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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 

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(866) 457-2582

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8:30 AM - 7 PM Eastern Time

Trip Reports

Sturgeon Thrillseeker & Portage

Published on 6/29/2018

The Sturgeon River is the most challenging in NW Lower MI, narrow with fast current (200 cfs today), tight bends with many obstacles, lncluding logjams, rocks, riffles, overhanging trees & shallow gravel bars. 5 experienced paddlers joined me for my favorite 3-hr adventure from Wolverine to Fisher Woods, 3 others in canoes, Jocelyn Trepte, Jack Kurtz & Kent Hawley, and 2 in kayaks, Angie & John Willis. We took a 1/2 hr lunch break at the Rondo access, then headed downstream to portage a huge blockage, which only took 10 minutes but the banks were muddy. We had one unplanned swim & one recovered paddle. It was a scorcher afternoon, but with a breeze, some shade & many soakings of my shirt & hat, it was comfortable paddling. I didn't take any wildflower photos, but Jocelyn spotted a muskrat, and we passed some ducklings. As always, you've got to paddle hard around the tight bends to stay out of the logjams & avoid Mr Eddy! Afterwards, we enjoyed a lively conversation while refueling at the Thirsty Sturgeon. We were all delighted to paddle the Sturgeon before the summer crowds. I can't wait to return in the fall!
Trip report & photos by trip leader, Sara Cockrell