Trip Reports

May 3 Pine, Dobson to Low Bridge

The forecast was for low 40s & no sunshine, so our group dwindled down to half. Two had work obligations, Paula as a GTRLC volunteer steward, and 3 decided they weren't up for a cold paddle, but that didn't deter Ian Millar, Terry Johnson, or Jack Kurtz in joining me. 

Mark from Pine River Paddlesports had planned to be paddling from Peterson down to Low with the USFS & Pine River Assoc to clear the river, but again, they delayed due to the cold weather, so Jim Horina provided our TAPC shuttle instead, via Dublin due to the Peterson Bridge detour.

Terry had paddled this section on Sunday with a West Michigan kayak group, so knew there were several portages, as Mark Miltner had advised me, too. Obviously, the high water since 3 of us paddled on Good Friday had washed some more downed trees into the river, to join their friends. On 4/22, the only portage was downstream of Peterson Bridge, only 30 minutes from the Low Bridge take-out. The water level was twice norm today, but had been 4 times higher this past week, and the erosion was evident along the red clay bluffs.
 
Along the way, we enjoyed the fast water, surfing the riffles, working together to do 4 portages, and observing wildlife, an eagle near Dobson, a Canada goose sitting tight on her nest in the grass along the bank, a pair of mergansers, my first blue heron for the year, and a mink on a lojam. In addition, Terry's dog, River, joined us, and was so well behaved, except during lunch, when those wishful looks begged for a taste of our snacks on the sandy beach below Peterson. Lots of fun, 3 guys, 1 gal & 1 dog in 3 canoes (Terry's Mohawk whitewater, my kevlar flashfire & Jack's Argosy) & 1 kayak!

Ian threading the needle

Ian & Jack portaging one that blocked the river on 4/22, but more trees in high water had joined it!

Terry (his 1st TAPC paddle, new member, joined in winter due to Sara's photo albums),
his dog River, and Ian portaging a log that Jack & I hopped in our canoes.