Trip Reports

Ian, Sara, Jocelyn, Jack, and Henry convened for the 2nd annual Au Sable Gut Puller which runs from Chase Bridge on the South Branch to McMasters Bridge on the Mainstream.  This is basically two easy paddles strung together to make a 21+ mile excursion through cedar swamps and high banks.  With temps in the 70's and partly cloudy skies, everyone maintained a leisurely but steady pace to the lunch stop at Canoe Harbor.  Recent rain made for plenty of water but the water level was still two feet below Spring levels.  After lunch the current picked up as we wound our way through the beautiful section below Smith Bridge and stopped at Conners Flats on the Mainstream for a short break and an encounter with the Swampthing.  From Conners Flats we sprinted to McMasters bettering our overall time for the same group last year by twenty minutes.  Then it was on to the Gray Rock in Grayling for food and libations.