This video is a Day 1 paddle of the Michigan Inland Waterway. The Michigan Inland Waterway is a tract of water that stretches across the lower peninsula of Michigan and through a waterway, nearly connects Lake Michigan to Lake Huron. It is shy by 2.5 miles from Conley, MI to the shores of Lake Michigan. It is a combination of lakes, rivers, and locks. Conley located on Crooked Lake is the western most location. A paddle through Crooked Lake and into the Crooked River eventually reveals the lock on Crooked River. The Crooked River enters the 17,120 acre expanse of Burt Lake. Burt Lake is the ninth largest lake counting the great lakes that touch Michigan. From Burt Lake, the Indian River makes its way through the community of Indian River and under I-75 eventually entering Mullet Lake. This 16,630 acre makes it the tenth largest in Michigan with Burt and Mullet being almost identical in size. From Mullet Lake, the Cheboygan River continues the journey. In the community of Cheboygan, another lock is needed and finally, the river empties into Lake Huron.
My friend Fred and I decided to take on the challenge of paddling the Michigan Inland Waterway. For paddlers, you would want to start at Conway since the water moves from west to east through the Crooked, the Indian, and the Cheboygan Rivers. The Crooked River that begins at Crooked Lake has a lock that costs $10 to use and makes a slight adjustment to the water level. Then via the Crooked River, it empties into Burt Lake where at the south end of this lake, the Indian River begins. The Indian River empties into Mullet Lake on its southwest corner. At the northern tip of Mullet Lake, the Cheboygan River begins. In the middle of the city of Cheboygan, another lock that costs $6 and lowers your boat substantially, at least 10 feet to the Lake Huron level.
Fred and I tandem paddled a Mad River Revelation canoe. This trip was done in May 2023. The winds over Memorial Day weekend were strong and we had some difficulty with wind and waves in Burt and Mullet Lakes.
Here are the links if interested in doing a similar trip. Click below:
Check out the video below and thank you!
