-wake. We didn’t come across any boats that were scoffing at the no-wake rule – very relaxing. Continue reading Yahara River Upstream from Fish Camp (first time)

Familiar place, different direction Fox River at Princeton

Our friend was interested in trying out the new differently-abled accessible boat launch recently installed at the park in Princeton. We were curious about this device as well, and we thought this would also be an opportunity to try paddling upstream from the landing.

We’ve done the segment between Princeton and the White River Locks a number of times, but we’ve never gone the other way. Continue reading Familiar place, different direction Fox River at Princeton

The Opposite of Last Week’s Sugar River Paddle

Last week we paddled the Sugar from Albany to Sweet Minihaha Campground with hundreds of tubers. This week, paddling upstream from Avon Bridge (Station #5) and back, we had the river to ourselves.

On a beautiful early September Saturday, we decided to check out another segment of the Sugar River Canoe Trail. Continue reading The Opposite of Last Week’s Sugar River Paddle

Mirror Lake Sludgy Start 2019

Traditionally our first paddle of the season is Mirror Lake into Del-boo creek with hopes of seeing sandhill cranes nesting. Our usual put-in is the city ramp but the water was very low and there was too much algae to venture in without stepping in it. We went “up the road a piece” to another less-developed ramp but it too was unacceptable. Thus and so Continue reading Mirror Lake Sludgy Start 2019

Devils Lake (First and probably last time)

Most residents in Wisconsin have a fond enthusiasm for Devils Lake State Park. Maybe since we didn’t grow up here in the dairy state we don’t have the same dreamy associations. So to start getting to know this area a bit, we decided to paddle the circumference of the lake. The summer of 2018 was a time of flooding and high water that made many of our lovely rivers inadvisable to be upon.

One thing you will love – no gas motor boats are allowed! Continue reading Devils Lake (First and probably last time)