Namekagon -- > St. Croix descent
 

Hi,
Has anyone paddled the entire length of the Namekagon River in
northwest Wisconsin down to the St. Croix and points beyond?

I thought it would be a good multi-day trip next year. I've paddled
parts of the Namekagon and the St. Croix a few times (grew up in
Stillwater on the banks of the St. Croix), but I'm curious about how
long this might take, etc.

Cheers.

sorry. stupid software screwed it up so posted three times. anyway,
happy paddling!

I've paddled much of the St. Croix from Interstate (The Dalles) down to
William O"Brian State Park and it takes 6 to 9 hours depending on the wind.
The current isn't strong in the summer and even allows for upstream
travel...though the backwaters become isolated from the main river. An
excellent book to buy is "Paddling Northern Wisconsin" by Mike Svob. Since
the St. Croix IS the border...he covers both the Namekagon and both sides
(WI&MN) of the St Croix in minute detail...lots of other trip ideas.

"the dharma bum" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi,
Has anyone paddled the entire length of the Namekagon River in
northwest Wisconsin down to the St. Croix and points beyond?

I thought it would be a good multi-day trip next year. I've paddled
parts of the Namekagon and the St. Croix a few times (grew up in
Stillwater on the banks of the St. Croix), but I'm curious about how
long this might take, etc.

Cheers.

I can't vouch for it, but check out
http://www.travelbygps.com/guides/st_croix/river.php

"the dharma bum" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi,
Has anyone paddled the entire length of the Namekagon River in
northwest Wisconsin down to the St. Croix and points beyond?

I thought it would be a good multi-day trip next year. I've paddled
parts of the Namekagon and the St. Croix a few times (grew up in
Stillwater on the banks of the St. Croix), but I'm curious about how
long this might take, etc.

Cheers.

On 7 Dec 2004 14:44:25 -0800, "the dharma bum"
wrote:

Hi,
Has anyone paddled the entire length of the Namekagon River in
northwest Wisconsin down to the St. Croix and points beyond?

I thought it would be a good multi-day trip next year. I've paddled
parts of the Namekagon and the St. Croix a few times (grew up in
Stillwater on the banks of the St. Croix), but I'm curious about how
long this might take, etc.

Cheers.

I did it from County Road K (that's below the last dam on the
Namekagon) to Wild River State Park several years ago. Took me from
late Sunday afternoon to late Thursday afternoon, but I got cold and
rained on and miserable one day, so I didn't enjoy myself, just kept
on paddling to keep warm for about a 30 mile day. The rest of the
time the current did almost all the work and I slept late and just
relaxed.

Don't stop at the very inviting looking spot at Danbury unless you
want to pay for putting in your boat. I understand the price is a bit
outrageous. I believe there's a spot you can put in on the other side
of the bridge, called Riverside Park, for free and then walk across
the bridge if you want to see such civilization as Danbury offers.
It'll be your last chance for fast food until after takeout.

It's an easy run in a whitewater kayak. A few class I rapids (if
that), some rock gardens and two ledges. The book recommended gives
good advice. There are maps you can get from the DNR in MN or WI that
aren't great, but are good enough. Lots of campsites. Do not camp on
the MN side where it's State Park land (there are two very long State
Parks at spots there) unless there's a camping sign. They're a bit
fussy about that.

Late in the year I understand you may have to do a lot of dragging to
get through on the 'Kagon if the water is low. I only dragged once,
to get to a site that was apparently meant for higher water use, but I
was in a Perception Dancer, so she could about float on dew. I don't
know what a canoe or v keeled 'yak would be like. One of my buddies
day trips on it and says it's fine, but I don't know how much of it
he's done.

It's lovely. Particulary the 'Kagon. I want to do it again some time.

Give some thought to doing the whole length of the 'Croix, too. I
understand the upper part of it (above where it joins the 'Kagon) is
as good and may have a bit more rapids, if that's one of your things.

They now have a rule that you can't have any glass on the river, as in
bottles or jars. Something else may be prohibited, but I can't recall
what at the moment.

Cyli
r.bc: vixen. Minnow goddess. Speaker to squirrels.
Often taunted by trout. Almost entirely harmless.

http://www.visi.com/~cyli
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