Jack's only major decision for his first trip as a TAPC leader was the choice of river, the AuSable, his hometown river, or his 84th paddle down the Sturgeon. Since we had just finished paddling the Sturgeon last wk, when he decided to ask for Admin access to lead trips for TAPC, the AuSable was his natural choice, esp since he had a novel route, paddling from where we normally take out for the S Branch of the AuSable, at Smith Bridge & M-72, down to the confluence of the Main AuSable, then continuing on to McMasters Bridge.
It was a perfectly gorgeous sunny 60-70s day for a paddle with friends. We enjoyed the faster current, a few riffles, and some easy challenges, paddling around, under & over some downed trees, and through some chutes. We passed a fisherman along the way & a few Canada geese with their brood of fuzzy goslings. This section of the S Branch of the AuSable is mostly undeveloped, until you get close to the confluence, where you paddle under 4 private bridges crossing the river. Once we reached the Main AuSable, the current slowed as expected, and a light breeze kept us cool until we arrived at the Conners Flat access, for a picnic lunch on the bank. After leaving the access, Sara showed the group a racer shortcut on a left-handed curve, which is an approved route during the AuSable River Canoe Marathon. From there, it was a short paddle to the takeout at McMasters Bridge, the finale of another GR-R-REAT day on the river, with ...
Leader Jack prepping us for our next adventure, on a new section of river
Jack, Diane & Dean, Rosario & John, Sara, Marlene, Tracie, Jocelyn and Marv (not pictured, in kayak)
Trip Report by Sara Cockrell (more photos in 2012 Paddles Photo Page)