It's our contribution to National Public Lands Day! The Lower Platte between M-22 and Lake Michigan is the easiest river in our area, and consequently gets lots of usage during the summer months. Unfortunately, that also means that it gets far too much trash dropped into it. We will paddle downstream, picking up stuff as we go. There will be a stop for a lunch break halfway down, and we’ll continue on to the mouth of the river. The Lower Platte has a sandy bottom all the way, and has exceptionally clear water. Driving time from Traverse City is about an hour. Directions are below. We plan to make a full day affair of a trip that normally takes less than two hours.
We would like everyone to be at the parking area between 9:30 and 9:45 AM, so we can haul boats down to the water and then be ready to move all the vehicles at 10. Please plan your departure from home with enough time so that you will have your boat rigged, and we can run the shuttle at 10.
One of the rangers from the National Lakeshore will be there to meet and greet us, and to thank us for our volunteer efforts. They usually bring along decals, pins, refrigerator magnets or patches. Parking in the National Lakeshore will be free that day! There will be some grabber sticks for us to use as loaners, but if you have your own, please bring it along. The ranger will also assist with our pre-trip photos and taking our drivers back to the put-in.
Don't forget all of the following stuff:
boat, paddle and PFD
grabber stick if you own one
big sponge to clean out your boat
lunch, and water to drink
dry bag with raingear
a few plastic grocery bags for trash (I will have lots of large ones to consolidate our stuff at the end of the trip)
footwear that will stay on your feet in the water
sunhat and sunscreen
a waterproof container to hold your wallet and car keys
Let's hope that maybe this time, we won't find anything - wouldn't that be nice!
Driving directions:
Platte River (Lower section)
Meet at the canoe access on Lake Michigan Road (also called M-708) about 1/4 mile off of M-22. See the link to the map. Do not go to Riverside Rental; that is the access on the other side of the river. My favorite route is to take US-31 to the town of Honor, and then take Deadstream Road (M-708) between Platte Lake and Little Platte Lake until you reach M-22. Then turn south (left) and drive about 1/2 mile to the first intersection. Turn right, and meet us at the parking area. http://home.nps.gov/applications/parks/slbe/ppMaps/SLBE-we2.pdf