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Traverse Area Paddle Club

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Trip Reports

April 24, Manistee US 131 to Baxter Bridge

Published on 4/24/2011
Bob Fitch planned a perfect Easter Sunday afternoon paddle on the Big Manistee, from the US 131 access/boat launch to Baxter Bridge. Ian & Sara were a few minutes late from their morning hike on the NCT since they had to climb over 20+ downed trees, but had called to advise the group of their delay, so offered to do the shuttle for the group, before & after. The river was about a foot over its normal level, which may have been the reason Sara couldn't seem to stand up on the grassy bank at the put-in, sliding down the mud onto her bottom twice. It didn't seem to bother her at all, and everyone enjoyed a good laugh with her! Of course, with khaki hiking pants, it wasn't noticeable to anyone but Sara.

Once we'd all shoved off, we cruised downstream with less effort than normal, paddling & socializing in the warm sunshine, the perfectly complementary group, 3 women & 3 men, 3 kayaks (Ian, Diane & Deena) & 3 beige, solo canoes (Bob's Sandpiper, Dean's new/used Sawyer & Sara's new/used flashfire). Since this section weaves around many oxbow bends, with the NCT closely following the river on the north ridge, we spotted a couple hiking mid-afternoon with their dog, enjoying the snow-free trail & sunshine, too. As we approached Baxter Bridge, a huge eagle was spotted above in a tree & admired, perched up high. Since Ian had his GPS on the hike, he was able to revise our paddle distance, 13 miles versus 10, but no one was in a hurry to end our perfectly lovely paddle with friends! 

What a way to ring in spring, paddling 3 days in a row, the Pine on Good Friday, the Little Manistee limbos on Sat, and Sun on the Manistee with TAPC friends! Sara


Diane, Dean, Bob, Deena & Ian
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