TRIP SCHEDULE 2017

You are welcome to come for one day of multiple day trips

***Indicates WHITE WATER TRIPS

• April 1 ZUMBRO RIVER (Millville to Theilman)

  Beginner

  This is the first of four sections of the Zumbro that will be paddled during our schedule. The Zumbro is a scenic river with an active current and easy Class I rapids. The river bottom is mostly sand and gravel.

  FMI and trip packet, contact the trip leader: JOHN & KANDY OLSON

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• April 8 *** SNAKE RIVER

  Intermediate

  This is an enjoyable 12-mile trip from Pine City to the mouth of the Snake on the St. Croix. You can expect easy current with some rock-dodging opportunities for maneuvering experience. In high water this is one fast rollicking ride with thrills at every bend. Either way, plan to gain some whitewater experience and see beautiful scenery.

  FMI and trip packet, contact the trip leader: LAURA HUBERTY

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• April 15 *** RICE CREEK

  *** This trip canceled due to too many trees blocking the creek ***

  Intermediate (whitewater)

  It's nearby; meandering through New Brighton and Fridley on an unusually winding course through narrow wooded canyons and luxurious suburban backyards. Rice Creek offers a swift current, narrow width, and many 90 and 180 degree turns. The 6.5 mile trip will go through several culverts that often have standing waves or ripples. Experience the feel of Class I whitewater. It's fun! The lunch spot is a grassy peninsula half way through the trip; just when the paddlers are in need of a rest.

  FMI and trip packet, contact the trip leader: WES GERBER

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• April 22 - STRAIGHT RIVER

  Intermediate

  Away from the cities and small rural communities situated on its banks, the Straight is a narrow, intimate stream. Flowing through the farmland of southeastern MN, the Straight meanders north from Owatonna to Faribault where it joins the Cannon River. Don’t be fooled by the name, this paddle is anything but straight! It varies from 30 to 80 feet wide, and from 1-4 feet in depth. There are numerous areas of mild rapids and fast water, with rocks and narrow stream channels making paddling a challenge. Fields, pastures and farm buildings are screened from the river by a narrow strip of trees that reach out over each bank forming a leafy canopy. Note that in early Spring when the water is up, there might be downed trees that block parts of the river.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: DOUG RITZINGER

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• April 29 - KINNICKINNIC (River Cleanup Trip)

  Intermediate

  Paddle the river that gives its name to River Falls, WI. This is a small twisting and turning river in a deep wooded gorge. It offers superb scenery with difficulty comparable to Rice and Minnehaha creeks. This is a favorite paddle for many of the River Rambler members. It is less than an hour from the Twin Cities and probably the most scenic paddle within that distance.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: JERRY NORRIS

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• May 6-7 - UPPER NAMEKAGON RIVER WEEKEND (Cable)

  Intermediate

  The 33 miles of the river upstream from Hayward is interrupted at 16.5 and 26.5 miles by dams and flowages. When water levels are sufficient, most of the stretch has excellent current and tight turns, wild shorelines, and many riffles, Class I rapids and trout. We will need to be flexible based on water levels.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: LLOYD BRANDON

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• May 13 - RUM RIVER (ST. FRANCIS)

  Beginner

  Come enjoy good company on a beautiful river where the Dakota and Ojibwa once lived and hunted. This small, intimate river is quite isolated for being so close to the Twin Cities. Trees of many species that are remnants of the vast forest that covered the region provide ever-changing wooded scenes. A one-foot per minute gradient creates a slow current that is easy to paddle, while occasional maneuvering is required around a few rocks and boulders. So pack a lunch and plan to spend a relaxing day on a quiet river.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: JIM DOSTAL

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• May 20 - PINE RIVER

  Beginner

  The Pine departs from Pine Lake near the beautiful Whitefish Chain of Lakes and travels to the Mississippi River. It is an exceptionally clear water river that travels through both wooded and meadow areas. Early planning may be helpful to secure camping or hotel reservations for yourself in the area. The river is located just north of Crosby. Although not included in this trip, one might combine this day trip with a trip on the Mississippi River or the deep mining lakes in the Crosby area (also known for mountain biking).

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: JEAN BRANDES

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• May 28-29 - ZUMBRO RIVER WEEKEND (Sun-Mon Trip)

  Beginner

  The Zumbro is a scenic river with an active current and easy Class I rapids. A different section of the river will be paddled each day. Bring your camera to capture the beauty of the occasional bluff, and other natural scenery. This is a great trip, just 70 miles south of the cities. Come for the weekend or just one day.

  FMI and trip packet, contact the trip leader: JOHN & KANDY OLSON

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• June 3 - BLUE EARTH RIVER

  Intermediate

  This 11.9 mile paddle, marked by mild rapids and rock gardens, is a fairly wide stretch of river that passes by steep embankments and remote woods. Several small tributaries and picturesque waterfalls and gulches can be seen along the banks during wet periods of the year. The trip starts just below the 87 foot high Rapidan Dam and continues by the mouth of the Le Sueur River to Sibley Park in downtown Mankato, at the confluence with the Minnesota River. We'll stop to enjoy lunch by a huge boulder in the middle of the river around halfway through the trip.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: MARY JO CARLSON

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• June 10 - CROW RIVER

  Beginner

  Put in for this 15 mile trip is at Riverside County Park in Hanover and take out is on the Mississippi River at Otsego.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: Jim Dostal

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• June 10-11 - BRULE RIVER WEEKEND

  Intermediate

  This trip is for the Bois Brule River in Douglas County Wisconsin. The city of Brule Wisconsin will be our home base city. This is not to be confused with the Brule River that borders Michigan. I will refer to the Bois Brule River as the Brule River. The Brule is a famous trout stream in the Midwest. Presidents Grant, Coolidge, Hoover, and Eisenhower have visited it. It is one of the most popular rivers for canoeing and kayaking in Wisconsin.

  This trip will be both Saturday and Sunday offering two different trips. It is highly recommended you arrive Friday night and stay at a local accommodation. Most attendees will camp at the Wisconsin DNR Bois Brule Campground. This campground is usually booked full 1 month in advance, so it is recommended you make reservations much earlier than that, maybe 2 or 3 months in advance. There are other accommodations in the area.

  This is considered a whitewater trip. The Saturday Trip will warm up our maneuvering skills, is about 10.5 miles long, and is suitable for open canoes and kayaks 10 to 14 feet long. This trip goes through some lakes, several riffles, class I rapids, and one class II rapid that is a straight ramp type drop and can be done in an open canoe. On Sunday is the Ledges Trip and is 8 miles long. This trip takes the group over the Lenroot and May Ledges, which are class II rapids. Canoes with float bags and kayaks 6 to 10 feet long with spray skirts are a necessity. Helmets are required for all participants for this trip only.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: JEROME ADAMS

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• June 17 - UPPER MINNEHAHA CREEK

  Intermediate

  If you liked Rice Creek, you'll also enjoy Minnehaha Creek. Minnehaha Creek offers all of the same amenities with less intensity: sharp turns, narrow width, low bridges and spots of fast moving water. You'll experience a wonderful paddle right in the heart of the city. The water ranges from slow and meandering to small Class I rapids. There is a short portage just upstream of 50th Street. See the western suburbs from a different point of view.

  FMI and trip packet, contact the trip leader: WES GERBER

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• June 18 - LOWER MINNEHAHA CREEK

  Intermediate

  Paddle through the city of Minneapolis with the same sharp turns, narrow width, low bridges and spots of fast moving water. The water ranges from slow and meandering to small Class I rapids.

  FMI and trip packet, contact the trip leader: WES GERBER

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• June 24-25 - UPPER ST. CROIX RIVER WEEKEND

  Beginner

  The Upper St. Croix offers something for everyone: Beautiful scenery, swim spots, novice rapids, slow currents, and free camping. Saturday, the lazy paddling from Riverside to just above St. Croix State Park takes about 4 hours. Here the river offers a current strong enough for an easy paddle most of the way. The clear water and sandy bottom allow swimming almost at will. Sunday, the trip on the Lower Namekagon from the McDowell Bridge Landing back to Riverside features small rapids and easy paddling through heavily wooded wilderness. This section takes about 5 hours including lunch.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: SEPTEMBER STEINOLFSON

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• July 1 - ST. CROIX RIVER

  Beginner

  Paddle the scenic St Croix River from Nevers Dam Landing to Lions Park Landing. This stretch of the river is flat water with lots of sandy river banks to stop at to swim and cool off. This section is not as popular as the sections below Taylors falls, so holiday weekend crowds should not be a problem. Depending on the water levels this may be a very leisurely and lazy paddle.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: MAGGIE THOMPSON

• July 8 - MISSISSIPPI RIVER (Monticello)

  Beginner

  Come enjoy at trip on the Mississippi just north of the metro. We will be starting in St. Cloud or Montissippi Regional Park just north of Monticello depending on water levels just prior to trip date. This stretch of river is wide and swift with some easy riffles and rocks to look out for. We will be paddling through the Mississippi River Islands Scientific and Natural area. Come explore the river and have fun.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: JIM DOSTAL

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• July 15-16 - LOWER NAMEKAGON RIVER WEEKEND

  Beginner

  The Lower Namekagon offers a slow pace to give you time to enjoy the scenery, bask in the warmth, observe the animals, and celebrate the hazy days of summer. Saturday, we will be canoeing the shallow, sandy-bottomed section downstream from the campsite. Lunch will be at a halfway point where there are picnic tables or you may sit on the bridge and watch others float by. After lunch, we will be going past the highest sand dune in northern Wisconsin. We will also have many swim stops where the water deepens. Saturday evening we will have time at the campsite for renewing old friendships and reminiscing round the fire. On Sunday, we will put in upstream and paddle back to the campsite take-out. The river on this upper section again is: relatively narrow, clear, shallow, and sandy; and it also has an abundance of: fish, turtles, ducks, osprey, and deer.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: JOE REISCHEL

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• July 22 - RUM RIVER (Cambridge)

  Beginner

  We will paddle through undeveloped forests in a less traveled section of the Rum. Lunch stop is a county park. The paddle to car shuttle ratio is great--13.5 miles of paddling and only 5 miles of car shuttle!

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: MARK DE BOER

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• July 29 - CHIPPEWA RIVER

  Beginner

  Come paddle in the beautiful Northern Highlands Region of Wisconsin. This part of the Chippewa is described in the Rusk County brochure as "one of the clearest and most prestigious rivers in the State." The scenery is woods, grassy banks, clear water, sandbars and islands with a few scattered but unobtrusive houses. The river has a good current, but is suitable for beginning paddlers and swimming. The estimated drive time from the metro area is about two hours. The mileage from the Wisconsin state line at Taylor's Falls is about 67 miles (about 95 miles from the 35E/35W junction) to the meeting place near Bruce.

  FMI and a trip packet contact the trip leader: SEPTEMBER STEINOLFSON

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• August 5 - EAU CLAIRE RIVER

  Beginner

  A tributary of the Chippewa River, the Eau Claire River flows through county forest just east of the city of Eau Claire WI, not to be confused with the white water river with the same name near Wausau. This is a slower paced 13 mile trip to enjoy the scenic beauty of pine trees, bluffs, and sandy beaches. Swim, relax, and enjoy a summer day on the river.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: STEVE KUHN

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• August 12-13 - MIDDLE NAMEKAGON WEEKEND (Hayward)

  Beginner

  The Upper Namekagon between Hayward and Earl, Wisconsin has a swift current with a series of moderate (Class I-II) rapids - just enough to keep it enjoyable. Bring your camera, and telephoto lens to capture the beauty of one of America's most scenic wild rivers. Wildlife abounds on this trip. Saturday night we lounge around the rustic campground at Earl that is encircled by the river. The current is slow here giving children of all ages the opportunity to step into the river on the front side of the camp and float (body surf) a good quarter mile and step out right at the back, at the side of the campground. What away to relax before snuggling into your sleeping bag. We will be paddling about 4 hours each day.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: DOUG RITZINGER

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• August 19 - UPPER ROOT RIVER (Parsley Landing)

  Beginner

  This is a gentle flowing, spring fed, peaceful river with a sandy bottom. There are a few rocks and riffles. The banks are mostly tree-lined with limestone walls and some awesome towering bluffs. Join us for a quiet paddle further from the commotion of riverside campgrounds and outfitter tours. The Root River supports over 40 species of birds including blue herons, egrets, wood ducks, red-tailed hawks, osprey, turkey vultures and bald eagles. Wooded shores harbor mammals such as deer, gray fox, red fox, coyotes, raccoons, woodchucks, squirrels, weasels, river otters and badgers. The timber rattlesnake can be found along the banks, trails and outcrops anywhere in southeastern Minnesota.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: PATRICIA SMITH

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• August 26 - MINNESOTA RIVER (Jordan and Chaska)

  Beginner

  Come paddle the river that was named after this great state. Wide and scenic with plenty of wildlife, this river flows through the south metro and should have much less water than when run in the spring. It is only a short drive from the Twin Cities metro area. We will be paddling from Thompson Ferry Unit to Highway 41 in Chaska, a section with little visible development along the river. Paddle both the spring and fall trips and see how the river changes through the season.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: KEN JOHNSON

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• September 9 - APPLE RIVER (Star Prairie)

  Beginner

  The Apple River is a 77 mile long tributary of the St Croix River with many dams, flowages, and tubers in the summer. There are sections that are fun and beautiful to paddle. While this 14 mile trip with clear water does have a laid back lazy country river feel it does include a few sections of class I rapids along with a nice park to stop for lunch.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: STEVE KUHN

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• September 16 - LOWER CANNON RIVER

  Beginner

  The Cannon is a fun river and only a short drive from the Twin Cities. We will paddle an 11-mile trip from Miesville Ravine Park Reserve to Highway 61. We hope to avoid most of the inner tubers at this time of year so we may have this great section of the Cannon to ourselves.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: MARK DEBOER

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• September 22-23 - KICKAPOO RIVER (Fri-Sat trip)

  Beginner

  Come join for two days of paddling in the heart of the unglaciated Driftless Area of Wisconsin. This river is 60 miles long, winding and narrow through towering bluffs. It offers clear water, many riffles, rock face walls with beauty around every bend. Our trip will start in Ontario, WI. We will paddle a different route each of the two days. Camping is available at Wildcat Mountain State Park, 1.5 miles east of Ontario.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: LAURA HUBERTY

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• September 30 - ZUMBRO RIVER (Theilman to Kruger Park)

  Beginner

  Moving on downstream for our fall Zumbro trip, hopefully the trees will be in their full fall splendor. Bring your camera to capture the beauty of the oranges, reds, yellows and the occasional bluff.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leaders: JOHN & KANDY OLSON

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• October 7 - LOWER ST. CROIX RIVER (Somerset Landing)

  Beginner

  This section of the St. Croix offers views of a heavily wooded steep-sided valley with occasional sandstone and limestone bluffs. Winding side channels and shaded backwaters offers a chance for some exploration. Springs and small streams entering the river create miniature deltas and valleys. Animals that we might see on our trip are white-tailed deer, beaver, raccoon, otter, mink, muskrat, fox and the occasional waterfowl.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: SEPTEMBER STEINOLFSON

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• October 14 - KINNICKINNIC RIVER

  Intermediate

  Paddle the river that gives its name to River Falls, WI. This is a small twisting and turning river in a deep wooded gorge. It offers superb scenery with difficulty comparable to Rice and Minnehaha creeks. This is a favorite paddle for many of the River Rambler members. It is less than an hour from the Twin Cities and probably the most scenic paddle within that distance.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip leader: MARK DEBOER

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