Diggin' the Root River, MN July 14-16

“I wanted to repost this with a definite title and date...

(yes, Jimmy San and Ms. Doolittle are already "maybes" from the other thread and on the trip page)

INFO:

This is 90 percent a go for the Root!
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/canoeing/rootriver/index.html

Here are the tentative plans:

FRIDAY:
Likely put in at Parsley Access on the North Branch Root River, a few miles south of Chatfield, easily accessible on U.S. Highway 52, Friday afternoon. Do approx. 5 miles to the Pilot Mound DNR primitive canoe campsites. Camp there Friday night.

SATURDAY:
If people want to join us Saturday, they can put in at Moen Bridge, Fillmore Co. Road 21. However, that is approx. 8 miles downstream. Fillmore Co. Road 11, Allen Bridge, is only around 3 miles downstream, but am not sure of access. I can drive by and check. (Is not marked for access on DNR canoe map.)

Will primitive camp that night at either DNR campsites upstream of Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center OR on private land where I already have permission -- and have scoped it out.

This is a 13- to 14-mile day. Is that too much????

SUNDAY:
About 8.5 miles to National Scenic Byway/Highway 16 DNR canoe access. It's just below the confluence of the North Branch and South Branch (which goes through Lanesboro) of the Root River. You will have just gone under a long and pretty former RR bridge on the much-beloved Root River Trail, most heavily used by bikers.

That looks to be the plan for now. I need to double-check water levels for mid-July, but I think they should be OK.




 
last edited: 6/08/06 11:10:46 AM”

“Yeah, you better come, the goat!! You've probably canoed this route!!

Also, just thinking. If people can't come till Saturday morning, you could just put in at the Parsley Access and catch up to us. (last year we didn't leave camp till nearly 11... then again, it was raining and we were slow to hit the water, drying stuff off)

That Friday night camp supposedly has no access other than by canoe. Although I'm checking on that later.

Oh - and we'll figure out shuttles later. I suck at that!!!! LOL!”

“I'm going to need more than 90% if I'm going to buy airline tickets. ;-)”

“hehe...

Got some questions for you. Is there an outfitter nearby that rents out kayaks? Is kayaking feasible in your opinion? I've never canoed before and would feel more comfortable in a 'yak.

Also, anyone coming from the East that would be interested in sharing a ride? I'm coming from Ohio and would plan on leaving Thursday evening, possibly earlier depending on when I could take off from work.”

“what hair do should i sport for this trip?should i bring a bikini or a 1 piece.so many choices.”

“A well moosed purple crest of hair with a matching thong would just be spiffy. ;-)”

“i can't do thongs they chafe my rhoids...sorry”

“LOL, skeery sights on the Root River. OOB, you just bring yourself and your delightful mohawk!

Hmmm... we get Stovey here and Ms. Doolittle could have a canoe partner... if ya go, "that way," Ms. Doolitle.

PS, I answered ya on the "other side"”

“define 'that way' please.”

“Sorry, the no purple thong was the deal breaker.”

“Okie... Yes, if someone would like to share a canoe, I'd go that route, otherwise, I have no problems kayaking.

I can wear purple for ya StoveStomper, maybe not so much in the form of a thong. ;)”

“Oh yeah... is Preston, MN the closest town to the put in to map to? Just trying to get a time estimate for driving.”

“Stovey, I think AirTran has a sale on through today. Worth checking prices into Mpls.

There WILL be a canoe trip somewhere if the Root doesn't work. Bank on it!”

“Hmm, I lost a post which said...

Chatfield MN would be the closest. It is maybe 15, 20 miles tops south of I-90. And the put-in is probably 3 miles south of Chatfield on US 52.

I have a map on my work computer... and the directions to display a photo on this website on my home computer. When I get both things on one computer, you'll have a map!

(And I answered the 4th of July question "on the other side," who woulda thunk??!?)
last edited: 6/08/06 3:52:11 PM”

“LOL!! Yeah, I got the 4th answer. I figured I'd keep everything related to the paddle here.... to avoid tooo much confustion. ;)”

“I recieved your invitation. I'll have to pass. I have not enough days on my vaca list to allow me to do it...but thank you for thinking of me.

I'm not driving so far these days, saving my money for the big weeklong adventures that will be coming my way this year...Big Bend at years end being one of them.

One of these days though, we'll float together.

Have a great trip.”

“Sounds like an awesome trip! I have my kids that weekend though; so I can't join you. (sigh)”

“

This is the map it comes from, if you want a closer look on a .pdf map you can zoom in on.
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/canoe_routes/RootRiverNW.pdf

THE ROUTE

Put-in access is 2-3 miles south of Chatfield on U.S. Highway 52. YELLOW is the Friday afternoon route to the DNR campsite. GREEN is the Saturday route. PURPLE is the Sunday route. Take out just downstream of Lanesboro, which also has two outfitters.
last edited: 6/08/06 9:39:10 PM”

“BTW, if this route is low, there are other routes we can do, such as lower on the Root River or the Zumbro River between Rochester and the Mississippi. WE WILL GET OUT ON WATER!!

That said, here are links to a couple rental places in Lanesboro:

http://www.lrgeneralstore.com/page3.html
It looks like this one serves needs better.

http://www.rootriveroutfitters.com/outfitters/canoe.html”

“I looked at MsDoolittle's webpage. She's dang cute!
MsDoolittle, how do you feel about guys old enough to be your daddy? ;-)”

“LOL, I have a sore throat and fear that means a full-blown cold coming on, but yet that made me laugh.

See Stovey, always thinking of YOU! lol

P.S. I shouldn't say Little River General Store serves needs better. They just give more of their information on their website better. Root River Outfitters also has plenty of rentals.”

“I noticed that lizsbaby didn't invite me to be her canoemate. She must be taken again.


"Root River" - For some reason that just sounds kinda dirty. ;-)”

“You're making me blush!

Although it's rather strange, I never even called my own dad 'daddy'. :p

And I've been singing "Diggin' the Root" to the tune of "Doin' the Butt" for some reason. :|”

“MsDoolittle, geez, don't encourage him!! And don't EVER let him be within reach of a camera when he's behind you!!

On the positive side, he's been known to deliver Krispy Kreme doughnuts in remote canoe camps!!

”

“mmmmmm Krispy Kremes....”

“I deliver rum”

“Thought you were more of a beer drinker, spalpeen.

You and Sunny better go!

Me thinks I better sign up as a definite on this. I'm chatting an awful lot about it.”

“And I've been singing "Diggin' the Root" to the tune of "Doin' the Butt" for some reason. :|”
MsDoolittle
10:24:20 AM
6/09/06

Woo Hoo!”

“Hey lizsbaby! Is this MsDoolittle one of those Backpacker.com peeps?
I know you swing both ways sitewise.

She sounds like she would fit right in here on TT.”

“I don't think I've ever been called a swinger before. Not sure how I feel about that. Must go reflect.”

“I was swinging on a vine weekend before last. ;-)
Clearing my lot on the Pascagoula River, I had several big vines hanging from my big Live Oak tree. I had cut them off at the root and just couldn't keep myself from playing Tarzan.
last edited: 6/09/06 1:00:16 PM”

“Any of those vines drop you into the river? That would be fun!”

“Nope, but that is fun.
Come to think about it, that vine swingin' explains why my shoulders were just about killing me last week, LOL.
last edited: 6/09/06 1:10:59 PM”

“Lorax and Taggie are coming on this trip... if we can just get them to sign up here (they swing both ways... err, sites.. too!)

So two "fer sure" canoes so far....

WHERE'S MHH??!?!? The closest trip to home she'll make all year. MatahariHiker, where are you?!??!”

“Do I know you well enough to say "are you sure that the sore shoulders are from swinging from vines?" ;)

Maybe not.... LOL!! :D”

“MHH posted on the other side that she's had Pneumonia. :( Hopefully she feels better by the trip. I'd love to meet her as well (and of course TheLorax and Taggie). :)”

“MHH also posted that here... and on that thread, said she's got this on her calendar.

:-)”

“hee hee.... oops. I hadn't gotten that far. Site swinging is harder than it looks!”

“No I've never boated the Root. Use to fish Mill Crik and the river when I was a kid.

Haven't been up since the funeral, and this would be a great time to see people who need to be seen. If'n I do go, I'll be there for the entire route, eh. 90% sure of it.”

“OK, so this would be my first multi-day trip in my new kayak. I know I can cover the distances involved here and have enough skill I should not be a burden to the group if I can make the trip.

That said...

If I put in at the start of the river I presume I will drive my car there, park it, unload my boat, and paddle away.

How do I get my boat back to my car? Are there plans for a shuttle or such?

I am just trying to work this all out in my head.

Sounds like a perfect trip for me, however. Lots of fun, so thanks for the work, lizs. I hope it works out.”

“Someone will figure the shuttle out. My mind can just never grasp the easiest way to do it, lol. I know the roads we need to use, etc. We could potentially set up a commercial one with a trailer, too.

Typically, we'll leave a vehicle somewhere enroute, too "just in case."

That's funny you just posted, cuz for once my National Geographic TOPO mapping software was working (a computer problem when it's not)... and I just created a map for the trip. I do think I need to take it into Photoshop and add a few things yet.

But... should be a good trip!

I hope people don't freak as the time gets closer. I'll be gone from this weekend and not back home again till June 29... and likely not able to access a computer at all. EGADS!! :-)

SO DON'T FREAK OUT, PEOPLE!! There will still be two weeks for me to answer questions at that point. :-)”

“And Jimmy San, try to make it, mmmmmm kay?

The shuttle from beginning to end is 16 miles.

The trip is 5 miles Friday to a primitive DNR canoe campsite (I still want to check with land owners as to accessibility by car over their property, for whatever reason... )

13.5 miles Saturday, to either another primitive CNR canoe campsite... or a private pasture in a valley right by the river (yeah, it has cowpies, but also has hosted reunions and mini rock fests! LOL! And I have permission, but will need to double-check that weekend)

Sunday is 6.5 miles to take out just below Lanesboro at a DNR canoe access.

Come one; come all!!

Hmmm, I posted this on a paddling board. I need to see if some people from last year are coming again, or anyone new.”

“LOL!

mmmmmm kay!”

“Well... I have more shuttle info. :-)

My yet-to-have-a-name-stuck-on-him canoeing partner let me know he has a trailer to haul three canoes and gear. As he said, with one on the truck roof we could shuttle 4 boats/5 people with it.

And, lucky for us, he is much better than I at figuring shuttles out. lol

So far this looks to be he and I in a canoe; Lorax and Taggie in a canoe; MHH in a kayak; you (Jimmy San) in a kayak... and it looks like Stovie's out, so maybe Ms. Doolittle in a kayak. Might need a second vehicle at the end, too. Will see if more sign up... and who actually shows. Come one, come all, to quote the circus barker!”

“If there were a safe place to stash my boat at the end of the trip all I would need is a shuttle of ME back to my car. I have a car carrier for my kayak.”

“OK, we will take things like that into account. Maybe you would want to take your car to the end point, too? And I think MHH has a kayak trailer.

I have a Jeep Cherokee with Thule roof rack and attachments for two bikes with front wheels off. No specific canoe attachments, but it could probably haul something up there with the right bungees, ratchets and ropes, etc.

Oh yeah, if elementary 1 and fiancee novembertime go, they live almost enroute. And the goat was also from close by, a town not quite on the map (as is the situation with my town) :-)

We'll git'er done, I'm sure. :-)”

“I have no doubt!”

“I am still a little worried about the shuttle thing but I am sure we can figure out how to make it work. I got the time off from work and I am very much looking forward to the trip.”

“Glad to hear you're coming!!!

What aspect are you worried about? It's no big deal. Are you concerned about leaving a vehicle unattended at an access? I have never heard of access break-ins, although not to say it couldn't ever happen... Or about people arriving at different times?

I'm just thinking on it and perhaps this would work:

People arriving by a set time will get to take their vehicles to the end point and then shuttle back to the beginning to start. And we'd leave the vehicle with trailer there.

People arriving at other times will leave their vehicles at the start point... and will use the trailer to get boats back to the start point.

OR we wouldn't have to have the trailer there. Just a vehicle to take them back to the beginning... so they can bring their cars to the end to load up.

Or, once they leave vehicles at the end, the trailer is used to shuttle to the beginning. LOL, there are any number of ways to do it. Someone will figure out the best way. :-)

Canoes and kayaks will NOT be left unattended.

Then we can all gather somewhere, like Lanesboro, and EAT once shuttles are all run.

Maybe there's a better way to do it. There are always lots of possiblities....
last edited: 6/15/06 9:32:15 PM”

“I am going to start pulling stuff together for this trip next week. I'll probably be driving from Chicagoland if anyone wants a ride. There is a remote chance I'll be driving from Fond du Lac instead. Since my boat can haul a lot more junk than I would usually pack I expect I'll have more fun packing than usual. Thanks for setting this up lizs, I am really looking forward to it.”