Trip Reports

July 27 Upper Manistee River

Participants: Marlene Puska, John Heiam, and Lois Goldstein. A few days before four others had been signed up, but for various reasons they decided to cancel.

The night before in Traverse City we had received a small amount of rain, but we didn't have much hope that such a small amount would raise the river. While the shuttle was being run from C-38, we received a few drops of rain, but not enough to get me wet even though I left my rain jacket at home. Once we started paddling, we found the river higher than expected.  We had been warned about the first log jam, but Lois was able to make it through in her Mohawk canoe. Marlene and I took one look at the small amount of water over the log, got out in knee deep water and stepped over the log. We had been told that the two upcoming beaver dams were also portages, but we were all able to blast over without getting out of our boats. Of course we all had to urge our boats over with a little body "English". The forecasted heat never developed, and we enjoyed overcast cool conditions all the way down the river. We met one fisherman on the river midway through the trip, and then three more right at the takeout at Cameron Bridge. There were no other paddlers - not bad for a summer weekend. Of course the challenges this part of the river presents keeps most folks starting their trip where we ended ours.
Report and photos by John