Start 1307.8 - Pine Point campsite
End 1289.8 - Silver Maple campsite
Today’s mileage - 18.0
Total mileage - 51.8
Today was the coldest morning of the trip so far. Bemidji reported a low of 38 degrees. It was overcast and windy this morning. Definitely jacket, gloves and beanie weather. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) labels this marshy area as “abundant vegetation may be impassable at times” and I would agree. I had to backtrack twice searching for a passageway through the cattails, wild rice and floating mats. Sometimes I just had to push through because there wasn’t any other way.
At Iron Bridge campsite, there were 2 kayaks. The Adirondack shelter had a tarp over the front and wetsuits and gear were hung on lines to dry. I called out several times but nobody answered, so I continued on. I think this was the grandfather and his grandson that started the Monday before me.
For the next couple of miles the river was easy and beautiful. Slowly winding its way through the countryside.
Then I came to a section that the MDNR labeled as “numerous log jams”. I think this would be an understatement. I lost count of how many jog jams I had to go over, under, around or some combination of all of them. This was definitely the most physically challenging part of the trip so far.
Bones: I’m loving this adventure but it scares me. First it was the spiders in the trees, then it’s the mosquitoes, then the ticks, now the trees are trying to get us! What’s next? Alligators?
I have to thank my mother for the early birthday present. She got me a new carbon fiber paddle for this trip. It weighs about a pound and is a dream to paddle with. Until today, the paddling was too rough for this kind of paddle. Carbon fiber paddles are not designed for whitewater and rough conditions. But in the flat open waters it works like a hot knife going through butter. Thank you my wonderful mother, you always seem to know the perfect gift.
Tonight I’m at Silver Maple campsite. It is rustic without the Adirondack shelter but it does have a table and fire pit. And a relaxing view of the river.
Dang it! I found another tick. Luckily this one was still crawling around.
Wildlife Report :
White Tail Deer, Bald Eagles, frogs, turtles, beavers, Squirrels, White Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes, Canadian Geese, Sandpipers, Swallows, CowBirds, Red Headed Woodpeckers, Blue Herons, Red Winged Blackbirds and several kinds of ducks. And lots of smaller birds that I couldn’t identify. I really need to work on learning the smaller birds.
This is a GPS map of my progress today.
Map 1 - Lake Itasca to Casa Lake
River miles 1,341 to 1,258 (83 miles)
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Mississippi River State Water Trail maps
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/mississippiriver/index.html