5/07/2021 Kickapoo River: Ontario to Rockton

5.07.2021:  Kickapoo River:  Ontario to Rockton (3.5’/mile)

Trip Number (21-4) This was the first time, in all my years of paddling, that I have ever been on the Kickapoo—always avoided it due to the bad crowding reputation.  While it is still true the “partying” really does exist, it is mostly on the weekend.  It you avoid the weekend, it is a beautiful trip.  Hence we are here on a Friday in early May with a temperature barely reaching 50° for the day and a water temperature of a cool 52°.  We did avoid the crowd.  The bad part of the trip, it was a very enjoyable 14 miles with an average speed of 3.8 mph. The scenery was special with constant outcrops of rock formations that will make the Wisconsin Dells envious.  We do need to do this trip again—on a weekday—with the rest of the crew that could not make it.  We did have some brisk and cold wind from time to time, but the river is so much lower than the land mass that most of the wind blows over your head and you are nicely protected in most areas.  This being the first trip, we do need to analyze the data a little more; the water stage (measured at LaFarge) was 3.65 feet with a 260 cfs rating.  I believe for future reference that it could only be slightly lower, so if the stage is below 3.5 ft, it would not be pleasant, so plan something different to paddle that day.  We did the trip in 3 hours and 39 minutes with only 25 minutes of stops.  There are very few options for resting spots, and you do need to paddle most of the time because there is always a turn coming—a very winding river.

Our wildlife for the day included 1 Eagle at the very beginning (no picture), several geese and goslings, along with ducks and young.  Steve reported a baby raccoon—no one else can verify that, but we do believe Steve.  This was a first experience with this river and we give it a 4 star rating, an enjoyable day, in spite of the weather.

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Our music selection for today was decided by:

Steve:  Take Me To The River

Me:  Dueling Banjos and Battle of New Orleans