Trip Report
Sept 30 - Oct 1   Pike (+Peshtigo/Wolf)
Submitted by Bonnie Wolff

The Sierra Club's fall canoe trip led by Chuck Patrick was filled with
the best of Wisconsin.  Fall colors were at their peak and each turn of
the rivers unfolded to panoramas of reds, golds and lush greens.  We
also had the best of two seasons with unusually warm summer-like
temperatures in the 70's combined with the beautiful fall vistas.

Ten eager solo canoeists met near Hwy K on the Pike River in northeast
Wisconsin on Saturday morning.  We paddled just past Yellow Bridge
Falls.  This section of the river is preserved and we were able to enjoy
all of its natural beauty plus have the challenge of some nice maneuvers
through rocky areas and class II rapids.  Yellow Bridge Falls is the
most difficult area we encountered, and it involves two pitches
requiring fast thinking and paddling.  As a newcomer to whitewater
paddling, I continue to be amazed at the support and encouragement given
to us by the more experienced paddlers.  Those with experience have
always been willing to scout the rapids and point out the best possible
path to attempt.  Then they back that discussion with demonstrations and
availability to toss rescue ropes at key points in the rapids.  (Let's
just say that 9 out of 10 of the paddlers made Yellow Bridge
successfully and even had energy left to play in the water before
loading the boats back up onto our cars.)

After the day of canoeing we were all interested in seeing even more
color and falling water, so we went to Dave's Falls County Park where we
could hike along the river and view beautiful pitches the river
surrounded with rocky ledges.  The side trip was well worth our effort.
We left that area and all traveled over to Goodman Park for our camp and
bonfire.  There was, of course, the usual sharing of food and beverages
and laughter and stories around the campfire to end a perfect day on the
river.

On day two, we decided to attempt two rivers.  The magnificent 70
degrees were holding strong as were the brilliant fall colors, and I
think we were like children not wanting to miss any of it.  We first
paddled the lower section of the Peshtigo.  We put in at Johnson Falls
Dam and took out at Kirby Lake Road.  This river, too, was virtually
undeveloped and magnificent in its pristine beauty.  The rock formations
backed with thick stands of pine and hardwoods were picturesque.  After
this shorter section of the Peshtigo, we loaded our boats and drove over
to do a short section III of the Wolf River.  We put in at Boy Scout
rapids and took out just below Gilmores Mistake rapids.  This section of
the Wolf River is filled with complex boulder gardens and some nice
rapids and play areas.  Just around one bend of the river we were
carefully observed by a bald eagle who was perched high in his tree.  Of
course, the most challenging section was Gilmores Mistake.  The fast
moving water does allow for an easy Eddy turn on the right before
descending the second drop.  Our weekend of paddling came to an abrupt
end just below this drop.  Ten tired canoeists headed for home
exhilarated by our paddling challenges and the beautiful Wisconsin
scenery we experienced.