From September 15 – 17, 2019, better prepared with a rain worthy tent, I resumed the solo trip (with my Golden Retriever) at Pine Street Bridge (Church Bridge near Marion) and stayed overnight just short of M-115 at a cabin in Old Log Resort & Campground. Total time = 7 hours 19 minutes. Moving time = 6 hours 24 minutes. Distance = 17.08 miles. One to two obstacles such as downed trees or log jams.
Continued from M-115 Bridge, from the Old Log Resort & Campground to Evart and stayed at the Evart Riverside Park on the West side of the river using a much better tent. It did not rain! Total time = 8 hours 0 minutes. Moving time = 6 hours 24 minutes. Distance = 17.01 miles. There were no obstacles such as downed trees or log jams.
Finished this portion of the trip from the Evart park/campground to North End park in Big Rapids. Total time = 9 hours 4 minutes. Moving time = 8 hours 24 minutes. Distance = 30.1 miles. There were no obstacles such as downed trees or log jams. This last stretch was the most miles I have ever covered in one day and was fun with all of the rapids, stones, and views.
On several day trips, I have paddled tandem from North End Park in Big Rapids to River’s Bend Bluff and further down to the Roger’s Pond boat launch. It takes about three hours to do a typical trip from North End Park to River’s Bend Bluff. Add another hour to the Roger’s Pond Boat Launch.
I plan to continue the river trip by skipping all of the dams and ponds and entering the river below the Croton Dam. From their, the plan is to solo paddle (with my Golden Retriever) all of the way to Muskegon Lake . This portion of the trip is planned for May 2021.
In my research for this upcoming paddle, paddle times are hard to find on the lower Muskegon River. The book “Canoeing Michigan Rivers” by Jerry Dennis & Craig Date provides ranges of times. In most cases, it takes the upper end of what times they provide. What is missing are paddle times between Roger’s Pond, Hardy Pond, and Croton Pond. Also missing are times further down river from Maple Island Road Bridge near Bridgeton to Muskegon Lake. There is a map that I included in this post from “Guy’s Kayaks” out of Muskegon, MI.
I plan to update this post to include all times after the next portion of the trip so others can better plan if choosing the same route closer to Muskegon, MI.
