I consider myself still new at planning trips like this. I started doing these outdoor activities in 2018. Now, in 2022, I am 57 at the time of writing this post and there is still so much to learn.
My first step in planning a paddling trip on an unknown river is to read whatever is available. For Michigan, the state that I reside in, there is a good book called “Canoeing Michigan Rivers” by Jerry Dennis & Craig Date. Click this link for the paperback version from Amazon. In addition, there are forums like paddling.com or others that may have documented people’s experiences paddling sections or the entire river of interest. Sometimes, there is nothing to be found and it may be an opportunity for you to become the person that explores the river and then documents it on-line for the first time!
To find a river that has never been explored in these times is a difficult task. Adam Shoalts, a Canadian adventurer, tried this around 2014 and had great difficulty locating a “no name” river that had never been documented and potentially, never explored. What he found were several undocumented waterfalls and no signs of civilization along one such river. The bugs, weather, grueling overland and water travel, and dangerous animals and conditions would make most people miserable. Adam Shoalts seem to flourish in this environment. If you want to know more, check out his book here.
After completing the book reading and/or web research, my second step is to use mapping software like Gaia GPS and exploit the route and waypoint tools to help trip plan. For me, it is important that the mapping tool is something that you can work with easily during the planning stage and then access the planning information where there may be no cellular service. Keep in mind that even without cellular service, smartphones can still utilize GPS data and work perfectly fine with mapping software like Gaia GPS.
The second step is to select the most useful map layers that display relevant locations and information. Partnering that with a good map of satellite imagery, and you are on your way to a good planning experience.
The third step is to mark important waypoints long the river route you are planning to paddle. I start out by marking in and out points such as parks, boat launches, camping areas, stores, bathrooms, and any other resources that are useful when in the outdoors. I use symbol icons that correspond to that resource so when I am paddling, a quick look reveals the resource type without needing to read the label. Sometimes, when placing waypoints, the map layers in the mapping software does not reveal details that could be useful. For example, there may be a park or campground that is not displayed on a layer being used. On another browser tab, I have Google Maps that I can quickly switch to to help me find additional information. When I do locate something useful, right clicking the mouse provides an option to copy the GPS coordinates. Then, switching back to Gaia GPS, those coordinates can be pasted in the search box at the top of the screen and the resulting dropdown and a click will go to that location on the map. Placing a waypoint then completes the task. Also, I have found the satellite imagery in Google Maps in much more detailed and clearer than in Gaia GPS.
The fourth step is determining viable stopping points. Whether locations are needed for a shore lunch or dinner, or a multiday paddle requiring an overnight camp, this is where the waypoint information in the earlier step helps. For overnight locations, a search for campgrounds is a good idea. The Gaia Topo (feet) map layer reveals recreational.gov campsites. Clicking on a campsite icon identifies the site and reveals the website that will take you directly into the site info. This feature is quite handy. If campgrounds or campsites are not available, disbursed camping is almost always an option. For disbursed camp locations, I rely heavily on Google Maps for the satellite imagery detail and public land designations. When all there is is private land, sometimes there are islands on the river that can be used. Use care for any private property signage.
The fifth step is somewhat in conjunction with step four. Specifically overnight locations and dividing the number of days paddling helps determine distances needed for each day along with starting and ending travel days on land. Routes help determine the total distance of the entire paddle and a breakdown of each day. The route distances can then be used to isolate locations of viable campgrounds and disbursed campsite locations. For example, on this trip, three days are set aside for paddling. That means we need to locate two campsite locations. With about 35 miles of total river to paddle, we need to average 11.7 miles per day. Also, the travel day to the river entry point and the travel day after exiting the river need to be part of the computation. These travel days have drive time, staging, and packing times to consider. For this trip, day 1 has a 9.6 mile paddle day while day 2 is 11.4 miles. The last day is 14.5 miles. These distances worked out nicely to utilize campgrounds on the river. Not a perfect average each day, but ideal for a slower start day and a longer end day with great campground locations.
When building routes, so far the map layers that I have used do not support automatic routing of river paths. Rivers unlike roads, do not seem to have GPS data loaded in the map for automatic routing. My experience has been that rivers need a point-to-point route building approach. Even with this labor intensive approach, the resulting data of distances and elevation changes is necessary information to know.
Not really a step, but a helpful tip. On the map centrally located to all of the routes, I place a waypoint that I add summary information. This helps to breakdown the days, miles, route colors, and anything else helpful to display. In order for this to work, waypoint labels needs to be turned on under the “Overlays” left side menu on the website. Also, all of the information needs to be typed into the top blank of the waypoint label that is to the right of the symbol icon. Waypoint description information is not displayed and therefore does not work for this uncustomary use.
The sixth and final step is after all of the waypoints and routes have been completed, an itinerary is developed. I use OneNotes for this. If lodging or campground locations have contact information, reservation numbers, pricing, this is a good place to record this information. Break down the times of days and approximate the best that you can often times reveal opportunities or additional things that need consideration.
Though I have a paid premium subscription to Gaia GPS, I did all of the work in the YouTube video below using the free version. If you have any questions about this or any other article or video, please use my contact email at the top of this website. Or, feel free to comment on this post or on the the YouTube video.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and the consideration of watching the video. Until next time, take care and happy paddling!
