Mark Saturday, April 26th, on your calendar so you'll remember to come to our annual spring paddle down the beautiful Kishwaukee River. We're meeting at Baumann Park in Cherry Valley at 9 am to offload boats and gear to be ready to shuttle cars at 9:30.
To get there, take I-90 west and exit at the first Rockford exit to go south on I-39/Bypass Rt. 20 a quarter mile. At Harrison, take the 2nd exit off of I-39 to go east on Rt. 20 toward Belvidere. At the first set of lights, Mill Road, turn right and go to the stop sign. Turn left onto State Street to Cross the river and the RR tracks then turn right onto Walnut and go south into Baumann Park. The put-in is to the right just past the tennis courts and playground.
Bring plenty of water, food for lunch, and your paddling gear. I expect the water temp to be cold so a farmer john/jane wetsuit would be advised. If it's rainy, we'll still do this trip so bring rain gear just in case.
We'll paddle the 8 miles to Atwood Park in New Milford and stop along the way to have lunch-probably at Kishwaukee Forest Preserve near Blackhawk Road bridge. This stretch of the Kishwaukee has a few small ledges where the current picks up a little and a few riffles where the water passes over gravel bars. Otherwise, it's mostly a flatwater event. This paddle will be great for beginners as well as seasoned paddlers. Whitewater kayaks, sea kayaks, recreation kayaks, and canoes are wecomed on this trip.
I'll check the USGS gage at Perryville before the trip so I'll know what the paddling conditions will be like. Let me know that you're coming (email or phone) so I can pass along any last minute details about the trip. Hope you can be there.
Dan Leigh