Trip Reports

April 12 Manistee River hike AM & paddle PM

This was Nancy Brigg's first paddle in a solo canoe, and she was a natural, esp considering the river was FAST, with lots of riffles, swollen from recent snowmelt & heavy rains, higher than I've ever seen it! And, birds galore, Cormorants, Buffleheads, Mergansers & Canada Geese, nesting with their mate standing sentinel along the grassy bank. By early June, there should be a bumper crop of goslings. It was a record pace, less than 2 hrs in 50-60s sunshine, so a purr-fect way to spend the afternoon, after our 10-mile hike on the Manistee River Trail! Last year, we paddled Woodpecker Creek to Red Bridge on April Fools Day in the 80s and took a swim, but not quite that warm today! Maybe a swim in May instead.