Skip to main content












Traverse Area Paddle Club

Remember: all TAPC outings are listed on our event calendar and are color coded using this scheme:

 

Small Inland Lakes   

Great Lakes   

Easy Rivers 

Intermediate Rivers  

Difficult Rivers 
Clean-up Trips 

Out-of-town Trips 

If you need help using the website you may call the Club Express

Help Desk at

(866) 457-2582

Monday - Friday,

8:30 AM - 7 PM Eastern Time

Trip Reports

May 7 Manistee, Woodpecker Creek to Red Bridge

Published on 5/7/2011
This was my last trip as leader for TAPC, another Manistee hike AM, paddle PM, and it was a lovely day, from morning through evening. Nancy Briggs, Henry Eckhardt & John Lombardi met me at Chums Corner for our drive to Woodpecker Creek. There, we met Paula & Bryce Dreeszen and Bob Fitch, where we left their cars & my paddling gear, before I drove the group of 6 to Red Bridge.

We started our hike in warm sunshine, wandering between creeks, up & down hills, stopping for a snack on the ridge at campsite #7, overlooking the Manistee River valley, visiting with many hikers along the way. During the morning hrs, the birds were more active, and Bryce & Paula identified many, who were just returning to our area, though the dozens of Canada Geese who had been nesting along the grassy river bank 4 wks ago had moved on to another area. 

Terry Johnson, and his golden retriever, "River", joined us halfway into our hike, to get a little exercise before our paddle. Next, we met up with Dean & Diane Tobias, who had wanted to hike & paddle with us, but were dog sitting 2 beautiful collies, so were doing an out & back hike only. When the afternoon warmed up into the high 60s, the marsh marigolds, yellow trout lilies & trilliums made their appearance along the trail, as we crossed over the suspension bridge, back to Woodpecker Creek.

JOHN L, TERRY, HENRY, DIANE, DEAN, "RIVER", BOB F, PAULA, NANCY, BRYCE

After a 4-hr hike, Bob & Nancy headed home, and the rest of us transitioned into our paddle gear. The Manistee was flowing fast, and what a gorgeous way to spend a summery afternoon, among riffles & red clay ridges, greeting hikers on the trail above, and admiring Paula's skills paddling stern in their tandem canoe! After a relaxing afternoon on the water, we loaded up 3 canoes & 2 kayaks onto my rack & trailer, 4 guys, 2 gals & a dog into my van, for the drive back to Woodpecker Creek. Since Mesick was abuzz with the Mushroom Festival, we stopped there on the way to dinner in Buckley, for a perfect ending to another glorious day with friends!

PAULA & BRYCE PADDLING PAST "SWALLOW HOLLOW" IN THEIR TANDEM CANOE (her in stern)

JOHN L, HENRY, "RIVER" & TERRY enjoying a snack on the river
no rush to finish our paddle on such a gorgeous, summery afternoon

FULL TRAILER, RACK & VAN, 3 canoes, 2 kayaks, 2 gals, 4 guys & a dog!
Return to Previous Page