Trip Reports from 2004-2005.    Current trips reported here.

Reports of trips sponsored by the Prairie State Canoeists

Date: 7 August 2005
Weather: Clear, 70's, low humidity
Body of water: Kishwaukee River
Location: Cherry Valley to Atwood
Leader: Bill Kessler
Co-Leader: Al Donaldson
Water level: medium
Time on water: 3.5 hours
Length of trip: 10 miles
Number of craft: 16
Number of people: 23
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: I-90 toward Rockford. Take the Rockford/Rte 20 exit after milepost 61. Go east on Rte 20 a short distance and turn right at the light onto Mill Street, then left on State and right into Bauman Park.
Takeout directions: From Cherry Valley, take Mill Road west to Perryville Road, then south about 4 miles to Blackhaewk Road. Westabout 7 miles to 11th Street (Rte 251). Go south about 1 mile, entrance to Atwood Park on left. About 16 miles, 40 minutes round trip.
Difficulty of carshift: Easy
Time for carshift: 40
Names of carshifters: Donaldson, Kessler, Lindblade, Rigg
Special contacts: None
Report: After months of drought, the Kish was too low to paddle on the Wednesday before this trip, but two heavy storms on Thursday and Friday dumped enough water to make this a fine river trip. Nine of the 23 paddlers were new members making their first trip with PSC. Welcome to Bob McCurdy, Lee Butler, Morris Applebaum, Terry and Jennifer Eisenbraun, Ted Sanders, Barry Hendrix, Ralp[h Tucker, Christian Rigg. The Kish was in fine form, with a few strainers and drops requiring maneuvering. We were accompanied by a family of Osprey and a flock of green herons, and someone spied a bald eagle. The usual great blues, some large turtles, fishermen, sunbathers and tubers kept us company.
Name: Bill Kessler
Email: kslr@aol.com

Date: 7/21/05
Weather: Sunny
Body of water: Kishwaukee
Location: Cherry Valley
Leader: Glenn Jensen
Water level: low
Time on water: 5hrs
Length of trip: 8.5 miles
Number of craft: 8
Number of people: 9
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: Cherry Valley at Baumann Park.
Takeout directions: Atwood Park
Difficulty of carshift: Moderate
Time for carshift: 40mn
Names of carshifters: 2
Special contacts: none
Report: Normally a trip that has many paddlers, but some feared the Kish was too low and stayed home. We did not have many problems and if the paddler chose the correct channel, scraping seldom happened. Some NIU students provided entertainment and beer by occasionally capsizing and releasing the cotents of their coolers into the river. Although we tried to warn these neophytes about dangerous strainers, they bragged they could manage with superior paddling "skills" but never displayed them when it was time to do so. We took advantage of their sudden hospitality especially during lunch. Our trip ended under a roasting sun. Thank you to our carshifters.
Name: Glenn Jensen
Email: zymugyteacher@yahoo.com

Date: Aug 13, 2005
Weather: overcast, 70 degrees, slight breeze
Body of water: Pecatonica River
Location: Brewster Landing to McConnell Road Bridge
Leader: Lee Butler
Co-Leader: Joe Ginger
Water level: low
Time on water: 2 hr 30 min
Length of trip: 6.81 miles
Number of craft: 6
Number of people: 6
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: Brewster Landing is 1 mile east of Winslow on Winslow Road. Or, 5 miles west of Rte 26 on Winslow Road. Look for the small Shelter House Roof on the south side of the road. A small "Brewster Landing" road sign marks the site. There is a cement boat ramp at this location.
Takeout directions: McConnell Road Bridge is located ¼ mile west of McConnell on McConnell Road Bridge. The lane and grassland on the southeast side of this bridge is public and owned by Stephenson County. The take-out site is a piece of carpet 300 feet beyond the bridge, river left.
Difficulty of carshift: easy
Time for carshift: 20 min
Names of carshifters: Lee Butler & Toni Ginger
Special contacts: car shuttle instructions;
from Brewster Landing-PUT-IN to West McConnell Road Bridge-TAKE-OUT
1. Turn right onto Winslow Road, go about 1 ½ mile to North Hulbert Road.
2. Turn right onto North Hulbert Road, go about 5 miles to West McConnell Road.
3. Turn right onto West McConnell Road, go about ½ mile to West McConnell Road Bridge.
4. Turn left before the Bridge to the Parking Area and 'carpeted!' boat ramp
5. The 'carpeted!' boat ramp is about 300 feet downstream from the bridge on the left.

From West McConnell Road Bridge Parking Area-TAKE-OUT to Brewster Landing-PUT-IN
1. Turn right onto West McConnell Road, go about ½ mile to North Hulbert Road.
2. Turn left onto North Hulbert Road, go about 5 miles to Winslow Road.
3. Turn left onto Winslow Road, go about 1 ½ miles to Brewster Landing on the left.

note: The land next to the river at Brewster Landing and West McConnell Road Bridge is owned by Stephenson County and open for public 'day' use.
Report: There were only 6 people and 6 boats on this trip. The weather was threatening and took real courage to travel that far to paddle for 2 hours.
Gas prices, regular, were very high, $2.60 in Freeport and $2.80 in Chicago area.
Prior to the paddle waiting for the crowd to show up, I walked all over Brewster Landing picking up (a few) plastic bottles, trash, and alum cans. The West McConnell Road Bridge looked to be clean of liter. Brewster Landing is the only usable cement public boat ramp in Stephenson County.
We launched at 1:00pm. One/fourth mile downstream was our first challenge. The river turned sharpley right and fast. The outside curve was shallow. You had to stay on the inside of the curve. Everyone made it thru. From there on, it was smooth paddling. There were a few ripples at the old Fisher Mill Dam about 6 miles downstream. The water depth at the ripples was 18 inches, measured with my paddle. Al and Joe retrieved a large plastic barrel from the brush and sent it free to float downstream. Al and Lee rescued a tire with rim from a snag and sent it free to float downstream. Lee said that this tire was sent free south of Browntown on the June 27 paddle! We talked, shared stories and had a good time. The river banks are mostly mud and steep. The river is 50 to 100 feet wide and 3 to 5+ feet deep.
Paddling is great exercise. It's a good thing.

For more info, see 'trip 1' (7 miles) at www.paddlethepec.com
Browntown, Wi to Brewster Landing, via the Pecatonica River, is 12 miles

Name: Lee Butler
Email: lbutler9@juno.com

Date: July 30, 2005
Weather: mid 80's and sunny
Body of water: Sugar River
Location: Nelson Rd. to Two Rivers
Leader: Al Donaldson
Co-Leader: Melinda Tury
Water level: medium
Time on water: 8 hours
Length of trip: 16 miles
Number of craft: 12
Number of people: 13
Water rating: advanced beginner
Put-in directions: Nelson Road at Sugar River park, Wis. I90 to Beloit 51 - 51 west to Nelson Road - South on Nelson to park just past the Sugar River bridge on east side of the road
Takeout directions: Take out #1 - Colored Sands park on Yale Bridge Road in Illinois
Take out #2 - Two Rivers Park on Harrison Road in Illinois
Difficulty of carshift: none
Time for carshift: #1-15 min. #2- 20 minutes
Names of carshifters: Barb Nyden and Becky Sells
Special contacts: none
Report: It was a wonderful trip down the river with beautiful weather - mid 80's, a light wind, and sunny skies. Lots of turtles, green and great blue herons, kingfishers, hawks, vultures, and fish jumping. Mid afternoon had everyone swimming at a sand bar rest stop where we were joined by a group of canoeist partying. One of their dogs decided he would rather go home with us and had to be bodily removed from Ana's canoe! We even had a rather large otter swimming with us that then got into a yellow kayak and paddled the rest of the way down the river! Imagine that! We all arrived at the take out pleasantly tired after a beautiful day, loaded up and went on home.
Name: Melinda Tury
Email: mtury@sbcglobal.net

Date: 7/23/05 & 7/24/05
Weather: Rainy & hot
Body of water: Baraboo River
Location: Baraboo, WI
Leader: Steve LaPorte
Co-Leader: Ken Cole
Water level: low
Time on water: 7 hours
Length of trip: 18 miles
Number of craft: 7
Number of people: 9
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: North Freedom Park on County Hwy PF
Takeout directions: Luebke Landing on County Hwy W
Difficulty of carshift: Easy
Time for carshift: Half hour per shift
Names of carshifters: Doug Spitzer
Special contacts:
Report: This trip was an unusual one, but nobody complained.

The weather forecast for the weekend was high 90's both days. The river level was low and slow (200 cfs). Despite that, everyone was up for a weekend of paddling.

Saturday, we launched from North Freedom. We were barely out of sight of the put-in when it began to rain. It wasn't a serious rain (yet), but it continued intermittantly all morning and into the afternoon. (Note to self: Even if there is no rain forecasted, put a small tarp in the dump bag.) At about 2:00, it all broke loose. The sky turned black as slate and it started to rain hard enough to rate a mention in the Bible. When the lightning got too close for comfort, we got off the river and took shelter in a farmer's tool shed. After about fifteen minutes, we got back on the river, nonr the worse for the experience, and finished the trip at Haskins Park without incident. AS for the upper 90's, the rain kept it in the upper 70's.

On Sunday, we launched from Haskins Park and paddled down to Luebke Landing, with a stop for ice cream at the Boo restaurant. The river was up a little due to the rain. The first Mile or so was pleasant class I riffles. The riffles soon gave way to a gentle, steady and that carried us back into a meandering, rural section of river. There were enough deadfalls to make it interesting, but not enough to be a problem.

Wildlife sightings were rare due to the weather, but they included a bald eagle, several herons, some kingfishers and cliff swallows and the everpresent dairy herd.

A good time was had by all.
Name: Steve LaPorte
Email: stevelaporte@earthlink.net

Date: 7/16/05 & 7/17/05
Weather: Hot, sunny, dry
Body of water: Upper Iowa River
Location: Kendallville, Ia
Leader: Steve LaPorte
Co-Leader: Ken Cole
Water level: medium
Time on water: 6 hours
Length of trip: 17 miles
Number of craft: 4
Number of people: 5
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: Iowa Rt 139 at the Upper Iowa bridge
Takeout directions: County Rd. W20 (Bluffton Rd.) at the Upper Iowa bridge
Difficulty of carshift: Very easy
Time for carshift: 40 min
Names of carshifters: Steve LaPorte & Gerry Mueller
Special contacts:
Report: The good news is that the Upper Iowa is a beautiful river. If you like the bluffs and pallisades on the Kickapoo, you will love them on the Upper Iowa. If you like the clear, cool spring water on the Mecan, it's better on the Upper Iowa. If you like easy access, ample parking, a good current and magnificent scenery, the Upper Iowa is for you.

The bad news is that everybody within a radius of three hundred miles knows it too, and there are plenty of liveries supplying them with boats.

Seriously, the Upper Iowa is a real gem, but on a summer weekend, it will be choked with testoserone charged twenty somethings, all drinking beer, shouting at each other and playing boom boxes. The only wildlife sightings you are likely to see are homo intoxis and the closely related buffoonus drunkus.

We agreed that we would like to go back again, but off season. Due to the long drive (six hours from Chicago's west suburbs) we think it would be good to do it on a three day weekend either before Memorial Day or after Labor Day.

Don't let this turn you off - the Upper Iowa is one of the prettiest rivers I can remember. You just shouldn't do it on a summer weekend.
Name: Steve LaPorte
Email: stevelaporte@earthlink.net

Date: 7/2/005
Weather: Ideal
Body of water: Sugar River
Location: Southern Wisconsin
Leader: Glenn Jensen
Co-Leader: Al Donaldson
Water level: low
Time on water: 5hrs
Length of trip: 8 miles
Number of craft: 9
Number of people: 9
Water rating: advanced beginner
Put-in directions: Take 90 to WI81 and turn south on Nelson road. Trip begins at Sugar River Park and Canoe Landing
Takeout directions: Colored Sands Forest Preserve.
Difficulty of carshift: Easy
Time for carshift: 15 mn
Names of carshifters: Barbara Nyden
Special contacts: None
Report: The Sugar River was bittersweet because of a myriad of strainers and deadfall that forced us to zigzag from bank to bank. The low water level added to the trip's difficulty. Occasionaly we had to get out and pull our crafts over sandbars. Ideal weather conditions made this a splendid day. Few birds were sighted but many fish could be seen in the clear water. A sandbar midway through the trip made a good lunch stop. The eight kayaks and one canoe on this trip might portend the future of PSC(&K).
Name: Glenn Jensen
Email: zymurgyteacher@yahoo.com

Date: July 3, 2005
Weather: Good, sun and clouds
Body of water: Sugar River
Location: Yale Bridge Road
Leader: George Stenitzer
Water level: low
Time on water: 3:10
Length of trip: 3:30
Number of craft: 8
Number of people: 8
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: Take I-90 west toward Rockford, take the Rockton Road exit (#3) and make a left on to Rockton Road, go through Rockton, cross the Pecatonica River, then take a right on Forest Preserve Road, a right at Hauley Road and a left to Yale Bridge Road to the Sugar River.
Takeout directions: Take out at Two Rivers Forest Preserve (on the Pecatonica River). To return to Chicago: proceed south on Shirland Road, make a left on to 75 (Freeport Road) east, make a right to Meridian Road south, make a left on to US 20 east and proceed to I 90.

Difficulty of carshift: easy
Time for carshift: 20 min
Names of carshifters: Gail Jacobs, Tom Lindblade, Jeff Reuter, Susan Haworsen, Karen Frieden, Sharon Colht, Steve Shapiro, George Stenitzer
Special contacts: Restrooms at both put=in and take-out.
Report: Nice water, nice day. Saw hawk, great blue heron, woodchuck. Nice lunch stop at sandbar river left about 4 miles into the 7-mile trip. One low spot but no strainers that currently require portaging on this stretch as they do upstream. USGS gage at Brodhead WI today was at 220 cfs, 0.67' height.
Name: George Stenitzer
Email: geo4747@yahoo.com

Date: 2005-06-26
Weather: Ideal/roasting
Body of water: Dupage River
Location: Shorewood
Leader: Glenn Jensen
Water level: low
Time on water: 5hrs
Length of trip: 10 miles
Number of craft: 8
Number of people: 10
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: Hammel Woods in Shorewood adjecent to route 59.
Takeout directions: Channahon State Park near route 6.
Difficulty of carshift: Easy
Time for carshift: 40mn
Names of carshifters: 6
Special contacts: none
Report: Although the Du Page was low in the midst on this historical drought, we paddled the entire trip with few scrapes. Only once was it necessary to get out. The ninety degree weather was tolerable until the last two miles when we paddled in an oven. Lunch was ideal. Most paddlers brought chairs and the folding picnic table proved to be a great addition. Some did want to leave! But as the train passed through, it promtped us to start the next part of the trip. Many paddlers enjoyed going through the Du Page's wild meanders south of Shepley Road. Special thanks to Ken Cole for sweeping and assisting new paddlers.
Name: Glenn Jensen
Email: zymurgyteacher@yahoo.com

Date: 06/27/2005
Weather: Hot and hazy, light southeast wind
Body of water: Sugar River
Location: Nelson Road to Yale Bridge Road
Leader: Al Donaldson
Water level: low
Time on water: 4 hours
Length of trip: 8 miles
Number of craft: 6
Number of people: 7
Water rating: advanced beginner
Put-in directions: From Beloit:

WI 81 West to Nelson Rd. (Approx. 16 miles.)
South on Nelson Rd. across Sugar River Bridge to County Park on lefy (Approx. 2.8 miles.)
Takeout directions: Nelson Road South to State Line Rd. (1.5 miles)
State Line Rd. East (Becomes wheeler Road and contains several right-angle curves) to Yale Bridge Rd. (2.8 miles)
Yale Bridge Rd. East 1.8 miles across Sugar River bridge. Take out is on left just past the bridge.
Difficulty of carshift: minimal
Time for carshift: 20 miutes
Names of carshifters: Bill Kessler, Gail Jacobs, Becky Sells
Special contacts:
Report: At a river flow of 350 cfs at the Brodhead gage, the level was low but not problematic. At a flow of less than this (200 cfs?) some of the obstacles would become quite stressful for some paddlers, and would not be recommended for beginners or those of limited mobility.
Name: Al Donaldson
Email: alandonaldson@sprintmail.com

Date: 06/25/2005
Weather: Hot and sunny: mostly calm
Body of water: Kishwaukee
Location: Cherry Valley to Atwood Park
Leader: Al Donaldson
Water level: low
Time on water: 5 hours
Length of trip: 9 miles
Number of craft: 18
Number of people: 30
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: Route 20 East from Rockford
Mill Road S. to State St. in Cherry Valley
State St. E. across river to Walnut St.
Walnut St. S. to Baumann Park
Takeout directions: Shuttle Route: Baumann Park to Atwood Park

Exit Baumann Park and take Walnut St. Northeast to State St. (Stop Sign)
Take State St. to left over Kishwaukee bridge to Mill Rd. (Stop Sign)
Take Mill Rd. to left one and a half miles to Perryville Rd. (Stop Sign)
Take Perryville Road left (South) 3 miles to Blomberg Rd.
Take Blomberg Rd. right (West) one mile to Mulford Rd. (Stop Sign)
Take Mulford Rd. left (South) one half mile to Rotary Rd.
Take Rotary Rd. right (West)three and a half miles to Rydberg Rd. (Stop Sign)
Take Rydberg Rd. one half mile to Atwood Park entrance.
Turn right into Atwood Park (East) and drive about a half mile in to Larry's Landing (on the left.)
Parking is just beyond the landing and the suspension bridge.

Difficulty of carshift: minimal
Time for carshift: 40 minutes
Names of carshifters: John Ziegler, Becky Sells
Special contacts:
Report: River was flowing at 150 CFS (mean flow for this date: 550 CFS) This low floww caused an otherwise avoidable strainer at 4,5 miles (between Perryville and Mulford bridges) to become quite tempting --and hazardous. Some bottom scraping and boat dragging was required. Eagles seen on earlier trips did not show up, unfortunately.
Name: Al Donaldson
Email: alandonaldson@sprintmail.com

Date: May 30, 2005
Weather: Partly cloudy about 70 Deg
Body of water: Cedar Creek
Location: Jackson, WI
Leader: Joette Heckenbach
Co-Leader: Terry Heckenbach
Water level: low
Time on water: 5 hours
Length of trip: 5 hours
Number of craft: 5
Number of people: 6
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: From the south, take either I43 or US45 north past Milwaukee.
From I43 take State Hwy 60 exit at Grafton and go west about 10 miles.
From US45 take State Hwy 60 exit at Jackson and go east about 4 miles.
Take county Hwy G north just over 1/2 mile. The put-in is on the east side.
Takeout directions: From I43 take State Hwy 60 exit at Grafton and go west about 5 miles.
From US45 take State Hwy 60 exit at Jackson and go east about 9 miles.
At the 5 way stop light, take the first right north, Covered Bridge Road, just over 1 mile. The take-out is on the west side in Covered Bridge Park.
Difficulty of carshift: easy
Time for carshift: 20 min each way
Names of carshifters: Terry Heckenbach
Special contacts:
Report: The plan was to paddle the Milwaukee river, but it was very low. The alternative was Cedar Creek which was also low. If we had waited a day or two more without rain, the trip would have been cancelled. The trip started in the Jackson marsh; a scenic area with birds and grassy banks. We cut out one downfall, portaged over 2, and scraped bottom in a few more places. On the whole the water was adequate and we had cool breezes and a fine paddle.
Name: Terry Heckenbach
Email: jtnj@netwurx.net

Date: June 18, 2005
Weather: partly sunny - high in the upper 60's
Body of water: Salt Creek
Location: Graue Mill to Brezia Woods
Leader: Ray Ziemer
Co-Leader: Melinda Tury
Water level: low
Time on water: 4 1/2 hours
Length of trip: 6 miles
Number of craft: 11
Number of people: 14
Water rating: advanced beginner
Put-in directions: Parking lot for Graue Mill, Oakbrook, IL on the East side of the intersection of York and Spring Road
Takeout directions: York Road north to 31st street - East on 31st to LaGrange Road - North on LaGrange approx. one mile to the Brezia Woods entrance on right - end of the parking lot
Difficulty of carshift: none
Time for carshift: 30 minutes total
Names of carshifters: Special thanks to Mary for the return to put in shuttle
Special contacts: A special thanks goes out to Debbie Gayon, director and naturalist for Fullersburg Woods Environmental Education Center of DuPage Co. Forest Preserve District for presenting the stream monitoring workshop before our paddle.
Report: Our trip began with a workshop on stream monitoring that lasted for approx. one hour. After a brief introduction we all put on boots, grabbed a d-frame net, and head out to the riffle zones below the dam to gather samples of benthic macro invertebrates. We then identified out "catch" and filled in our recording sheets. We came up with a high "fair" to low "good" water quality rating for Salt Creek. Surprisingly, very few "poor" rating macro invertebrates were found. After a short car shift we hit the water - six kayaks and five canoes at approx. 11 am. The water level was extremely low with lots of scraping, dragging, portaging, and slow going. Our "short" trip that should have taken about two and a half hours ended up taking up four and a half! Three canoes and one kayak tipped over to add to the experience (No, it wasn't me, but I came darned close one time!) Over all, most of the eight members and six guests had a very enjoyable time. Although traffic could be heard most of the time, the river itself traveled through forest preserves the entire way making you feel you were way out in the country. The long carry from the take out to our cars was made much easier by a group of young guys who took pity on all of us and helped tote the boats from the river and helped get them all on our cars.
Name: Melinda Tury
Email: mtury@sbcglobal.net

Date: 6/12/05
Weather: Low 80s, mostly cloudy
Body of water: Des Plaines River; cleanup
Location: Wadsworth to Gowe Beach
Leader: Paul Klonowski
Water level: low
Time on water: 7 hours
Length of trip: 8.5hrs
Number of craft: 5
Number of people: 5
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: On Wadsworth Road, east of US Rte 41. A lrage sign says "Wadsworth Road Canoe Launch" -- can't miss it.
Takeout directions: From the Tri State Tollway, exit east on Grand Avenue (IL Rte 132). Turn south (right) on O'Plaine Rd; go 100 feet to McClure road, turn west (right); go to end of road, which is the parking lot by the launch.
Difficulty of carshift: easy
Time for carshift: 20min
Names of carshifters: Wilbert Stroeve
Special contacts: None
Report: A pair of sandhill cranes were walking around the marsh just south of the put-in; 5-6 great blue herons; tree swallows, barn swallows, killdeer, least sandpipers, green heron, common grackles, red-winged blackbirds, and a small mink or muskrat. Lunch stop at Gurnee Woods Pond, where several people were fishing. We spent much of the time picking up trash and clearing safe passageways through fallen trees. There are still 3 logjams in this section of river, which are far too large for us to clear; watch for poison ivy on the portages. The Forest Preserve District will be notified of the exact locations of these logjams, including GPS coordinates.
Name: Paul Klonowski
Email: pklonowski@comcast.net

Date: May 21, 2005
Weather: mostly cloudy
Body of water: Sugar River
Location: WI
Leader: John Ziegler
Co-Leader: Marilyn Ziegler
Water level: low
Time on water: 4 1/2 hours
Length of trip: 8.5 miles
Number of craft: 12
Number of people: 17
Water rating: advanced beginner
Put-in directions: From Janesville take RT 11 west to Brodhead. Turn right (N) on RT 104 and take this to Cnty C. Turn left (W) on Cnty C and follow this to the river. The put in is on the NE corner. Car shift is at 9:30.
Takeout directions: Take Cty C east to cty E and turn right. Follow this to rt. 59 and on into Albany where you turn right by the fire station to get to the city park.
Difficulty of carshift: easy
Time for carshift: 40 minutes
Names of carshifters: Rebecca, Carole, and Melinda
Special contacts:
Report: Trip Report for the Sugar River on May 21, 2005

We had a mixed group of some veteran paddlers and some fairly new club members. There were 6 canoes and 5 kayaks and everybody survived the day without dumping even though we had several downfalls to go around, over, or through. Many thanks to Al Donaldson for being lead boat and keeping us on course through the many possible turns and helping get all paddlers through the tight spots. Some of the wildlife spotted are: river otters; green heron; red tail hawk; snakes; and heard sand hill cranes.

Thanks to Rebecca and Carole for the car shift and to Melinda for driver return.

Name: John Ziegler
Email: canucamp@sbcglobal.net

Date: June6 ,2005
Weather: Warm
Body of water: Des Plaines River
Location: Libertyville-Lincolnshire
Leader: Andy Cocallas/Joan Taylor
Water level: low
Time on water: 3 hours
Length of trip: 4 hours
Number of craft: 8
Number of people: 9
Water rating: advanced beginner
Put-in directions: Rt. 176 to St Marys Rd.,south 1 block to Rockland road.West to fist street west of river.Turn left 1 block to Riverside Park.
Takeout directions: Rt. 22 to Riverside Rd.south to Londonberry,west to river.Park in parking lot.
Difficulty of carshift: None
Time for carshift: 25 min.
Names of carshifters: Seaby Bess
Special contacts:
Report: 9 paddlers enjoyed a clear,warm night on the river.Besides the lack of water which led us to manuver around two dams, it was a very peaceful night.The group was fun and upbeat even though it was very dark at times from the lack of a moon.Some Beavers slapping their tails at us and an ocasional Herring flying overhead.
Name: Andy Cocallas
Email: acocallas@sbcglobal.net

Date: 06/04/2005
Weather: Clear , followed by Thunderstorm
Body of water: Kish South Branch
Location: Kirkland
Leader: Al Donaldson
Co-Leader: Pam and Mark Skeels
Water level: low
Time on water: 3 -4 hours
Length of trip: 2 miles
Number of craft: 4
Number of people: 7
Water rating: intermediate
Put-in directions: Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve just Northwest of Kirkland, West of Kirkland Road.
Takeout directions: Not Applicable, as this was a "special permission" take out.
Difficulty of carshift: low
Time for carshift: 15 minutes
Names of carshifters: Pam Skeels, Melinda Tury
Special contacts: Not Applicable, as this was a "special permission" take out.
Report: The log jam crew met at 9:00 a.m. at Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve just Northwest of Kirkland. Present were Pam and Mark Skeels, Melinda Tury (Melinda, thanks for the shuttle help!), Merri and Mark Morrall, Randy Hermanson and Al Donaldson.

In a bright and fairly calm June morning, the crew launched three canoes and one kayak, carrying approximately enough lumberjack tools (both modern and "classic") to deforest the entire Northern Hemisphere. Some enterprising souls had gone down the section previously, clearing passages through the worst of the log jams, so the task of the crew was to make those cleared spots navigable and safe under varying river levels and to remove additional hazards.

After about three hours of extremely enjoyable cutting, tugging, wading, mud slogging, equipment repair and head-scratching, the crew had made the section down to McQueen Forest Preserve a bit more civilized. Mother Nature then rewarded the clean up crew with a little thunderstorm, making the take out (up a narrow, slightly muddy, very poison ivy infested and slick 40 degree hillside) a significant challenge. The Forest Preserve folks were kind enough to allow us access to the site by automobile, ensuring that the half mile portage back to the vehicles was not needed.

Name: Al Donaldson
Email: alandonaldson@sprintmail.com

Date: 6/4/05
Weather: warm & sunny - thunderstorms threatening
Body of water: DuPage River - Clean Up
Location: Plainfield to Caton Farm Rd.
Leader: Ray Ziemer
Water level: low
Time on water: 4
Length of trip: 5 mile
Number of craft: 4
Number of people: 4
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: From I-55 south - exit at Rte. 126, go west to 59. Take 59 south to Lockport st., west to James St. Turn left, then right on Vista Dr. & proceed to Electric Park.
Takeout directions: Back to Rte. 59, go south to Caton Farm Rd. Turn left and proceed about a mile to RIverside Parkway (frontage road immediately before overpass over I-55) and turn right. Follow road south to sign for Riverside Parkway Canoe Access.
Difficulty of carshift: Easy
Time for carshift: 15 minutes
Names of carshifters: Ray Ziemer, Ben Auliff
Special contacts: Coordinated clean-up with Conservation Foundation (Judy Fitchett: 630-428-4500)
Report: In spite of fears about low water levels, we found it pretty easy going all the way from Electric Park to our planned take-out at Riverside Parkway canoe ramp south of Caton Farm Road. Accumulations of water weeds were more of a problem, thickly matted enough in spots that it slowed the boats coming through. The weather was warm and sunny, and our 3 kayaks and one solo canoe drifted along cleaning up trash that accumulated along River Road behind the high school. We worked along with some local volunteers there who were wading the river and picking up on the banks, and were able to transfer some of the bigger and heavier items (lumber, steel bars, tanks, etc.) to them for pick-up later. Even so, by the end of the trip we were all fairly loaded down with cans and bottles and all kinds of plastic. Finally we felt we had accomplished a lot, and it was time to finish the paddle, so we headed downstream into a headwind with black clouds approaching. Fortunately all were off the water by the time the first lightning bolt sizzled and a drenching downpour began. (Why can't we get water when and where we want it?)
Name: Ray Ziemer
Email: rgziemer@worldnet.att.net

Date: May 21, 2005
Weather: mostly cloudy
Body of water: Sugar River
Location: WI
Leader: John Ziegler
Co-Leader: Marilyn Ziegler
Water level: low
Time on water: 4 1/2 hours
Length of trip: 8.5 miles
Number of craft: 12
Number of people: 17
Water rating: advanced beginner
Put-in directions: From Janesville take RT 11 west to Brodhead. Turn right (N) on RT 104 and take this to Cnty C. Turn left (W) on Cnty C and follow this to the river. The put in is on the NE corner. Car shift is at 9:30.
Takeout directions: Take cty C east to cty E and turn right. Follow this to rt. 59 and on into Albany where you turn right by the fire station to get to the city park.
Difficulty of carshift: easy
Time for carshift: 40 minutes
Names of carshifters: Thanks to Rebecca and Carole for the car shift and to Melinda for driver return
Special contacts:
Report: We had a mixed group of some veteran paddlers and some fairly new club members. There were 6 canoes and 5 kayaks and everybody survived the day without dumping even though we had several downfalls to go around, over, or through. Many thanks to Al Donaldson for being lead boat and keeping us on course through the many possible turns and helping get all paddlers through the tight spots. Some of the wildlife spotted are: river otters; green heron; red tail hawk; snakes; and heard sand hill cranes.
Name: John & Marilyn Ziegler
Email: canucamp@sbcglobal.net

Date: May 22, 2005
Weather: sunny skies, temps in low seventies
Body of water: Upper Fox
Location: New Munster, WI
Leader: Tracy Hunt
Water level: medium
Time on water: 4
Length of trip: 9 miles
Number of craft: 3
Number of people: 4
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: Put-in directions: I-94 north to WI Hwy 50, proceed west 13.9 miles on Hwy 50 to Hwy 83 (north), proceed north 2.0 miles on Hwy 83 to County JB, travel east .3 miles and cross river to Hoosier Creek Rd., travel north .4 miles on Hoosier Creek Rd. to put-in on the west side of the road, north end of the parking area.
Takeout directions: Car Shuttle Route to take out: south .4 miles on Hoosier Creek Road to County JB, west .3 miles on JB to Hwy 83, south 2.0 miles on Hwy 83 to Hwy 50, east on Hwy 50 to County W, south on W to County F, east on F to Fox River Park launch area on the south side of the road, just before the bridge.
Difficulty of carshift: moderate
Time for carshift: 30 minutes
Names of carshifters: Tom Croak
Special contacts:
Report: Although the previous night's weather forecast was indicating probable thunderstorms and the morning drive to the put-in took some of us through some spotty rain, the four of us (yes, only four!) who risked the elements found that the instant we put in on the water the skies turned blue and sunny, and the temperature was in the low seventies. A spectacular day for a paddle! The water level was slightly below average; however, it presented no paddling problems or concerns.

Wildlife sightings were numerous; herons, an otter, hawks, and a large very active beaver were observed. We also believe a red fox was also spotted.

The lunch stop was brief and a pleasant day's paddling was concluded about 2:30 pm.

Thanks to Tom Croak for the car shift and Patrick Condon for sharing some extremely interesting maps which included some aerial views of the river route as well as topographic information.

Name: Tracy Hunt
Email: tjhunt@netzeo.net

Date: 5-15-05
Weather: Windy-Rain
Body of water: Kishwaukee South Branch
Location: Kirkland to Cherry Valley
Leader: Mark Morrall
Co-Leader: Merri Morrall
Water level: medium
Time on water: 4 Hours
Length of trip: 9 Miles
Number of craft: 7
Number of people: 9
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: Put-in is at MacQueen Forest Preserve on Scout Road northwest of Kirkland.
Takeout directions: From MacQueen take Scout Road west 1 1/4 miles. Turn right on Irene Road, drive 4 1/4 miles. Turn left on Bloods Point Road, drive 2 3/4 miles to Blomberg Road. Turn left, park on far side of the bridge.
Difficulty of carshift: Moderate
Names of carshifters: Mark Morrall
Special contacts: There is camping at MacQueen and nearby Russell Woods Forest Preserves. Contact the Dekalb County office.
Report: Along this stretch you can expect a few high clay banks, riffels and many gravel bars. There are a few homes to paddle past along with some delapidated cabins along the shore.
Name: Mark Morrall
Email: morrall@t6b.com

Date: 5-14-05
Weather: High Winds-Overcast
Body of water: Kishwaukee South Branch
Location: Genoa to Kirkland
Leader: Mark Morrall
Co-Leader: Pam Skeels
Water level: medium
Time on water: 5 Hours
Length of trip: 12.5 Miles
Number of craft: 8
Number of people: 10
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: Put-in is next to the Nature Center at Russell Woods Forest Preserve.
The enterance to the forest preserve is off highway 72, just west of Genoa.
Takeout directions: From Russell Woods go 7 miles west on highway 72 to 6th Street in Kirkland. Turn north, drive 1/4 mile to the enterance of Potowatimie County Park.
Difficulty of carshift: Simple
Names of carshifters: Mark Morrall Mark Skeels
Special contacts: There is nearby camping at Russell Woods and MacQueen Forest Preserves. Contact the Dekalb County office for details.
Report: The USGS guage at Fairdale read 2.5', anything lower than this would be too low. Along this stretch there is little shoreline development. There are a few strainers that may cause concern, but with the slow current, beginners should have no problem manuevering around them.
After five river miles there is a town park on the right, providing rest rooms, water, and picnic tables.
Name: Mark Morrall
Email: morrall@t6b.com

Date: APRIL 30,2005
Weather: COOL, CLOUDY,QUICK SHOWER
Body of water: KANKAKEE RIVER
Location: STATE LINE TO MOMENCE
Leader: JIM DECK
Co-Leader: ALICE DECK
Water level: medium
Time on water: 4 HOURS
Length of trip: 8 MILES
Number of craft: 7
Number of people: 11
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions:
Takeout directions:
Names of carshifters: MARY KRZYSTOFIAK
Special contacts:
Report: WE SAW A MINK, 2 PILEATED AND 10 RED HEAD WOODPECKERS AS WELL AS SEVERAL GEESE AND DUCKS AND A SMALL HERON ROOKERY. LOGS ARE STARING TO CHOKE THE RIVER IN 2 PLACES NEAR THE START AND THERE WERE SEVERAL NEW GOOD SAND BARS FOR LUNCH AND RESTING. 2 KANKAKEE RIVER CONSERVENCY BOATS WERE SEEN PICKING UP TRASH AS WELL AS THEIR SIGNS SHOWING THEY ARE AQUIRING PROPERTY AND PRESERVING IT. SIGNS ALSO WERE AT THE TAKE OUT AND ALONG THE RIVER FOR RIVER ADOPTING BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS... WOULDN'T THIS BE GREAT FOR ALL RIVERS.
Name: JIM DECK
Email: JADECK77@MSN.COM

Date: April 17, 2005
Weather: Sunny 75F
Body of water: Fox River
Location: Algonquin to Elgin
Leader: Glenn Rabick
Co-Leader: Dawn Rabick
Water level: medium
Time on water: 3.5 hrs.
Length of trip: 8 miles
Number of craft: 15
Number of people: 19
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions:
Takeout directions:
Time for carshift: 30 min.
Special contacts:
Report: FOX RIVER, ALGONQUIN TO ELGIN
APRIL 17, 2005
by Glenn Rabick


Nineteen people in ten kayaks and five canoes joined me on my first attempt to lead a trip on a glorious 75° April afternoon. Although quite urban, wild life was seen. As required by PSC Bylaws, the majestic Blue Heron appeared and then proceeded to follow us all day. We also encountered two pink flamingos and the ever so elusive flock of polymer geese. I would like to give a special thanks to Dean for saving one of the runaway geese from certain peril over the Carpentersville dam.

The takeout at Trout Park in Elgin was an awe-inspiring carpet of yellow and blue wild flowers. It was quite a contrast to the I-90 bridge looming overhead. Thanks to the car shifters and everyone that made my first trip run smoothly.

Name: Glenn Rabick
Email: jojoheads@msn.com

Date: April,24,2005
Weather: Brisk,Cloudy
Body of water: Des Plaines River
Location: Libertyville/Lincolnshire
Leader: Andy Cocallas
Co-Leader: Seaby Bess
Water level: medium
Time on water: 2.75 hours
Length of trip: 3.25 hours
Number of craft: 3
Number of people: 3
Water rating: advanced beginner
Put-in directions: Hwy.176 in Libertyville to St. Marys road.South to first light Rockland road.West to first road west of river.South 1 block to park.
Takeout directions: Riverside road in LIncolnshire south of Rt. 22 appx.1 mile.Turn west at Londonberry Rd. follow road to parking lot next to Nature Center along river.Drive slow/residential area.
Difficulty of carshift: None
Time for carshift: 20 min.
Names of carshifters: Andy Cocallas/Seaby Bess
Special contacts: None
Report: Three solo paddlers enjoyed a crisp,partly cloudy night for a Full Moon paddle.Lots of Beaver tails slapping as we paddled from Riverside Park in Libertyville to Linconshire north of Ryerson Dam.Both small dams (north of Rt. 60 and south of Rt. 60) were runnable if you used the cut outs.No blockages to portage around.Full Moon was hidden till the last 45 min. behind clouds but was spectacular as it rose above the clouds for the rest of the evening.11:00 P.M. take out and the weekend was complete.
Name: Andy Cocallas
Email: acocallas@sbcglobal.net

Date: 4-24-2005
Weather: chilly wind, sunny, pictureque clouds
Body of water: Pecatonica River
Location: Stephenson County
Leader: Sigrid Pilgrim
Co-Leader: Alan Pilgrim
Water level: low
Time on water: 3 hours
Length of trip: 6.7 miles
Number of craft: 31
Number of people: 45
Water rating: advanced beginner
Put-in directions: From Chicago: Take I-90 to first Rockford exit, for the Rte 20 bypass, continue to Rte 20 west towards Freeport. Take the bypass around Freeport to Rt3 26 exist and go North all the way to Winslow Road, last road before the Wisconsin border. Turn West on Winslow and follow a few miles to Brewsters Landing. The paddle will be to McConnell Road Bridge.
Takeout directions: The shuttle from Brewsters landing, go back east to Basswood Road and go South, follow Basswood Road to Old Mill Road, turn right on Old Mill Road and follow road to stop sing at Orangeville Road. Turn right on Orangeville and left just before the bridge.
Difficulty of carshift: easy
Time for carshift: 15-20 min
Names of carshifters: don't know - only 6 PSC members were on this trip
Special contacts: Details from Joe Giner jeginger@mwci.net and Lee Butler lbutler9@juno.com, also check out www.paddlethepec.com
Report: This was the annual IPC Kickoff Trip to help celebrate efforts to develop the Pecatonica Water Trail. This is a lovely river in NW Illinois in a hilly part of the state. Lined with huge trees all along, this river is fairly wide, 100+ feet in places, with even at low water levels, a nice current making paddling easy. Some downfalls, but they are not a problem, easy to maneuver around. Absence of houses along the river makes for a pleasant and very peaceful environement. Carpets of Virginia Blue Bells could be seen from the river.Saw a number of ducks, a hawk, plenty of migrating birds, no other wildlife given the fairly large group, but Joe and Lee have seen many deer and other animals when paddling there. This is a nice river to paddle when there is no water anywhere else, and would make an excellent fall color trip. There is a state park, Lake Aqua Na, not too far away. No convenient place for lunch to stop, other than in boats, as river banks are very muddy. If planning a trip contact Joe or Lee (above) they will provide carpeting at the takeout to avoid muddy feet! This is a very much underused, underknown river.
Name: sigrid pilgrim
Email: sigpilgr@comcast.net

Date: 4/3/05
Weather: Partly sunny
Body of water: West Branch of DuPage R.
Location: West Chicago- Warrenville
Leader: Ray Ziemer
Water level: medium
Time on water: 4 hrs
Length of trip: 9 miles
Number of craft: 15
Number of people: 18
Water rating: beginner
Put-in directions: From North Ave. to Prince Crossing Rd., north to St CHarles Rd., and east to the river.
Takeout directions: Rte. 59 south to Mack Rd., east to the river.
Difficulty of carshift: easy
Time for carshift: 1/2 hour
Names of carshifters: Mary Erikson, Richard Delezen, Sherri Johnson, Przemek Panek
Special contacts:
Report: A beautiful day brought 18 paddlers out on the West Branch, in canoes and kayaks. It was nice to see new and old friends enjoying the river. Everyone was able to skim over the only real obstruction we faced - those old timbers from the old St.Charles Rd. bridge keep working their way downstream. Even allowing for a leisurely lunch at Lions Park in Winfield, our trip was relatively quick; the decent water level and a little current got us through to Mack Road before 3:00. Thanks to Mary, Richard, Przemek, and Sherri for car shift help, and Sherri for sweep
Name: Ray Ziemer
Email: rgziemer@worldnet.att.net

Date: April 9, 2005
Weather: 73, sunny, Winds w 10mph
Body of water: DuPage
Location: Shorewood to Shepley Rd
Leader: Tom Lindblade
Co-Leader: Tom Richardson
Water level: low
Time on water: 4 hrs
Length of trip: 7 miles
Number of craft: 40
Number of people: 50
Water rating: advanced beginner
Put-in directions:
Takeout directions:
Special contacts:
Report: An extremly successful Moving Water 1 training. Fifty people on the water 33 students.
Name: Tom Lindblade
Email: lindbladet@sbcglobal.net

Date:  5 / 31 / 2004
Weather:  cloudy
Body of water:  Fox River
Location:  Rt. 52 - Wedron
Leader:  Larry Forgala
Co-Leader:  none
Water level:  high
Time on water:  1 Hr.
Length of trip:  9 miles
Number of craft:  8
Number of people:  10
Water rating:  intermediate
Put-in directions:   Rt. 52 Bridge Approx. 26 miles west of Shorewood
Takeout directions:   Aeyer's Landing Livery
Difficulty of carshift:  nominal
Time for carshift:  20 - 30 minutes
Names of carshifters:  Bob Tyler
Special contacts:   Take - out Ayers Landing ---Bill. Advise him of club affiliation & provide $1.00 - $2.00 per car for beer for allowing parking.
Report:    would you believe a " all time record "!!! with the water level at 8 ft. above normal, with a fast current, 4 canoes & 4 kayaks made the trip in 1 HOUR. A pleasent lunch stop at Ayer"s Landing was ended by a torrential downpour that ended the day.
Many thanks to Bob Tyler for carshifting & providing entertaining stories.
Name:  Larry Forgala

Date:  7 / 3 / 2004
Weather:  cloudy
Body of water:  Fox River
Location:  Sheridan to Wedron
Leader:  Larry Forgala
Co-Leader:  Glen Rabick
Water level:  high
Time on water:  3 Hr.
Length of trip:  12 miles
Number of craft:  3
Number of people:  3
Water rating:  intermediate
Put-in directions:   Rt. 52 bridge Approx. 26 miles west of Shorewood.
Takeout directions:   Ayers Landing Livery- Wedron
Difficulty of carshift:  nominal
Time for carshift:  20 - 30 min.
Names of carshifters:  Larry forgala
Special contacts:   Ayers Landing---Bill.
Report:   In spite of heavy storm warnings & tornado watches, hearty paddlers took off to the tune of firecrackers & sky rockets. A mid-trip downpour lent some excitement making the take-out hard to find. A good time was had by all.
Name:  Larry Forgala

Date:  7 / 31 / 2004
Weather:  clear, cool
Body of water:  Fox River
Location:  Rt. 52 - Wedron
Leader:  Larry Forgala
Time on water:  4 1/2 Hrs.
Length of trip:  9 Miles
Number of craft:  13
Number of people:  20
Water rating:  advanced beginner
Put-in directions:   Rt. 52 bridge Approx. 26 miles west of Shorewood
Takeout directions:   Ayers Landing Livery - Wedron
Difficulty of carshift:  nominal
Time for carshift:  20 - 30 min.
Names of carshifters:  Carloe Hickman, Bill Kessler, Dan Raymond
Special contacts:   Ayers Landing---Bill
Report:   " Once in a Blue Moon #2". Mother Nature Was kind again!!!!! A mixed group of canoes & kayaks enjoyed  a cool, leasurely paddle dodging some new sandbars, gravel beds, & downfalls. A early full moon added to the atmosphere & a good time was had by all.
Thanks to Carole Hickman, Bill Kessler, & Dan Raymond for carshifting.
Name:  Larry Forgala

Date:  8 / 14 / 2004
Weather:  sunny, cool
Body of water:  Kankakee River
Location:  Momence to Aroma Park
Leader:  Larry Forgala
Water level:  low
Time on water:  3 1/2 Hrs.
Length of trip:  10 miles
Water rating:  beginner
Put-in directions:   Rivert Road Just West of Momence before the Ford Dealer.
Takeout directions:   Aroma Park waterside park
Difficulty of carshift:  nominal
Time for carshift:  20 - 20 min.
Names of carshifters:  Carole Hickman, Jim Rehfelt
Special contacts:   None
Report:   a beautiful, cool summer's day provided great paddling weather for this time of year. low water levels with some new sand & gravel bars, and some late arrivals made for a somewhat longer paddle. We all gathered at the Take-out & went to the resturant There & had a pleasent lunch.
Thanks to Carole Hickman & jim Rehfelt for carshifting.
Name:  Larry Forgala

Date:  August 31, 2004
Weather:  partly cloudy
Body of water:  Lower Des Plaines River
Location:  Willow Springs to Romeoville
Leader:  Rich Rothrock
Co-Leader:  none
Water level:  high
Time on water:  4 hours
Length of trip:  12 miles
Number of craft:  17
Number of people:  22
Water rating:  beginner
Put-in directions:   Columbia Woods Forest Preserve
Takeout directions:   Isle a La Cache
Difficulty of carshift:  little
Time for carshift:  50 minutes
Names of carshifters:  two
Special contacts:   none
Report:   We had a great turn-out for what is becoming an annual event.  There was high water, good current, and a wind at our backs.  What more do you need when you are paddling an historic Chicago river that had formerly seen its busier times as a transportation artery.  It was hard to find some dry ground for the lunch stop, but there was a patch of grass that did the trick.  We finished up with a quick reroute around a log blockage to the entrance to the take-out.  The usual wildlife was there in abundance.
Name:  Rich Rothrock

Date:  9/12/04
Weather:  Partly sunny
Body of water:  Lower Fox River
Location:  Sheridan to Wedron
Leader:  Rich Rothrock
Water level:  low
Time on water:  4 hours
Length of trip:  10 miles
Number of craft:  20
Number of people:  24
Water rating:  beginner
Put-in directions:   Schooners Tavern
Takeout directions:   Ayers Landing
Difficulty of carshift:  none
Time for carshift:  40 min
Names of carshifters:  2
Special contacts:   You need to pay at the put-in and at the take-out
Report:   We met on the morning of a fantastic early Fall day.  There was a good turn-out, and we got started after a quick car shift.  No scraping in the first part of the trip to Rte 52 bridge except for one section where several boats were stopped and the paddlers had to walk it to deeper water.  A pleasant lunch and then all enjoyed the rock formations on the stretch below Rte 52.  We arrived at the take-out too soon as you always do on this river.  Everyone enjoyed the day.
Name:  Rich Rothrock