It was a lovely, leisurely late afternoon paddle mostly through a national wildlife refuge. Put in/take out: Endeavor, public landing off Island Dr. Continue reading Fox River at Endeavor
Tag: No Shuttle
Enter and exit river at same point.
Rock River – Ixonia
With water levels being quite high after all the rainfall this summer, we weren’t sure we could do our usual up-and-back trip on this segment of the Rock River. We hadn’t paddled here for several years, but we consulted past notes and decided to take a chance. We put in at Wayside Park off Highway 16 at 2:30 on a sunny afternoon with temp in the low 80’s. It is a great oxbow park with restrooms and plenty of parking and a nice concrete ramp at the put-in. The last time we tried to launch here a couple of years ago, the water was too low and there were too many large exposed rocks which blocked our access to the water.
Continue reading Rock River – Ixonia
Wingra Creek on the Fourth of July
Wingra Creek is a pleasant urban paddle in Madison. We usually try it once a year. If the water is too high, it can be difficult to get through the first railroad bridge; the water is too strong and fast and there is always deadfall to contend with. Sometimes the water is too low and the boat hits the creek bottom which causes an abandoned trip. The waterway can also suffer from invasive plants and algae making the experience extremely unpleasant. This year we were hoping that it would be “just right.” To be sure of our hunch, we Continue reading Wingra Creek on the Fourth of July
Starkweather farther than ever
This paddle started out as usual on Starkweather Creek. We took some friends there who had not had the pleasure yet. The day was great for it, perfect water level and no scum issue. Continue reading Starkweather farther than ever
Aztalan was not the plan
Instead of working on our weekend “to do” list, we decided to find a river. It was late in the day so headed for one of the closest favorite spots, the Bark River at Burnt Village in Fort Atkinson. To our dismay, it was totally green with algae and was no place for any kind of enjoyment. We headed for the Crawfish.
Something new since our last visit long ago Continue reading Aztalan was not the plan
Crawfish River from Aztalan after Bark River Abort
After finding the Bark River covered with duckweed, we decided we would try putting in on the Rock River in Jefferson and paddle the short distance upstream into the Crawfish River. However, there was a sign at the old landing on the Rock River in Jefferson that read “For Emergency Personnel Only.” Apparently the public now has to use a different landing 1/2 mile further downstream where big boats more likely to be present, and also we felt it would be too far to paddle upstream to get to the Crawfish. Therefore, we got back in the car and proceeded to Aztalan State Park. Temperature 80° light wind.
Flow Crawfish River at Milford gauge 05426000: 189 cfs. (median ~110 cfs) We later found we had made notes in the margin of Paddling Southern Wisconsin that we “should not do the Crawfish if the flow at Milford is <310 cfs," notes we had made after an Aztalan to Jefferson paddle several years ago. However, we didn't have the book with us, or we might have just called it a day. The trip: In at 4:45 PM, upstream one hour to I 94, out 6:30 PM. Shallow, near-grounding once, glanced off rocks near landing. Wildlife: kingfishers, herons, turtles, plover, swallows, cranes in flight, jumping fish.
Thursday after work paddle on the Yahara River
Some photos for this day. Continue reading Thursday after work paddle on the Yahara River
2015 Fall Yahara Paddlle
We paddled from Tenny Park to Lake Monona on a weekday just because we could. The leaves fell shortly after that so it was a really good idea! Continue reading 2015 Fall Yahara Paddlle
Pecatonica Evening paddle
Trask Bridge Quick trip
Pretty, late fall paddle
Started at Trask Bridge and went right upstream. In 5:15. Turn around after 1.5 miles. Out: 6:40. Temperature 70 and sunny.
cfs Freeport 675 slightly higher for median on this date. Do not try upstream above this flow. Current is as strong as we can handle.
No boats. No deadfall. Occasional branches or sticking up. River is wide, no problem going around.
Wildlife: herons, turtle, swallows, woodpecker, geese, duck, kingfisher.
Electronic gates were closed when we drove out but we were able to get them open. whew.
Checked out put-in at Pecatonica River Forest Preserve. Looks good.
This trip was after sculpture maintenance and before Skype call with Singapore.