RTS 2009 Trip List
For a pdf version of this trip list click HERE.
Interested in paddling some great water with fun and skilled paddlers? If so, the River Touring Section (RTS) is the group for you. Every year, our members lead paddling adventures on both quiet water and whitewater. We also lead instructional clinics to teach you paddling and safety skills.
RTS is affiliated with the Sierra Club, but our trips are open to everyone. We want to get you on rivers. We hope that you grow to enjoy paddling and to love rivers and support groups that work to protect them such as the Sierra Club and the River Alliance of Wisconsin.
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Each trip and clinic includes the name and contact information of the trip leaders. You must call the leaders prior to the trip to register and to get the logistics of the trip (when and where it departs.) Trip leaders can provide information about the trip or clinic and help you assess your abilities to participate. Trip leaders reserve the right to limit participation based on the number of people registered, participant skill levels, trip difficulty, and other reasons.
GEAR: You are responsible for providing all of your gear—boat, paddles, life jacket, bail bucket, and so on. You’ll also need to provide weather-appropriate clothing. This means a wet or dry suit for early and late season runs and for whitewater as well as gear to minimize sun exposure such as a hat and sunglasses.
All participants MUST wear a properly fitted and securely fastened life jacket on all the trips and in the clinics. For Class II and higher whitewater, participants should wear a life jacket designed for whitewater, a whitewater helmet, and have a boat that is properly outfitted with floatation and thigh straps. These items may be required for some Class II trips (see trip description and talk to the trip leader) and are absolutely required for Class III and higher water.
You are responsible for providing all of your camping equipment—tents, sleeping bag, food, etc. Trips marked “Car Camp” means you’ll return to a camping site for the evening. “Canoe Camp” means you need to carry all your equipment with you in your canoe. “Canoe Camp with Portage” means you’ll have an opportunity to carry all of your gear at some point on the trip.
CLASSES OF WATER: We want your RTS experience to be fun. We also want it to be safe. The International Scale of River Rating Difficulty (see box) is a guide for assessing the difficulty of a stretch of water and will help you decide if a trip is appropriate for you and your skill level. Except for the occasional flatwater/quietwater lake trips, all of our trips are on rivers. Many of these trips are suitable for paddlers with solid flatwater canoe skills. Trip leaders are always happy to discuss the nature of the river with you.
International Scale of
River Rating Difficulty
The International Scale of River Rating Difficulty is a guide for
assessing the difficulty of a stretch of water. Some rivers will not
clearly fall into a neat system. Temperatures below 500 F should change
a rating to be one class more difficult than normal.
- Class I - Moving water with few riffles and small waves. Few or no obstructions.
- Class II - Easy rapids with waves up to three feet and wide clear channels that are obvious.
- Class III - Rapids with high, irregular waves often capable of swamping an open canoe. Narrow passages that often require complex maneuvering. May require some scouting from shore.
- Class IV - Long, difficult rapids and constricted passages that often require precise maneuvering in very turbulent waters. Scout from shore often necessary and conditions make rescue difficult. Canoeists and kayakers should have the ability to roll.
From the American Canoe Associate Web Site.
(Note: The scale includes two additional Classes—V and VI—but since RTS is not offering trips at that level, we didn’t include that information.)
LIABILITY WAIVER and REQUIREMENTS: All participants are required to sign a liability waiver prior to the trip or clinic and abide by decisions made by the trip leaders. If you would like to read the liability waiver form before you sign up for a trip or clinic, please see: http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/.
TRANSPORTATION: You are responsible for providing your own transportation to and from the river. We can identify people who have space in their car and people who need rides, but we do not make transportation arrangements.
OTHER: We do not allow non-paddlers, pets, glass containers, or alcoholic beverages on our trips while we are on the water.
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS? Please see our web site at: or http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/rts/ or contact: Meg Nelson, RTS Chair, at: prairiesmoke2@gmail.com, 608-242-8633.
INSTRUCTIONAL CLINICS
RTS members offer several instructional clinics for a nominal fee. These clinics are a great way to gain skills and confidence. Because we strive to maintain a low student to teacher ratio—typically 4 to l or less—we can offer highly individualized instruction. The clinics fill up early. To avoid missing out on the clinic you want to take, reserve your spot now by calling the clinic instructor and sending in your fee (non-refundable). All of the clinic teachers volunteer their time. Fees cover supplies and refreshments. RTS donates the remaining funds to conservation and river protection groups.
RED CROSS WILDERNESS FIRST AID BASICS
CLINIC—2 day, 16 hour course
April 4 - 5 Lapham Peak Park west of
Milwaukee 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Clinic Fee: $40 for Sierra Club members, $65 for non-Sierra Club
members; fee includes 2 booklets, textbook, and a Red Cross
certification valid for 3 years. The course will cover patient
assessment skills, decision making skills, and the treatment of
environmental, traumatic, and medical illness and injury in the
backcountry when advanced care is delayed. CPR will be discussed,
but CPR will NOT be taught. The class will run from 8AM to 5PM Saturday
and Sunday with a one hour lunch break. Cars will need a yearly state
park sticker or a daily parking pass. Please bring your own
lunch. Participants must pre-register. Class size is
limited to 12 people. Minimum age is 15. To register or get
more details, contact: Wendy Watson, 262-782-1484, wwjjww2@wi.rr.com. Also, if
people certified at the April 2006 class wish to recertify, please
contact Wendy.
WHITEWATER CLINIC, SOLO AND TANDEM
CANOES
June 6-7 Wolf River/Bear Paw Outdoor
Adventure Resort
Class II; Car Camp. Clinic Fee: $30 per person;
Camping Fee, $5 per person per night.*
RTS whitewater clinics are for reasonably experienced moving water
(river) paddlers who want to learn whitewater skills and novice
whitewater paddlers who want to improve their skills. This is for
open canoes, not kayaks. Paddlers must provide their own properly
equipped canoe. Except for some classroom sessions, separate
instruction will be provided for solo and tandem participants.
There will be a potluck dinner Saturday night for clinic participants,
instructors, and RTS paddlers. Please bring a dish to share.
* We have reserved the group camp site at Bear Paw for camping Friday
and Saturday nights. If you prefer other lodging arrangements,
there are many options available. See the Wolf River Territory
website (www.wolfriverterritory.com)
for information.
Also, new this year, RTS is offering a paddling trip concurrent with
the clinics. Please see the trip schedule for more information.
For information and registration, contact:
Registration (Solo and Tandem): Doug
Robinson, 608-334-8026, dougknu@charter.net.
Solo Clinic Leaders: Doug Robinson, 608-334-8026, Dale Dean,
608-879-9280
Tandem Clinic Leaders: Kevin Olson, 608-963-2678, Phil Johnsrud,
715-445-4777
MOVING WATER CANOE CLINIC
Cancelled!
June 13 Kickapoo River
Class I. Clinic Fee: $25 per person. Confident
and competent on lakes, but not ready for rivers? Then this canoe
clinic is for you. We’ll review the basic strokes—draws, prys, sweeps,
forward, back and J. We’ll discuss safety, reading water, and
maneuvers—ferries, side slips, and eddy turns. Then we’ll practice
these skills as we canoe the Kickapoo. To register or get more details,
contact: Meg Nelson, 608-242-8633, prairiesmoke2@gmail.com.
PADDLING TRIPS
April 4 - 5 Robinson and
Morrison Creeks near Black River Falls
Class II; Car Camp. When
the water is up in the spring, these two small, scenic rivers are a lot
of fun. Although the Robinson has a couple of drops, they can be
portaged. Trees often need to be portaged as well. As always, we’ll
pick up spring thaw trash as we go, leaving the streams in better shape
for those who follow. Wet/dry suit required for this early season trip.
For details, contact:
Phil Johnsrud, 715-445-4777, johnsrudp@iola.k12.wi.us.
April 11 - 12 Little Rivers
Exploratory
Class III; Car Camp. Based on water levels,
we’ll select two or more small rivers in northern Wisconsin that can
only be paddled in spring. Learn about river restoration and
preservation. Wet/dry suit and helmet required. Note:
Depending on water levels, we may change the date of this trip.
For details, contact: Dale Dean, 608-879-9280, daleink@jvlnet.com.
April 25 - 26 Popple, Upper
Peshtigo
Class II-III; Car Camp. April is a good
time for water levels on these wild and historic rivers. We plan to run
sections of both rivers but could end up running two sections of the
Popple. Learn about the historic values and user issues associated with
these smaller rivers. Wet/dry suit and helmet required. For details,
contact: Larry Zibell, 715-546-2131.
May 2-3 Pine River
Class II; Canoe Camp. Join us for the 34rd annual Pine River
weekend! We plan to paddle from Highway 55 to Chipmunk Rapids in
Forest and Florence Counties. This is a terrific opportunity to canoe
and camp on one of Wisconsin’s designated “wild rivers.” There will be
time to reflect and discuss the challenges and changes facing this
river. For details, contact: Larry Zibell, 715-546-2131 OR Leo Hummel,
608-868-1654.
May 2 - 3 South Fork of the
Flambeau and/or the Jump River
Class III; Car Camp. Depending on water levels,
we will paddle two sections of the South Fork of the Flambeau and/or
the Jump River. We’ll discuss storm water runoff and how to control it
as we paddle these exciting wild rivers. Wet/drysuit and helmet
required. Note: Depending on water levels, we may
change the date of this trip. For details, contact: Dale Dean,
608-879-9280, daleink@jvlnet.com
OR Doug Robinson, 608-334-8026, dougknu@charter.net.
May 9 - 10 Wolf River (Sections
II & III), plus one other whitewater run
Class II-III; Car Camp. We’ll spend one day on
the Wolf. The other choice will be determined by water levels.
Possibilities include the Peshtigo, Pike, and Red.
Wet/drysuit and helmet required. This is a chance to
refine your paddling skills with experienced paddlers. Our goals
are safety and fun. For details, contact: Paul Janda,
608-839-5831, pauljanda@mail.com.
May 16 - 17 Wisconsin
Whitewater
Class II-III; Car Camp. Trip leaders will decide which
river(s) to paddle based on water levels. Possible rivers include the:
Oconto, Pike, Wolf, and Red. Whitewater paddlers will hone their
skills, learning from two experienced leaders. Wet/drysuit and helmet
required. For details, contact: Bill Barclay or Peg Strobel,
708-386-1371, chocolatehouse@sbcglobal.net.
May 23 - 25 Bois
Brule (with Kettle River option)
Class I-II/Bois Brule. Class III-IV/Kettle; Car Camp. Join
us for three day trips on the Bois Brule. On Saturday, we’ll paddle
from County S to Highway 2. On Sunday, we’ll go from Pine Tree Landing
to Highway 13—this section includes a series of Class II rapids. On
Monday, we’ll go from Highway 13 to Lake Superior. We’ll learn about
the work to protect this trout stream. Depending on interest,
whitewater paddlers may canoe the Kettle River in Minnesota on
Saturday. Helmets required for rapids on the Brule and for the Kettle.
Camping is available at the DNR Campground south of Brule WI in Douglas
County. The trip leader will reserve as many sites as possible.
This is a busy weekend so please share your site with fellow Sierrans.
For details, contact: Phil Olson at 715-682- 3434, 715-292-4449 (cell),
philole@centurytel.net.
June 6 - 7 WHITEWATER CLINICS for Solo and Tandem canoes (See Clinics)
June 6 - 7 Peshtigo and Wolf
River
Class II-II+. Car-Camp. We’ll paddle
the upper Peshtigo on Saturday and a section of the Wolf on
Sunday. These two day trips were intentionally designed to
coincide with the whitewater clinics so that paddlers who don’t need
the clinic, but aren’t ready (or willing, or needed) to teach at one of
the clinics can join the weekend festivities, camp with the group, and
paddle area rivers with experienced trip leaders. This is a great
opportunity to build skills and confidence. For details, contact:
Gary Leander, 570-401-6335, gleander@charter.net.
June 13 MOVING WATER CANOE CLINIC (See Clinics)
June 20 Badfish Creek
Class I. We’ll spend a half day winding our way through
a lightly populated area South of Madison. The surprising Badfish
features Class I riffles and reliable water thanks to the Madison
Sewerage District. Learn about how a fairly high quality sewage
treatment impacts Badfish Creek. For details, contact Carl Zimm,
608-246-0485, beampowered-tetrode@yahoo.com.
July 4 - 5 Wisconsin Whitewater
(for Beginners)
Class II-II+; Car Camp. This trip is designed
for paddlers learning the art of whitewater paddling—there won’t be any
rapids rated above Class II+ on this trip. We’ll paddle rivers in
northern Wisconsin, with the choice of rivers dependent upon water
levels and the groups’ interest/experience. Likely candidates include
the Pike, Oconto, Wolf (Sections I and/or II) and Peshtigo (Section
II). This is a great opportunity to build skills and confidence with
the support of other paddlers. For details, contact: Bill Barclay
or Peg Strobel, 708-386-1371, chocolatehouse@sbcglobal.net.
July 3 - 5 Lower Wisconsin River
Class I; Canoe Camping (on sandbars). This
three day, two night camping trip on a remote, peaceful section of the
Wisconsin River features inviting sandbars, sandy beaches, towering
bluffs, and craggy rock outcroppings. We’ll put in at Peck’s
Lands just south of Spring Green and take out at Port Andrew just west
of Muscoda. We’ll paddle through the Avoca State Wildlife Area
which contains the largest tallgrass prairie east of the Mississippi
and through WI Department of Resources wildlife areas and learn about
the importance of these habitats. For details, contact Carl
Wisler at 262-542-9593, cwisler@wi.rr.com.
July 11 - 12 Wolf and Red Rivers
Class II; Car Camp. Practice whitewater skills
from the WW clinics before they get rusty. Paddle the Red River,
a favorite of many paddlers. For details, contact: Pat or Bobbie Wilson
608-788-8831 pbwilson@centurytel.net.
July 11 - 12 Little
Manistee (Michigan)
Class I; Car Camp. This is a surpassingly
beautiful river in lower Michigan not yet (and maybe never) in the Wild
and Scenic River program (between the Pere Marquette and Pine Rivers
off highway MI 37); crystal clear water, more wildlife than
people. The first day is a beginner trip; the second day is an advanced
beginner of fast water (no rapids) and tight bends. Paddlers will need
ability to back paddle, ferry, draw, pry and eddy to do the second
day. For details, contact: Bill Barclay or Peg Strobel,
708-386-1371, chocolatehouse@sbcglobal.net.
July
25 - 26 Upper Iowa River (Iowa)
Class I; Car camp. The spring-fed river is
one of the most scenic rivers in the Midwest—beautiful limestone
cliffs break up this stretch of greenbelt. Learn about this unique
geology and ecology of the driftless (unglaciated) region. For details,
contact: Doug Robinson, 608-334-8026, dougknu@charter.net.
August 1 - 2 Black River
Class I; Canoe Camp (on sandbar). Life’s a beach
on this section of the Black River! We’ll canoe camp on a sandbar in
this beautiful quietwater section of the river downstream from Black
River Falls. Children are welcome on this family-oriented trip. Learn
how to canoe camp with children. For details, contact: Kasy Culbertson,
608-222-0746, kasy99@gmail.com.
August 8 - 9
Chippewa River
Class I; Canoe Camp (on sandbars). The
Chippewa River features sandbars, sandy beaches, wooded shorelines, and
a wild appearance. You can expect to see eagles, osprey and other
wildlife while paddling on the stretch from Dunnville on the Red Cedar
River to the Mississippi. We will cover 10 to 15 miles a day and
paddle through both the Dunnville and Tiffany State Wildlife
Areas. This is a great chance to learn about canoe camping.
For details, contact Carl Wisler at 262-542-9593, cwisler@wi.rr.com.
August 22 - 23 Flambeau
River
Class II; Canoe Camping. Refresh your soul
on the Flambeau by participating on a trip that has become one of our
finest traditions. We’ll learn about the importance of protecting
rivers within our State Forests. For details, contact: Rich Krieg,
920-497-8004, eddyout@gmail.com
OR Dale Dean, 608-879-9280,
daleink@jvlnet.com.
September 12 - 13 Pine River (Michigan)
Class I; Car Camp. We will paddle two days
on the Pine River (Elm Flats to Low Bridge), returning to camp after
the first day. The Pine is a beautiful river with moderate to
quick current and one stretch of Class I rapids. Tight bends and
chutes, especially on the second day, require basic paddling
skills. The Pine is part of the wild and scenic river
program. However, because we have moved this trip beyond the
permit expiration date, we will not be required to obtain permits; the
parking fee will be in effect, however ($5 for the weekend). For
details, contact: Bill Barclay or Peg Strobel, 708-386-1371, chocolatehouse@sbcglobal.net.
September 19 - 20 Blackjack Creek
and Deerskin River
Class I; Canoe Camp. Explore the Blackjack
Springs wilderness in Nicolet National Forst via Blackjack Creek.
We’ll camp in a wilderness area and return via the Deerksin
River. We’ll observe and learn about the effects of the 2001
removal of the dam on the Deerskin. For details, contact Ron
Rosner or Ronnie Hess, 608-238-1828, rosner7@charter.net.
September 26 - 27 Wisconsin
Whitewater (rivers to be determined)
Class II-III; Car Camp. Another beautiful fall
weekend (if we’re lucky). Depending on water levels, paddlers’
interest, and weather, we could paddle the Pike, Peshtigo, or Wolf.
This is a chance to improve paddling skills learned earlier this year
in the clinics or on other rivers. Wet/drysuit and helmet required. For
details, contact: Bill Barclay or Peg Strobel, 708-386-1371, chocolatehouse@sbcglobal.net.
October 31, November 1 Wolf
River (Sections II & III)
Class II-III; Car Camp. Annual Halloween Trip.
We’ll paddle Section III on Saturday and Section II on
Sunday. Let’s leave the river looking good for winter by picking up
trash as we go. Wet/drysuit and helmet required. Potluck dinner on
Saturday night. For details, contact: Phil Johnsrud,
715-445-4777, johnsrudp@iola.k12.wi.us.
Saturday, January 9, 2010 River
Touring Section Annual Meeting
Plan the 2010 season trips. Meet in Oconomowoc at the Summit Town Hall.
We'll start about
11 am, have a pot-luck lunch, see old and new friends, discuss river
issues, see slides of past trips,
winding up in the late afternoon. A great way to beat those "the
water's too hard to paddle in" blues.
PADDLING RESOURCES: Wisconsin guidebooks include: Paddling Northern Wisconsin, Paddling Southern Wisconsin, and Whitewater; Quietwater. In addition, you’ll find information about safety about other issues on the following web sites: American Canoe Association: http://www.americancanoe.org. American Whitewater: http://www.americanwhitewater.org. The latter includes current water levels for many Wisconsin rivers.
The John Muir Chapter,
Great Waters Group, and Four Lakes Group of the Sierra Club
are offering the following trips into Quetico Provincial
Park, Canada.
Quetico Canoe Trip
July 29 - Aug. 8: Join eight
other modern-day voyageurs on this special adventure into the timeless
and pristine wilderness of Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park. Two
9-person crews will traverse the park one way, one crew beginning at an
Ely, MN base and the other at Atikokan, Ontario, meeting along the way
in a grand rendezvous. Expect to see wildlife and ancient Ojibway
pictographs, travel the routes of the trappers and voyageurs and have
the opportunity to explore from wilderness camps, fish and swim in
drinkable lakes, learn about Quetico’s natural and cultural history and
stargaze in crystal-clear skies. Experience is not required, but
good physical fitness and a positive attitude are essential.
Shared costs will be $475, including canoes and packs. A deposit
of $100 will hold your reservation. Southbound dates are July
30-Aug. 8. Trip leaders: Mike Prausa 414-305-0052, email mprausa@wi.rr.com
and Bill Moore 262-785-9022, email environ1@sbcglobal.net.
Quetico Canoe Trip
Aug. 29 - Sept.7: Experience the life and
land of the French voyageurs, Ojibway Indians and British trappers on
this classic adventure into Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park.
Beginning from a base near Ely, MN, you’ll roam through the best of
Quetico’s granite wilderness with opportunities to fish, swim in
drinkable lakes, view ancient pictographs and wildlife, stargaze and
learn about this historic land. Experience is not required, but
good physical fitness and a positive attitude are essential.
Shared costs will be $475, including canoes and packs.
Reservation deposit: $100. Trip leader: Bill Moore. Call
262-785-9022 or email environ1@sbcglobal.net
Quetico Canoe Trip
Sept. 25 - Oct. 4: Join us on an
adventure into the timeless and pristine wilderness of Quetico
Provincial Park. Autumn’s quiet beauty rewards paddlers who
travel when the air is crisp and fall colors start. On our
journey, we paddle a shorter distance over our eight days in the land
of the voyageurs so you can spend more time sharing in opportunities to
fish, explore, relax and reflect. Experience is not a
requirement, but good physical fitness and a positive attitude are
essential. Shared costs will be $475, including canoes and
packs. Reservation deposit: $100. Trip leader: Eric
Uram. Call 608-233-4120 or email eric.uram@headwater.us.
Or click here to search
for a national Sierra Club outing
last update 13mar09