TRIP SCHEDULE 2023

You are welcome to come for one day of multiple day trips.

***Indicates WHITEWATER TRIPS

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• April 1 - ***UPPER TAMARACK RIVER***

  ADVANCED (Whitewater) **LIMIT OF 7**

  The Upper Tamarack River is a completely separate river from the Lower Tamarack and has both greater gradient (30 ft per mile in the two mile section upstream of Minnesota Highway 25) and tighter bends in that stretch, causing a recurring wonder about what might be around that next corner. Stateline Road, located right on the Wisconsin/Minnesota border, has woefully undersized culverts which are large enough during summer, but in spring snowmelt make the river flow right over the road. There is an easy, short portage on river right, but people who choose to paddle right over the road should scout it first, because the west ditch will have a low-head dam effect, and there can be downed wood in the river. But paddling it well to the right of center - after scouting - is a big splash that won't stop your boat. Close to the end will be a beaver dam almost four feet high, but a portion of which is washed out at the west end. Flow in the washout recirculates like another low-head dam. The paddling trip will be about 11 miles, starting in Wisconsin, crossing into Minnesota, then crossing back into Wisconsin, to the takeout at an old ferry landing.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARK NELSON

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• April 22 - ***TOTOGATIC RIVER***

  ADVANCED (Whitewater) **LIMIT OF 7**

  This is a 7 mile scenic run in Washburn County, north of Hayward and Minong WI. The trip includes dozens of long class I and shorter class II rapids, punctuated by intermittent areas of quiet water. Early in the trip is a 20 ft waterfall and 4 miles later a 15 ft waterfall. Both falls occur over a horizontal distance of about 50 ft, and each has a portage of about 100 to 150 ft. Getting out of the boat for portaging the 15 ft waterfall can get very scratchy, with a lot of prickly ash and alder on the riverbanks. But most of the terrain is very appealing to see, with moss-covered basalt bedrock, and second growth pine that is now over a hundred years old after the end of the original logging era. The paddling can easily become a four-hour run because the portages are time consuming and just by wanting to view the waterfalls and experience the near-wilderness conditions. That also is a reason for the group to stay together.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARK NELSON

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• May 7 CANNON RIVER (Cannon Falls to Welch)

  Beginner

  This is a 13 mile run through bluff country and hardwood forests. Shortly after launching the Little Cannon River joins the main branch making a significant Class I rapids which can have whirlpools that tip paddlers. In places, bikers on the Cannon Valley Bike Trail will be visible above the river channel. As paddlers approach picturesque Welch, there will be more Class I rapids.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARILYN TORKELSON

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• May 13 STRAIGHT RIVER (Krogh's Landing to Two Rivers Park)

  INTERMEDIATE

  Paddling the last miles of the Straight before it becomes a tributary into the Cannon, we will go under about 10 bridges in 10 miles. Early in the trip is a glacial boulder about the size of a small garage. This trip will also go through River Bend Nature Center and Teepee Tonka Park. The Straight has a quick pace with an average gradient of 6.2 ft per mile.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: DON SCHAUB

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• May 21 - UPDATED - BLUE EARTH RIVER (Rapidan Dam to County Road 90)

  INTERMEDIATE

  The Blue Earth River got its name from the barely visible bluish-green clay deposits along the banks. We will be paddling the lower 11.9 mile stretch from the Rapidan Dam (a 475 foot wide, 87 foot high structure built in 1910 for the production of electrical power) to Hwy 90. This stretch is known for small tributaries that form picturesque waterfalls and gulches along the banks that can be seen during wet periods of the year. While the rapids on the Blue Earth River are generally Class I, it can move swiftly especially after a rainfall. We will plan to have 3 breaks along this trip, if access allows. The first being at “Devils Gulch” Which has a narrow, moss-covered passage (short hike) back into the valley to view a waterfall (if moisture levels are good). The second break will be our lunch stop at the amazing triple falls. The third and final planned break will be right after we pass the big rock, nicknamed “Big Moe” in the middle of the river.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MAVERICK JAYCOX

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• May 28 CROW RIVER (Hanover to Mississippi)

  Beginner

  This stretch of the Crow River goes through Riverside County Park and Crow-Hasson Park Reserve. In places the Crow has high wooded bluffs and in others meanders through floodplain. Average gradient for this trip is about 2 ft per mile over a paddling distance of about 15 miles.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: PAM WHITCOMB

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• May 29 - ZUMBRO RIVER (Zumbro Falls to Millville)

  Beginner

  The Zumbro is a scenic river with an active current and easy Class I rapids This popular trip will take us from Zumbro Falls to Millville. Bring your camera to capture the beauty of the occasional bluff, and other natural scenery. This is a great trip, just 70 miles south of the cities.

  FMI and trip packet, contact the trip coordinator: KEVIN HANNON

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• June 3 *** - UPDATED - TRIP CANCELED - VERMILLION RIVER (Hwy 52 to Hastings) ***

  INTERMEDIATE

  This section of the Vermillion is a prairie river completely upstream of the Mississippi floodplain where narrow Vermillion and wide continental river parallel each other for seven miles. There are many trees along the prairie corridor and paddling will include portages around downed trees. There also are Class I riffles as the Vermillion approaches Hastings.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: TERI REITAN

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• June 3 - RUM RIVER (Cambridge to Anderson Landing)

  Beginner

  Come enjoy good company on a beautiful river where the Dakota and Ojibwa once lived and hunted. This small, intimate river is quite isolated for being so close to the Twin Cities. Trees of many species that are remnants of the vast forest that covered the region provide ever-changing wooded scenes. A one-foot per mile gradient creates a slow current that is easy to paddle, while occasional maneuvering is required around a few rocks and boulders. So pack a lunch and plan to spend a relaxing day on a quiet river.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: NANCY LUNZER

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• June 10 *** UPPER BOIS BRULE RIVER ***

  ADVANCED

  The Bois Brule is one of the most popular rivers for canoeing and kayaking in Wisconsin. The Saturday trip will be about 10.5 miles, from Stone's Bridge to the Wisconsin DNR Bois Brule Campground. This trip goes through some lakes, several riffles, class I rapids, and one class II rapids that is a straight ramp type drop and can be done in an open canoe.

  Camping is available at DNR Bois Brule Campground or Copper Range Campground. It is suggested that you make reservations 2 - 3 months in advance as these campsites fill up. There are motels and cabins available in the town of Brule and surrounding area.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: JEAN BRANDES

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• June 11 - MISSISSIPPI RIVER (Monticello to Elk River)

  Beginner

  With the channels of the Mississippi merged into a single broad stream, the river from Monticello to Elk River flows smoothly past wooded hills or eroded banks, through cities and pockets of residential development. The paddling distance will be about 16 miles with an average gradient of about 2 ft per mile.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MIKE DOUGHERTY

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• June 17 - UPPER ST. CROIX RIVER

  Beginner

  The Upper St. Croix offers something for everyone: Beautiful scenery, novice rapids, and slow currents. The lazy paddling from Riverside to just above St. Croix State Park takes about 4-5 hours, including a lunch stop on a sandbar. The clear water and sandy bottom allow swimming almost at will. There is free camping available at Howell Landing East for anyone wanting to take full advantage of the weekend to explore further on Sunday on your own.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: CYNDI BARTHEL

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• - UPDATED - TRIP CANCELED - June 24 - - CROW RIVER-

  Beginner

  This stretch of the Crow River goes through Riverside County Park and Crow-Hasson Park Reserve - lots of wildlife in this section. In places the Crow has high wooded bluffs and in others meanders through floodplain. Average gradient for this trip is about 2 ft per mile over a paddling distance of about 15 miles, for about a 5-hour paddle.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: JENNIFER SCHUETZ HADLEY

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• July 1 - APPLE RIVER

  INTERMEDIATE

  This section of the Apple is happily far upstream from the tubing area which on Independence Day weekend will draw crowds of tubers. It will be a 14 mile trip, mostly flatwater, but includes an exciting section of riffles and Class I rapids, which if water level is high, could become Class II. If there are a couple participants who have a trailer for hauling multiple boats, we can do a reverse shuttle, cutting down driving time.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARILYN TORKELSON

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: PAM WHITCOMB

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• July 8 - RUM RIVER (CAMBRIDGE)

  Beginner

  We will paddle through undeveloped forests in a less traveled section of the Rum. Lunch stop is a county park. The paddle to car shuttle ratio is great -13.5 miles of paddling and only 5 miles of car shuttle!

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARK DeBOER

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• July 15 - ST. CROIX RIVER (Norway Point to Hwy 70)

  INTERMEDIATE

  This is a 17 mile trip through an isolated section of central Minnesota. Three miles after launching, the river splits into two channels, with five miles of Class I / Class II rapids on the east channel. There are intermittent sections of rapids on the west channel, named the Kettle River Slough, which contains the mouth of the Kettle River. At the first mouth is a great lunch spot, where paddlers can listen to rapids while having lunch at a nice campsite. Islands divide the Kettle mouth into five possible paddling routes. So many options, so little time!

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: NICK LINDMAN

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• - UPDATED - TRIP CANCELED - July 22-23 - LOWER NAMEKAGON RIVER WEEKEND

  Beginner

  The Lower Namekagon offers a slow pace to give you time to enjoy the scenery, bask in the warmth, observe the animals, and celebrate the lazy days of summer. Saturday we will be canoeing the shallow, sandy-bottomed section downstream from the campsite. Lunch will be at a halfway point where there are picnic tables. After lunch, we will be going past the highest sand dune in northern Wisconsin. We will also have possible swim stops where the water deepens. Saturday evening we will have time at the campsite to socialize some more around a campfire. On Sunday, we will put in upstream and paddle back to the campsite take-out. The river on this upper section again is relatively narrow, clear, shallow, and sandy, and it also has an abundance of fish, turtles, ducks, osprey, and deer.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: CYNDI BARTHEL

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• July 29 -UPDATED - TRIP CANCELED - UPPER ROOT RIVER (Parsley Landing)

  Beginner

  This is a gentle flowing, spring fed, peaceful river with a sandy bottom. There are a few rocks and riffles. The banks are mostly tree-lined with limestone walls and some awesome towering bluffs. Join us for a quiet paddle further from the commotion of riverside campgrounds and outfitter tours. The Root River supports over 40 species of birds including blue herons, egrets, wood ducks, red-tailed hawks, osprey, turkey vultures and bald eagles. Wooded shores harbor mammals such as deer, gray fox, red fox, coyotes, raccoons, woodchucks, squirrels, weasels, river otters and badgers. The timber rattlesnake can be found along the banks, trails and outcrops anywhere in southeastern Minnesota.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: JOHN AND KANDY OLSON

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• August 5 - CANNON RIVER (Two Rivers Park to Dundas)

  INTERMEDIATE

  With the waters of the tributary Straight often doubling the size of the Cannon below Two Rivers Park, the Cannon becomes a big river which historically powered Faribault Woolen Mills and the Archibald Flour Mill just west of this trip's takeout. The larger Cannon also eroded out 200 ft bluffs towering over the river. The trip distance is about 13 miles with average gradient of about 3 ft per mile.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: DON SCHAUB

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• August 12 - UPDATED - TRIP CANCELED - SAUK RIVER (Rockville to Waite Park)

  Beginner

  This trip meanders through woods and some pasture and occasionally passes by bedrock outcroppings of grayish pinkish granite. The paddling distance will be 11.5 miles with a gradient of 2 feet per mile.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: NANCY LUNZER

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• August 19-20 - UPDATED - TRIP CANCELED - MIDDLE NAMEKAGON WEEKEND (Hayward)

  Beginner

  The Upper Namekagon between Hayward and Earl, Wisconsin has a swift current with a series of moderate (Class I-II) rapids - just enough to keep it enjoyable. Bring your camera to capture the beauty of one of America's most scenic wild rivers. Wildlife abounds on this trip. Saturday night we relax at the rustic campground at Earl that is encircled by the river. The current is slow here giving us the opportunity to step into the river, float a good quarter mile and step out at the other side of the campground. On Sunday we backtrack a little and repeat the best part of the river and continue further downstream. We will be paddling about 4 hours each day.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: JENNIFER SCHUETZ HADLEY

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• August 26 - UPDATED - TRIP CANCELED - SNAKE RIVER (Grasston to Pine City)

  Beginner

  The slow pace of the Snake River downstream of Mora (0.6 ft per mile gradient) allows easy observation of songbirds, waterfowl, the river, and even forest mammals if paddlers are quiet. Late in the trip, paddlers will see on the river's right bank the Minnesota Historical Society's replica of 18th century Northwest Company fur post. A mile later the river will cross Pine City Wildlife Management Area, which brings the trip into Pine City.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: NANCY LUNZER

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• September 3 - UPDATED - TRIP CANCELED - MISSISSIPI RIVER (St. Cloud to Clearwater)

  Beginner

  Paddle narrow channels through the Beaver Islands at the start of our trip. The islands are a mix of public and private land. The river then widens through a mostly undeveloped landscape with bluffs. There are several public boat launches and campsites perfect for a picnic lunch stop or to stretch our legs along the way. Expect some riffles when the river levels are low and fast moving water when they are high.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MIKE DOUGHERTY

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• September 9 - UPDATED - TRIP CANCELED - LOWER ST. CROIX RIVER

  Beginner

  This section of the St. Croix offers views of a heavily wooded steep-sided valley with occasional sandstone and limestone bluffs. Winding side channels and shaded backwaters offers a chance for some exploration. Springs and small streams entering the river create miniature deltas and valleys. Animals that we might see on our trip are white-tailed deer, beaver, raccoon, otter, mink, muskrat, fox and the occasional waterfowl.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: LORI MARDOCK

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• September 16 - KINNICKINNIC RIVER

  INTERMEDIATE

  Paddle the river that gives its name to River Falls, WI. This is a small twisting and turning river in a deep wooded gorge. It offers superb scenery with difficulty comparable to Rice and Minnehaha creeks. This is a favorite paddle for many of the River Rambler members. It is less than an hour from the Twin Cities and probably the most scenic paddle within that distance.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARK NELSON

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• September 23 - ZUMBRO RIVER (Millville to Theilman)

  Beginner

  The Zumbro is a scenic river with an active current and easy Class I rapids. The river bottom is mostly sand and gravel. You might see eagles, herons, geese and other wildlife. Early fall color is just starting.

  FMI and trip packet, contact the trip coordinator: JOHN & KANDY OLSON

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• September 30 - UPDATED - TRIP CANCELED - MISSISSIPPI RIVER (Coon Rapids to Broadway)

  Beginner

  This section of the Mississippi River from the Coon Rapids Dam to Ole Olson Park in Minneapolis covers about 10.5 miles of travel. We weave our way through the islands if water levels allow. We anticipate some lovely fall colors. Eventually, the view opens up to the city scape. One has the contrast of being in a natural setting with the city rising up in front of us as we travel south bound. This is a flat water trip suitable for those able to handle October temperatures and keep themselves dry.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MIKE DOUGHERTY

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• October 7- LOWER CANNON RIVER

  Beginner

  The Cannon is a fun river and only a short drive from the Twin Cities. We will paddle an 11-mile trip from Miesville Ravine Park Reserve to Highway 61. We hope to avoid most of the inner tubers at this time of year so we may have this great section of the Cannon to ourselves.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARK DEBOER

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• October 14- RED CEDAR RIVER (Colfax WI area)

  INTERMEDIATE

  Besides dams that create large impoundments in a few areas, the 100 mile long Red Cedar River moves along briskly past wooded hills, grassy fields, and idyllic countryside. The entire flowing parts of this medium sized river have a gradient of about 4 ft per mile with virtually no rapids so it feels like a smooth downhill paddle.

  The 14 mile (around 5 hours on the water) trip chosen for this day is one of my favorite sections. About a 90 minute drive east of the Twin Cities the river above Colfax and beyond has the strong river current and beautiful scenery that make the Red Cedar such a great place to explore. This trip is intermediate due to strong current and likely cool fall weather.

  FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: STEVE KUHN

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