{"id":5819,"date":"2021-05-09T19:11:11","date_gmt":"2021-05-10T00:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/billheinz.net\/?p=5819"},"modified":"2021-10-05T12:31:10","modified_gmt":"2021-10-05T17:31:10","slug":"5-07-2021-kickapoo-river-ontario-to-rockton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/billheinz.net\/?p=5819","title":{"rendered":"5\/07\/2021 Kickapoo River: Ontario to Rockton"},"content":{"rendered":"

5.07.2021:\u00a0 Kickapoo River:\u00a0 Ontario to Rockton (3.5\u2019\/mile)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trip Number (21-4) <\/strong>This was the first time, in all my years of paddling, that I have ever been on the Kickapoo\u2014always avoided it due to the bad crowding reputation.\u00a0 While it is still true the \u201cpartying\u201d really does exist, it is mostly on the weekend.\u00a0 It you avoid the weekend, it is a beautiful trip.\u00a0 Hence we are here on a Friday in early May with a temperature barely reaching 50\u00b0 for the day and a water temperature of a cool 52\u00b0.\u00a0 We did avoid the crowd.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 We do need to do this trip again\u2014on a weekday\u2014with the rest of the crew that could not make it.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 We did the trip in 3 hours and 39 minutes with only 25 minutes of stops.\u00a0 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\u2014a very winding river.<\/p>\n

Our wildlife for the day included 1 Eagle at the very beginning (no picture), several geese and goslings, along with ducks and young.\u00a0 Steve reported a baby raccoon\u2014no one else can verify that, but we do believe Steve.\u00a0 This was a first experience with this river and we give it a 4 star rating, an enjoyable day, in spite of the weather.<\/p>\n

To watch the video click the arrow and then enlarge the screen with the icon in the lower right of the screen.\u00a0 To get back to this page just shrink the page back to normal.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

When viewing the still pictures below, click on them and they will also enlarge and then move through the selection with the arrow on your computer.\u00a0 Enjoy!!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Our music selection for today was decided by:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Steve:\u00a0 Take Me To The River<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Me:\u00a0 Dueling Banjos and Battle of New Orleans<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n