Canoeing the upper Huron, May '09

Journal
Canoe trip with Meetup group, May 15-16-17, 2009
Upper Huron River, Michigan
Gary Hochgraf

Friday evening
We all met at Heavener’s canoe livery, where we rented one aluminum canoe and arranged for a shuttle for three private boats. Alan Heavener was very helpful and concerned with the approaching storm, but our confidence won him over and he let us go. We are seven. Myself as leader in my solo canoe, Mike and Katharina in the rental boat, Miguel and Katherine (Kat) in my Minnesota II, and Paula and her husband Peter in their Coleman 13’. Its pretty easy paddling on a gently moving river as it winds through marshes until we reach Milford. Now the river is a pond with many houses until we reach the dam, which we portage. The landing for the portage is quite small for canoes, and for unloading the gear. And the put in has a strong cross-current at the ramp.
There are a few trees to maneuver around on this next section, and its been raining lightly off and on.
We arrive at Kensington Canoe camp, and there are lots of boy scout troops here for the weekend. One of them has taken the campsite next to the river which is normally for canoeists, so we hike up the hill to a vacant site, where we rig a tarp over the picnic table, and belly up for dinner. Everybody has brought their own - burritos, spaghetti, lasagna soup (Mtn House), crackers and cheese, or hot dogs. We’re glad for the tarp as the rains continue, building to heavy with lightning and thunder at night.

Saturday
Still overcast and some light rain to start, but settling down to heavy overcast with gusty winds. Various breakfasts are eaten, we collect water, pack up and head out.
The river soon opens out into Kent Lake, and we encounter steady head-winds. Today is race day. We see herds of cyclists flying over the bridge. There is a high school rowing regatta taking the main section of the lake, and a few sailboats are rounding buoys at the far end. We hug the shore where possible to cheat the wind, and pull hard across open water, winds and waves, and rest behind islands and peninsulas. It was a long hard haul across the lake, and we really earned lunch at the portage.
Back on the river was so pleasant with the trees blocking the wind some, and the SUN has come out!
We were warned of dubious river conditions on this section and below. The bridge at Kensington Rd was a very tight fit, as the water is quite high, and a log with similar low clearance between there and the RR bridge.
We finally made it to camp. Its a nice cleared area with a lone big tree in the middle, and plenty of space for tents and canoes. We set up tents and nap in the sun, dry out the gear, and eat! And toss Frisbees around, and eat!
Later, we get a fire going, enjoy a rosy sunset, and head for bed as soon as it is dark.

Sunday
Beautiful morning, but chilly. Another fire helps warm us as breakfast is made, camp is struck, and those done packing toss the Frisbee around.
Finally on the water, a late start, and we encounter more downed trees. Some of them have us paddling through the woods to get around. But with the river up so high, its really fun to paddle between trees. More trees blocking the river just above Placeway and below US-23.
Lunch at a small landing before 23, then twisting on eventually to Huron Meadows Metropark. Miguel drives the Minn II way up onto shore, Kat steps out, the boat tips, and Miguel goes overboard. The last possible chance to dump! But it’s a nice sunny day and the trip is ended, and we all have a good laugh.
Heavener’s shuttle is an hour late-the driver got lost, so we lounge on the grass, nap, nibble, and chat. We’ve made some good bonds in just one weekend, and talk of doing the next section of river this summer.

The end.
Gary