Report below by Sara; let's just say we had more excitement than we had expected. Everyone helped each other: Brad, Sara, Jocelyn, Jacqui, Harold, Kathleen, John & Lois.
Unfortunately, we don't have any shots of John's inflated PFD, but the new cartridge cost $34. He had jumped out of his kayak because he thought Harold might need help, and the water turned out to be over his head.
When I've led paddles on the Sturgeon from Wolverine to Fischer Woods in Indian River, I've always called it "The Thrillseeker" since it's fast & narrow, with lots of logjams, tight turns and shallow gravel bars. I'm not sure it's ever earned the name as it did today with so many downed trees to bunny hop over (7?), even though the river was high at 200 cfs, down from 600 on 6/26 after our much-needed rain. My cell phone battery died before we finished the paddle since I took so many photos, so don't know how long it took (5+ hrs, never more than 3 in past), but there were several swimmers, including John Heiam & me, and a major rescue of Lois, who was stuck on a log. She lucked out since John was able to paddle his kayak river right of her, where the log was not up as high out of the water, using her canoe as a rail to keep his kayak straight. Afterwards, none of us in canoes wanted to try to get into the tiny eddy on river right in the fast-moving current, so portaged what seemed like the Amazon forest, including a deep, muddy creek that Harold slipped in. We all worked as a team, including Brad, Kathleen, Jacqui, Jocelyn & Harold. We paddled 4 Wenonah solo canoes with Zaveral carbon fiber paddles, Lois' Mohawk canoe, and 3 kayaks. The riffles were great fun riding, there was plenty of water covering the gravel bars, and I love the tunnel of hemlocks. Jacqui & I did the shuttles, Lois & John organized the trip. It was cloudy from the "unhealthy" Canadian wildfire smoke, so probably not the best day to be out in it for so long, but wow, that was one for the books!
NOTE: Big Bear Adventures from Indian River was out sawing trees from a raft, but they only clear the northern section that we paddled, so hopefully, it will be ready for the July 4th paddlers! The section we paddled is not for beginners, definitely should only be attempted by experienced paddlers
For more photos, see Sara's FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/sara.cockrell.energizer/posts/pfbid02ws1nY5v5vh2ppVdRCeG5nLjWLuYVXjuxSNUNzGNTBivoJSMufogKZTXaMMb3B9b8l?comment_id=1223347828292906¬if_id=1688143268789869¬if_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif
Photos by Jocelyn, John, and Jacqui
Jocelyn gets ready to take some photos (Jacqui and Kathleen in foreground)
The group approaches the bridge where Jocelyn was stationed. From left to right: Kathleen, Brad, John, Harold and Jacqui
Harold
Brad
Kathleen
John
Harold removes a large piece of litter from the river
Thick vegetation along the banks
Jacqui runs through some rough water
Our lunch spot at Rondo Access. On bench: Sara, Jacqui, Brad. Standing: Harold. On landing: Kathleen, John, Lois
Sara, Jacqui, and Brad
John and Kathleen checking out the entrance to "The Maze"
John tries to pull Lois off the log
Kathleen and Jacqui (not pictured) ferried over to river right where they could crawl over the log, and John could feed their kayaks over the log. Lois is safe on the other side (her body is obscured by foliage, but you can see her arm.
The others decide to portage on river left. Brad helped Sara and Jocelyn carry their boats. What a guy!
Brad, John and Sara discussing how to remove the problem - a thick plank filled with nails
Almost done - Sara finishes the job
Checking out the new open channel
Lois pleased with the now open channel, and grateful for the push from Sara
Brad enjoys the cleared path
John
Sara enjoys the fruits of her labors
Lois relaxes - for the moment
The take out at Fisher Woods Road; check out the back of Harold's shorts.
