Having a child just weeks after my last post has inhibited my time outdoors this year. I can't wait until he's a little older and share the beauty of Michigan with him when it's a little easier to maneuver with a toddler.
But this past weekend, I got a chance to return to the woods for the first time in months to assist with a weekend canoe trip along the Rifle River in Ogemaw County. This stretch of the Rifle River, the northern portion south of Rose City, proved to be one of the more difficult stretches I've done in recent years.
Coupled with the fact we had lots of new canoers with us, the Rifle River was originally chosen because we expected it to be a good starting river for them. Little did we know it would turn out much differently.
What was originally planned as a five-hour trip quickly shortened, due to the fact that the river was littered with downed trees along the twists and turns. It's not uncommon for rivers in the fall to have so many down trees, mostly because the summer tourists are gone and canoe rental companies don't have the employees for clearing the path on payroll. Between the close of summer and the early fall timeframe, it gives plenty of time for trees to get in the way.
And get in the way they did. Early on, we had plenty of obstacles to dodge along the turns, which set the standard for most of the river. With plenty of new canoers, it went slower than usual, but nothing out of the ordinary.
That changed after we turned at a bend and discovered a tree laying across the entire length of the river. This caused us to think critically, seeing how the tree was A) low enough where we could not duck and canoe under it (for most of us) and B) high enough where we could not simply lift over the canoe on it. The water was waist high by the tree, and it would have been very difficult to lift in the water at it's colder temperatures.
While some could sneak under, I decided it to be best to do something I've never done on a fall trip: portage around the obstacle. Typically only reserved for trips between lakes like the one I did last summer, this portage wasn't nearly as bad on account of only have a few things with us in the boat. A simple bushwhacking and the boat was relaunched in the river, ready to face the challenges ahead.
After dealing with some tipping in the kayaks with some of the kids, we slowly made our way down the river. After stopping for lunch, we realized the rest of the trip would have to be abbreviated, because we had done a two-hour stretch of the river in four. It would have been dark had we not stopped. Thanks to the fine folks at Troll Landing Campground and Canoe Livery in West Branch who came out and got us out of the river earlier than we originally anticipated.
I've canoed several rivers across Michigan in the fall, my favorite time for river canoeing. I've done challenging rivers such as the Pine and the Pere Marquette in the fall, but I've never had a challenge like we had this past weekend on the Rifle. It was great for a challenge, but made more difficult with less-experienced canoers. Definitely a stretch of a river worth checking out in the fall if you're looking for something not leisurely.
