Ness Road to Big Falls: A return trip to one of our favorite paddles, this time with a twist – adding a previously unknown segment to the popular route – the upper Little Wolf River simply is a must for…
Browsing Tag
Paddle Report
Watertown to Johnson Creek: A long pleasant daytrip down the tranquil Rock River that starts off in an attractive urban setting, courses through long straightaways past residential backyards, then meanders through a mostly undeveloped wild area that rewards the…
Kawishiwi Lake to Lake One: A quintessential canoe country trip that any paddler or outdoors lover should experience at some time in her life, the Boundary Waters is a special place that offers many rewards – an unspoiled landscape,…
East 18th Road to Highway 71: A trip as breathtaking for its continuous rapids as for its stunning scenery, Covel Creek is simply, paddling bliss. Even if it’s out of the way (from Madison) and offers less than ideal access at…
Red Covered Bridge Park to County Road 1150: After years of waiting for the right levels, we finally got a taste of Big Bureau Creek. Wider than expected, this run was riffly, swift and altogether interesting. It was a…
Dover Avenue to Germania: Quite possibly the single most boring stretch of the otherwise lively and lovely Mecan River, the only honorary aspects to this trip are the novelty of paddling the Germania Marsh (if you’re into that) and…
Mecan River Springs to 11th Road: Two exploratory trips combined into one (for the sake of simplicity) that certainly tested one’s patience and fortitude, but also offered extraordinary beauty and a cool sense of pioneer paddling. Not for casual…
County Road CF to County Road G: Two outstanding streams in one trip, beginning with an exhilarating series of Class I-II rapids in a narrow mini-gorge that is true creek paddling at its finest, and then finishing in the…
Harstad County Park to County Road K: A truly enchanting daytrip that begins and ends with rapids and features mile after mile of sandy banks (including two that are magnificently tall), a gazillion sandbars, tiny islands, pine trees and zero…
Lake Altoona Dam to Hobbs Landing: A surprisingly scenic stretch with great wildlife and geology surrounded by an urban environment, catch the Eau Claire at a high water level and awesome 2’-tall standing waves form for what may well…
Mifflin to Jones Branch Road: A surprisingly swift section of the otherwise sluggish Pecatonica River surrounded by steep hills, modest bluffs, several striking rock outcrops and very little development, this trip suffers from shallow water levels, poor accesses and…
Touring the Lake Waubesa Wetlands in Dane County: A pretty network of backwater sloughs and spring-fed streams to explore, the Lake Waubesa Wetlands are an interesting local diversion, conveniently located just fifteen minutes from downtown Madison. Rating: ☆ ☆…
County Road U to Chaffie Hollow Road A revisit to the Grant River, this trip was a perfect example of how perspective shifts as time goes by, for what had initially felt somewhat anticlimactic years ago today felt like…
County Road I to County Road G: Probably the prettiest stretch of the Crawfish River, this is a relaxing ride on a slow stream where you shouldn’t ever have to worry about water levels or portaging obstructions, instead take…
Bell School Road to County Road DD: Honey Creek is a delightful stream with attractively clear water, a sandy bottom (occasionally gravelly), many riffles, a couple light rapids and a view or two of pleasant hills. Alas, you’ll also…
County Road EE to Oxford: This was a personal curiosity that is more quixotic than practical, this upper stretch of Neenah Creek is uniquely beautiful but way too problematic for paddlers. Rating: ☆ ☆ Trip Report Date: April 19, 2015…
Windsor Road to Yahara Heights County Park: A disappointing section of the Yahara River which is fraught with deadfall and other obstructions. This trip will frustrate all but gluttons for punishment and paddling masochists. Rating: ☆ ☆ Trip Report…
Marshall to Firemen’s Park: A return trip to mark an anniversary of sorts, this second time around was even prettier and less difficult than the first. Great wildlife, a surprisingly scenic landscape, fantastically fun moving water and a thrilling…
County Road A to Platte Road: A glorious trip with nonstop riffles and rapids, spectacular cliffs, bluffs, rock outcrops, lush pastures and no obstructions, this hitherto unknown section of the Platte is worth the minor inconvenience of the put-in…
Lake Mills to Millford: An obscure little stream that you’ve probably passed countless times on I-94 without knowing it, this trip has a couple of genuinely redeeming features, (up to and including the strangest but most thrilling Class II…
Sheridan Springs Road to Lyons: A delightful jaunt on a very pretty river with two distinct temperaments – placid and slow, frisky and fun – surrounded by a predominantly unspoiled landscape. The only deterrents are this trip often is…
County Road J to Lake Michigan: A true gem of a stream, the highlight of which is its endless riffles and playful current. Add to that a pretty environment with lovely moraine hills, numerous public parks and one of…
Mukwonago to Big Bend: To be honest, this is a fairly boring trip. It has a pleasant beginning but it gets dull and monotonous soon after… and then all the way to the take-out. Rating: ☆ ☆ Trip Report Date: November…
County Road YY to Czech Lane: An obscure section of a relatively obscure river, there’s a lot to like but also a lot to loathe about this trip – wooded hills, cool trees, clear water, good current but very…
Germania to Lock Road: One of the better getaway destinations for paddling in southern Wisconsin with a northwoods-like feel, the Mecan features crystal clear water, peppy current, and minimal development – all enclosed within an engaging environment. Not recommended…
Amherst to Durrant Road: A trip from hell (for me personally) but a real treasure for most paddlers featuring sparkling clear water, countless swift riffles, plus a couple of rapids, stupendously big boulder gardens, steep hillside banks and decent…
River Bay Road to Norway Drive: Divided perfectly to highlight the best of the upper and lower dells, these 11.5 miles are full of breathtaking formations, bluffs, overhangs, nooks, crannies, inlets and outlets to discover. You haven’t experienced the…
Kanow Park to County Road P: Often wide, always slow, muddy and usually surrounded by agriculture, the big old Rock River is hardly a glamorous destination. But it does provide for some pretty, undeveloped moments, abound in wildlife and…
Middle Road to Riviera Avenue: Wedges is yet another Black River Falls creek that you’ll want to add to your bucket list. This brief 4.25-mile run makes for a great half-day adventure or add another few miles of Black…
Cemetery Road to Morrison Landing: On clear water in a near-wilderness environment with zero development, an endless array of light rapids as well as one challenging Class II+ pitch, approximately one gazillion boulders, stunning rock walls with weeping seeps and…