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Where to Kayak in the Midwest
by Kay Fynne
http://www.fennkayak.com
The Midwest is where we find some of the finest kayak runs
in the USA. It is a paradise for the kayaker, with plenty
of secluded creek locations where rapids bounded by thick
wild banks shoot through the valleys and give way to big
lakes dotted with islands. Traditionally this is canoe
territory, but kayaks, especially the sea-going versions,
have certainly made their presence felt. Alongside the big
open canoes, the Sunfishes and so on, a kayak offers
something special, something individual and intimate that
cannot be easily found when using those other water-bourne
transporters.
Some of the most stunning and tranquil landscapes of the
Midwest can be found in northern Minnesota where the BWCA
is to be found. Outfitters here will kit you out with all
your kayaking needs. You can buy or rent kayaks as well as
get help mapping routes through the white birch and
northern pine bordered waterways all the way from the
Gunflint Trail to Quebec. Whatever trip takes your fancy
there are a number of options available, from simple day
trips to longer trips where you can stay in the great
outdoors for more than a week. There is also the
possibility of being taken to a location which is off the
beaten track with the idea of paddling you way back. You
will find these outfitters in the old town of Ely. These
guys are always flying kayakers to perfect locations that
provide tranquility with white water adventure. A popular
choice in this area is to kayak along the shores of the big
expanses of water in Canada's Quetico Provincial Park and
Voyageurs National Park. This area offers ease of
transport as well as being closer to nature. One of the
advantages of sea kayaks is that they are large enough to
store camping equipment and supplies. Some kayakers choose
an angler kayak as the more suitable option for the tinier
rivers of the BWCA as it enables easy floating and the
possibility of snagging some Northerns at the same time.
Wisconsin, the the west, is another kayaking winner. The
Namekegon River, hidden away in the north of the state, is
a gem. It sets out at Namekagon lake and runs a lonely
route down to the St Croix. The rapids are plentiful and
many are class I and II. You are going to need plenty of
wet water gear and maybe you should pack a fishing pole
since the river is famous for sturgeon. Or how about the
back country Wisconsin River? Starting in the north west
by the Mississippi it runs the entire state through to the
south west corner. Watch for wind here, which can through
your planning out, and the currents which are fierce - do
not go without your trusty personal flotation device (PFD).
Door county and the Apostle Islands of Wisconsin just cry
out to be explored by kayak - the only choice for the
adventurously minded. If you are new to the kayak then you
can take advantage of the lessons offered by rental
agencies at the resort or waterfront stores. Kayak travel
can take you easily to Les Cheneaux Islands or the Sleeping
Bear dunes in Michigan. It takes a handful of hours, a day
trip at most, and means the blow-up kayaks meant for light
recreational use are suitable for this tour. They can
easily take you and your gear off to that hidden unspoilt
camping ground.
While some kayakers are partial to the waters of Mexico or
the rapids of Colorado, kayaking the Midwest has its own
rewards such as getting off the beaten path so you can play
and relax at your own pace. To check out kayaks that are
specially suited for these kinds of excursions, visit
Cabela's (www.cabelas.com) wide selection of kayaks among
its selection of boating watersports.
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