Events - Event View

You can take part in only one sport, or both.
If hiking only, we will leave your car at Woodpecker Creek.
If paddling only, I will shuttle you back to Woodpecker Creek, and possibly your boat & gear, too. If not enough room on my rack & trailer, you will have to drive back to pick it up at Red Bridge, so bring a lock.

DRIVING
Head south from TC on M-37 until you reach Mesick. Turn right on M-115, continuing through the M-37 turnoff to the south. After you cross over the Manistee River on M-115, make the first left onto Hodenpyl Dam Road. Drive 4-5 miles until you reach a metal guardrail on your left & an uphill grade. Turn left onto the dirt road (Blueberry Ln) at the small Consumers Power sign. Take the first right at the sign, Upper River Rd & drive 2 blocks to Woodpecker Creek. Park across from the large Consumers Power sign, on the right. If you drove to the dam, you went a few blocks too far. There are pit toilets at both Hodenpyl Dam & Red Bridge. Coordinates:  44.36369,-85.820293

HIKE
9:00 AM Lock up boats at Woodpecker Creek, store gear & paddles in a hiker's car, then drive to Red Bridge. Bring hiking poles, lunch, appropriate clothes for the weather, rain gear, well-worn hiking boots & water.

9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Hike 11 miles on the Manistee River Hiking Trail from Red Bridge back to the suspension bridge over the Manistee River near Woodpecker Creek. This is my favorite hike, overlooking the river on sandy bluffs, with stops for photos & a short lunch.  

PADDLE
If we are not there by 2PM, you will have to wait, but what a GR-R-REAT place to enjoy the river!
2PM - 5PM Paddle 10 miles from below Hodenpyl Dam to Red Bridge on the fastest section of the Manistee River. It has lots of riffles, wide with no obstructions, below the sandy ridges, around many horseshoe bends. A PFD is required, but you should also have a dry bag with extra warm clothes & appropriate clothes for the weather.

 
Afterwards, we may go to dinner, if the group chooses, probably in Interlochen.