Sierra Club  Woods & Wetlands Group Wisconsin River Wildlife Area Canoeing Weekend  Sign-Up & Roster
	For June, 2001

Most of you are still "in," but since the trip is still in the replanning stage, I'd like to keep you up to speed. The ones who said you were dropping out might reconsider the new options below.

I have definitely concluded that the Wisconsin River is too dangerous for our group with the flow conditions that will be there when we are scheduled to be there. It's sheer size amplifies the hazards and difficulty of recovery. So we're not paddling the Wisconsin this weekend. Rats, boohoo, move on.

However, since canoeing was the main event, and most of you who are still "in" are still hoping for a paddling outcome, I have investigated a day trip on a much more modest waterway: the Nippersink Creek. I'm leading a trip there next month, and the canoe livery can support a trip there for us this Sunday too.

The Nippersink now meanders through Glacial Park in McHenry, and flows into the Fox River at Fox Lake. I say "now" because it was only a year ago that a major project restored the original meanders to sections that were channelized by pioneers. The meanders now moderate the flow of water, slowing it to reduce erosion, improve wildlife habitat, and improve canoeing conditions! (The water is high in the Nip too, but it's small enough to make mishaps manageable.) We would put in at Keystone and take out at Pioneer. We might picnic en route. The paddle takes about 3 hours, and we'd start at noon. Lunch would add an hour or so. We might add a side trip by car to view a tiny tributary that would be inundated if a proposed sewage treatment plant is built in Richmond. The cost of this canoe adventure is $18 per person.

Which leaves me questioning whether it's really a great idea to go all the way to Spring Green Wisconsin. We have a $50 deposit there at Bob's Riverside that we can either lose, or use to cover one night of camping. That puts us close enough to day hike at Governor Dodge State Park. (All the group campsites at Gov. Dodge and at all the other State Parks around were reserved months ago.)

So the options are:

1. Camp at Bob's (Fri. and Sat.), hike/swim at Gov. Dodge (Sat.), paddle the Nip (Sun.). ($40)
2. Paddle the Nip (Sun.) ($18)
3. Better Luck Next Time. ($5)

P.S.  Some of you might receive an update by US PO that predated the Nippersink option. It has the directions to Bob's, so don't throw it away.

There's still useful information below, but the Logistics are in flux.
6/20/01 p.m.
 

To hold your reservation, print and fill out this liability waiver, and send it to me with the $40 trip fee (write check to Sierra Club). Cancellations after the cut-off date can result in loss of deposit, to cover trip costs. To discourage frivilous reservations, deposits (50%) is non-refunded after wait-list starts, and will go to wait-listed participants.

Trip Rules:

1. Stay with the group.
2. Be courteous to others.
3. Observe minimum impact practices.
4. No firearms, audio players, or pets

River conditions as of Tuesday night strongly suggest that we will be hiking much more than we will be paddling, and that we will not be camping on the river. See below.

LOGISTICS

• Please arrange to arrive and set up your tent before nightfall.
• Those who arrive early enough to eat dinner can consider meeting at the Round Barn (on 14/60 6 miles west of Spring Green).
• Please be in your tents and quiet up by 11 p.m.
• Saturday morning breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m., and at 9:00 we will be packed, tents down, and ready to canoe.
• We will leave our cars at Bob's. They will take us and our canoes to the launch point and we will paddle back to Bob's place on the river.
• Then we'll drive to our campsite at New Glarus State Park and pitch our tents. There is an entrance fee per car that is NOT covered by the trip fee. Depending on the time, we'll hike one of the trails there.
• On Sunday we'll break camp and drive to Governor Dodge State Park, and after a hike and/or a swim the outing will officially end.

• River shoes that can be worn in the water. Old gym shoes are fine, but shoes specifically designed for this are readily available, and work great. Avoid Tevas - they provide insufficient protection from sharp underwater objects. You might need to get out of the canoe every once in a while to pull the canoe over a sand bar ...
• Hiking boots or shoes. To avoid blisters, try double socks. Wool works best against your skin.
• Camping clothes: 2 pair light pants (long, short), 2 shirts (long, short), warm-up shirt or fleece, rain gear (which double as a wind breaker), and a swimsuit. It is mandatory that you pack a set of "Dump clothes" in a dry bag. This is simply an extra set of clothes in case you get soaked for whatever reason. Avoid blue jeans, and other heavy cotton fabrics that will not dry out on the water.
• Hat, sunglasses, eyeglasses strap, sunscreen, & lip balm. The sun can be very intense and there is little shade.
• Bug repellent. You might consider trying one of the natural types and avoid DEET. (DEET has been know to cause nerve damage and it also melts plastic.) Some people like screen headwear.
• Waterproof "dry" bag for gear, and some rope to tie it in. A reasonable alternative is 3 garbage bags tied inside a nylon or canvas bag. Remember, if you tip you don't want to sleep in a wet sleeping bag and wear wet clothes for the rest of the trip.
• Cup, plate, utensils.
• Lunch for Saturday and Sunday. Two breakfasts and Saturday dinner will be provided. Lunch, snacks, and drinks are not provided. You may also want to bring some refreshments for socializing around the fire in the evening. NO GLASS CONTAINERS.
• Water container for use in the canoe (bottled-water bottle is fine).
• 2 gallons of water per person for group and personal use. Quart-sized bottles of spring water pack easily, are convenient, and easy to pack out.
• Flashlight with fresh batteries, toilet paper with matches in a zip-lock bag, toiletries.
• Small backpack or fanny pack, and if you have one, a compass.
• Personal medicine. Please let us know if you have a condition that we should be aware of.
• Tent, sleeping bag (and pad).
• Money to pay for food on the road, car fees, and gas.

PROTOCOL

• Don't pass the lead canoe. Stay within sight of the group.
• All participants are expected to help out with the various chores including cooking and cleaning up.
• Keep yourself well hydrated, don't wait to drink until you are thirsty. Also protect yourself from the sun.
• With the present high river conditions, we do not plan to swim in the river. Do not swim alone or without others knowing. Use caution as the currents around the islands can be strong especially at the down-river end.
• Know and avoid poison ivy.
• Practice minimum impact camping. The Sierra Club was created to protect our wild lands. Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints.
• Good latrine practices involve going at least 100 feet inland from the water, when possible, and depositing your waste in a shallow hole which you then cover up. When you wash up, try to do so away from the river. We'll probably take a compact portable toilet.

ALTERNATE PLANS
If for some reason we can not go canoeing as planned, e.g. high water, we will go hiking at a park instead. So bring hiking boots along.

TRAVEL
Carpooling makes sense from an environmental, economic and social point of view. It is the participant's responsibility to make travel arrangements, and we encourage you to contact other participants. For carpooling it is customary for a single passenger to pay 2/3 of the gas. If there is more than one passenger, the riders split the cost of gas and the driver goes "free". The drive is roughly 200 miles but Friday evening traffic can be heavy.
If you are unexpectedly delayed, or need directions, you can call Bob's Riverside at 608-588-2826.

DIRECTIONS
Directions to Bob's Riverside Resort (about 3.5-4 hours from Chicago) where we will camp Friday night.

From Chicago:

• Take the Northwest Tollway (90) out of Chicago toward Rockford, then North.
• Cross into Wisconsin around Beloit, and keep going past Janesville.


OR
 

• From Lake County:
• NW on Rt. 12
• W on Rt. 173
• N on Rt. 14
• N on Rt. 90 N of Janesville.


THEN
 

• Just before Madison, Exit I-90 via ramp at sign reading "Exit 142A US-12 W / US-18 W to Madison" and go West for 0.6 miles (140)
• 12 Bear right on US-12,W Beltline Hwy and go West for 15 miles (155)
• Exit US-12,W Beltline Hwy via ramp at sign reading "Exit 251 US-14 W to Spring Green / La Crosse" and go Southeast for 900 feet (155)
• Turn right on US-14 and go West for 31 miles (186)
• Turn left on WI-23 and go South for 0.7 miles (187)
• Turn right on Madison St,W Madison St and go West for 0.7 miles (188)
• Turn left on Shifflet Rd and go South for 0.8 miles (188)

Updated 6/20/01 p.m.

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