Kishwaukee River w/Mackinaw Canoe Club

Date(s):  April 22, 2018
Leader: Jeff Fitch
Co-Leader:  Dave Watts
Location:  Kishwaukee River - Baumann Park to Atwood Park
Skill Level:  Beginner
Category:  Paddling (This is a joint paddling trip between MCC & PSC)
Details: Be at Baumann Park (Cherry Valley) early and unloaded @ 9am.

Put In location Baumann Park 101 Walnut St. Cherry Valley, Illinois 61016 Seth Atwood Park

Take Out: Seth Atwood Park 2685 New Milford School Rd. Rockford, Illinois 61109

Call my number 309-256-2597 if running late, Jeff Fitch

• What to bring
Drinking water for the day, Shore lunch and snacks, small first aid kit, Sunscreen, Bug spray and your PFD, boat and gear. A dry bag with a change of clothes is recommended. April can still have cool water temps so I'd avoid wearing cotton clothes and stick with poly wicking sports type materials or fleece. This is a scenic river with many photo opportunities so a camera is always good to have. As always, I ask respectfully that everyone please properly wear a life preserver aka PFD. We will have a point and a sweep boat for safety and I ask that everyone stays in between them to keep the group close in the event someone capsizes so we can quickly respond to them.

• More Information

The Kishwaukee (Potowatomi name meaning "River of Sycamore") is a beautiful river! The Potowatomi used the big trees to make dugout canoes. The Kish is not a "beginner" river but is more suited for someone who has had some experience on lakes and slow moving rivers with basic boat handling skills. For those who possess these skills it will be a fun day! It has easy, quiet tranquil sections and some sections with riffles and turns that move right along at a fun pace. The I39 bridge is quite a sight from the river as you pass under it. This section passes through a deep wooded gorge. It is personally one of my favorite rivers in Illinois. You can expect a casual pace that allows time for pictures and pure enjoyment of the day.