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Traverse Area Paddle Club

Remember: all TAPC outings are listed on our event calendar and are color coded using this scheme:

 

Small Inland Lakes   

Great Lakes   

Easy Rivers 

Intermediate Rivers  

Difficult Rivers 
Clean-up Trips 

Out-of-town Trips 

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Trip Reports

May 13 - S Branch AuSable paddle & hike

Published on 5/13/2017
As Mike (retired engineer) pointed out, we beat my estimate by 2 minutes, yea! What a feat, a 10 mile paddle from Chase Bridge to Smith Bridge in 3 hrs, followed by a 9 mile hike back in less than 4 hrs! This was Mike & Barb's first Mason Tract hike & Sarah Slade's first S Branch of AuSable River paddle. The river was high & fast, 318 cfs vs 283, and Mike & Barb negotiated several tight spots in their new canoe like pros! We took our first break at The Chapel during a light intermittent shower, transitioned into our hiking gear at Smith Bridge, then another break along the trail. We spotted many birds, including mergansers, eagles, blue heron & turkey vulture, but only a few small patches of marsh marigold. There were several fisherman enjoying the solitude of the river, too. Afterwards, we'd earned a great dinner & drinks together at Paddle Hard Brewery. Report & photos by Trip Leader, Sara Cockrell