Galena River Illinois

Advice
#1

Looking for any trip advice, tips, or suggested paddle routes

#2

check YouTube and google
Mark and Merri Morral have some videos. You can also buy their dvd on rivers in N IL and S WI. Also, Prairie State Canoeists and Tom Linblade have videos.

#3

http://www.feverriveroutfitters.com/
http://www.feverriveroutfitters.com/



A nice couple chapters on Galena River in Svob’s book (mandatory reading for any IL paddler): Paddling Illinois (available on Pnet in store)

#4

Galena to Mississippi River
I’ve done the Galena River from the town of Galena out to the Mississippi River upstream to a launch area. Used Fever River OUtfitters for shuttle. Very nice paddle. Good birdwatching. Parking at the takeout can be a challenge – but that was on a 4th of July weekend. I don’t know if it’s always a problem. Galena itself is a nice town to explore, before or after your paddle. Neat shops. Check out Ulysses S. Grant’s home if you are into historical stuff.

#5

Choices


This river is covered in great detail in our River Trails of Southern Wisconsin, and Northern Illinois DVD paddling guides. You can get either or both right here at P-net. http://www.paddling.net/store/showDvds.html

I would suggest that you first try to paddle the Fever in Wisconsin, there you’ll find the best scenery along with many fun riffles. Unfortunately you’ll need at least 3.8” on this gauge to paddle it here. http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/ahps2/hydrographs/bunw3_hg.png

My second choice would be to start just south of the Stateline and paddle to the town of Galena. This trip has a mixture of scenery, rock outcroppings and riffles eventually turn into tall cut dirt banks with rolling hills and deep valleys. This section is less dependant on water but can still get pretty low during dry summer months.

Third would be from the town of Galena to a landing located just upstream on the Mississippi. This trip isn’t very exciting or pretty, but if it’s too dry for paddling above Galena, this is your only alternative.



Have fun,

Morrall River Films

#6

this is the one Svob likes, too.
start just south of the Stateline and paddle to the town of Galena. This trip has a mixture of scenery, rock outcroppings and riffles eventually turn into tall cut dirt banks with rolling hills and deep valleys.

#7

this is the one Svob likes, too.
start just south of the Stateline and paddle to the town of Galena. This trip has a mixture of scenery, rock outcroppings and riffles eventually turn into tall cut dirt banks with rolling hills and deep valleys.

#8

another choice of rivers
On this section of the Galena/Fever there’s an old mill right beside the river. Only the thick limestone walls are still standing but it’s over three stories tall! Paddling through town seeing the old homes and buildings from the water is pretty cool too.

If everything goes well I’ll be paddling the upper section tomorrow.



Another very nice river trip up in that area of the state is the Pecatonica’s East Branch from Blanchardville to Argyle. There are rock outcroppings, thick woodlands, cows in pastures, and best of all; this river always has enough water in it.





Mark

#9

Galena to Illinois border
We did the trip on the Wisconsin side to the Illinois border last year. It was a nice little paddle. Here’s our review of it: http://milespaddled.blogspot.com/2009/05/galenafever-river.html