Unfortunately, Norm injured his knee 48 hrs before this event, so I took over as trip leader. I'd waited a week to do this section, since I couldn't do Jack's Escapade, so didn't want it to be cancelled. As we left TC this morning, it was misty, but no one in our group of 4 seemed to be concerned. Lee drove over with me, Angie & John close behind. We did a reverse shuttle from Kellogg Bridge, then Norm & John Mesch met us at Lovells Bridge, and helped us unload. After we put-in, they shuttled my van back to Kellogg for our take-out.
The N Branch of the AuSable can only be paddled early season, before the gravel bars are too shallow. After yesterday's rain, the river was fast, well-covered, with some riffles. We had lunch at the Dam 4 Rd access, where 3 fly fishermen were enjoying the sunshine too. We all agreed that the 2nd half was our favorite section, more remote, with some old growth forest. What makes this river so unique are the braided paths around one hundred small & large islands. You must choose R or L, and hope it will be clear of trees & deep enough to get through.
Being the only paddlers on the river, we spotted mergansers, a blue heron, many deer, one who crossed back & forth across the river in front of Angie, a mink chasing a duckling, before the duckling realized it was about to become the mink's lunch & took flight, and several varieties of wildflowers.
It took us less than 4 hrs at a steady pace, with a short lunch stop. Glad we did it, but we missed Norm & John M!
Trip Report & Photos by Sara Cockrell
Reverse shuttle with Energizer van & trailer
Norm & John Mesch help us unload & shuttle my van back to take-out
a little misty this morning until Sara put on her raingear
Lee, Angie & John with the trash