New Stick Day
It was “baptized” in the Neuse River (NC)… and the angels sang! 
(the angels were actually geese… but, it sounded pretty just the same)
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That stretch of river reminds me of some stretches of the Broad River here in SC.
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Sort of a Gloria In Excelsior , the Winged Yak, eh?
Angels I have heard on high,
skunky vapors swept back joining my stern train.
And Neuse with no hangups on which I fly,
echoed back with goosed hiccups from multi-winged play.
I like that rock garden of twisty options the river presents you. Guess that made for some educating opportunities in flick-the-stick-to-steer-route’s-pick?
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I hiked the trail through Pictured Rocks a couple of years ago. And have seriously considered going along there in my Kayak… staying in some of the same campgrounds. But frankly… the cold water temps… and rough shoreline have made me rather nervous of trying that. Many sites recommend a dry suit for paddling on that lake… but I get hot so easily. Curious how you gear up for a paddle on Superior?
Sadly, the discharge from Falls Lake these days is rather skimpy. I prefer the days they’re letting out around 3000 cu ft sec. Those are the days I go play at the mouth of the dam; a mighty workout for sure.
Any experience with the Congaree? I’d love to paddle the portion of the river bordering the Congaree National Park.
Yes, I have put in at the end of Rosewood in Columbia and taken out at Highway 601 bridge. It’s a 50 mile paddle down river. I have also put in at Cedar Creek landing and paddled the creek to the Congaree River and taken out at the 601 bridge. We had to do some portaging on Cedar Creek. You might want to check with Palmetto Outfitters about the possibility of a shuttle. We had a group and set up our own shuttle from the Cedar Creek Landing to the 601 bridge. We camped overnight on the river both trips. I should add there isn’t any public access that I know of for the entire 50 miles other than the ones I mentioned. I also believe you can put in just upriver of Rosewood landing at the Gervais St Park at the bridge there.
Here is a link to the Cedar Creek Congaree River trip
Cedar Creek and Congaree River SC trip - Paddlers’ Place - Paddling.com
And a few from the Columbia to 601 bridge. We camped on a sandbar just inside the park that has a hiking trial to it so hikers can camp there too. There are a number of good sandbars to camp on along the river.
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This depends a lot on: when, where, and your skill level
For example, the first time I went around was in June - it was a cold June. I wore a dry suit just about everyday, until about 1/2 way, then was warm the rest of the trip.
Also, I left the area many years ago, the last time I went around was in '93. I’m sure many things have changed since then.
Thanks for the insight! If I ever try… it will likely just be the stretch from Munising to Grand Marais… during warm summer months (late June - early Sept). I worry most about screwing up and ending up in the water for hours. On that stretch it can be a long way between beaches! High traffic that time of year boosts chances of help… and problems. Well… Thanks Again!
The problem with Pictured Rocks is not just water temp, its that waves are chaotic. The the ones that bounce back at you from the cliffs are no smaller than the incoming swells. Personally I would only run that stretch during a good weather window, good meaning wind from the south.
Thanks for more good insight! Do you wear a drysuit or wetsuit on Superior regardless of air temps? I went with Uncle Duckies (Paddling Michigan) one day (a few hours) along there in late September… it was choppy but not too bad. The cruise boat wakes were the biggest challenge that day… along with cool temps and light rain. That day a dry or wet suit would have been nice. But the days I was hiking along there it was hot and calm… and I fear baking in that heat. Yet I jumped in the lake after one of our longer days of hiking… and started getting numb in 10 minutes. That water is cold!
A good quality drysuit (meaning one made with a reliably breathable fabric like GoreTex) is not all that “hot” – it mainly keeps your skin dry to prevent evaporative cooling and retains some body heat. If you are paddling and feeling overly warm due to the exertion of paddling in colder water, you can just drag your wrists in the water for a minute or splash your face.
Paddling around coastal Superior solo is risky. Personally, I would want to be in the company of at least 3 other paddlers with assisted rescue experience and be comfortable with my own skills in that (and self rescue) to boot.
I admit I’m biased as far as caution, having seen how violent the Big Lakes can become during any month of the year during the years I lived in Michigan and having visited the GL shores regularly for most of my life. We also lost 2 family members (both strong swimmers) to drowning in northern Lake Michigan when an unexpected cloudburst storm came up while they were swimming off their home beach.
Great advice! People forget the great lake have strong currents… even rip currents when conditions are right. I have honestly never tried a good dry suit… as most of my paddling is on rivers in the Michigan’s LP where I live… and typically when water are air temps are warmer. Maybe I will try some more runs around Turnip rock and over on the west coast to gain more experience in the waves… while I ask more questions. I appreciate any advice I can get on the bigger water.
PS. In June my brother, a cousin and I are going to try a test stretch on the Missouri River (Yankton to Sioux City) . My brother has caught a Lewis and Clark infection… and is passing it on!
Thanks for the great info! Noted and filed away in the “Get the Heck Out of Town” folder.
Hope you don’t need the tarp or repair kit in a hurry. Probably why canoes were invented.
Just maybe she was replying to mjack’s ? about kayak camping…
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Of course
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Pack the heaviest stuff up front to balance the boat fore and aft.
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