River drops and adrenaline rushes
Paddling with Mike Svob There I was, treading water in the pool at the base of Big Smoky Falls on the Wolf River, confusedly wondering what had gone wrong after so many successful and exhilarating runs of this magnificent, roller-coaster drop.
Making my way over to my flotation-filled canoe, I saw to my dismay that it had been badly torqued out of shape after being slammed and held against the canyon wall just upstream from the famous "rooster tail."
Helping me pull the wounded boat ashore, my friends didn't bother to conceal their surprise (and no small amount of pleasure) that I had been oh-so-mortal on this run. Obviously, I realized, I had overconfidently let
down my guard, as if Big Smoky were just like another walk in the park. My comeuppance was a good lesson, one that has stood me well on many occasions since.
One undignified run on Smoky and an earlier nose-buster on the Red River's Monastery Falls certainly didn't diminish my enthusiasm for big drops.
Day in and day out, of course, the normal milieu for whitewater paddlers is rapids, with their play-inducing
boulder gardens, chutes, eddies, ledges and holes. Indeed, intermediate and advanced paddlers can spend the whole day playing in a rapid such as Boy Scout or Gilmore's on the Wolf, the May Ledges on the Bois Brule, Stairstep on the Black, or Snake Tail on the Pine. Rapids are where whitewater paddlers go to polish their skills and have a great time.
Nevertheless, there's nothing quite like the adrenaline generating thrill of a good, abrupt drop.
No matter how many times you've paddled a given stretch of river, your heart inevitably beats a little faster when a horizon-line looms ahead, menacingly inviting you to drop off the edge of the world into the relatively unknown.
Often the sight of the looming drop is heightened by spray leaping above the horizon-line from the turbulence below. Generally, too, an ominous roar can be heard far upstream, long before you can see the
imminent and sudden change of elevation. Occasionally, even the character of the ambient air changes noticeably, as the churning water pumps out acrid ozone. Altogether, it's an exciting experience, one that never cloys.
Each drop is a little different every time you run it; always a challenge, sometimes with a little (or considerable) danger. It's always a good idea to pull your boat over and scout a drop before running it. On
one hand, scouting is the safe thing to do, enabling you (for example) to spot potential hazards that can't be seen from upstream. On the other hand, it's simply enjoyable to scout: observing beforehand the detailed requirements of the run is a lot of fun for you and your paddling companions.
Sometimes there's a refreshing difference of opinion about the best place to go off the lip, the preferred angle, the best location to eddy-out, etc.
If you'd like to get your adrenaline pump going by trying out a drop or two, or if you're an experienced drop runner and are just looking for some new places to try, there are, fortunately, dozens of opportunities in Wisconsin, and even a couple in Illinois.
Mind you, I'm talking about runnable Class II-III drops, not fun-to-look-at but potentially-fatal-to-run Class IV-VI monsters like Saxon Falls and Superior Falls on the Montreal, La Salle Falls on the Pine, and the left
drop at Big Smoky on the Wolf.
All of the drops that I list and briefly describe here are at least 3 feet high. A few are somewhat easy and straightforward. But most are relatively complex and some are dangerous. I've paddled most of them myself, but there are a few that I chose to portage (e.g., Little Falls on the South Fork of the Flambeau and Strong Falls on the Peshtigo).
The specific environment in which each of the following drops is found is described in detail in one of my three paddling guidebooks for northern and southern Wisconsin and Illinois. In the brief descriptions below, the number in parenthesis refers to the page number in the appropriate guidebook. As you might expect, most of the significant drops (and whitewater in general, for that matter) are found in northern Wisconsin.
Paddlers are reminded that boating safety changes tremendously under various circumstances (water level, air temperature, etc.) and that everyone is responsible for making prudent choices consistent with their skill levels. There's never any shame in portaging an intimidating drop and enjoying its beauty from the shoreline.
Here, then, are 32 of the Midwest's most interesting drops, presented (roughly) from north to south.
NORTHERN WISCONSIN
The May Ledges
on the Bois Brule
There are two sets of Class II ledges on the Bois Brule (Lenroot and May). In the latter series, the second ledge is about three feet high. (PNW22)
Meyers Falls on the Pine
In a short mini-canyon, the river narrows and drops 10 feet in a few yards (Class II-III). (PNW112)
Little Bull, Big Bull & Washburn Falls on the Popple
All three are challenging Class III drops: Little Bull is a river-wide, 4-foot ledge that drops into a hole, Big
Bull features 7-foot drops on both sides of an island, and Washburn is a dramatic series of ledges. For advanced whitewater paddlers only.
Missicot Falls
on the Menominee
This intimidating 10-foot drop (Class IV) is followed by a beautiful rocky gorge with other drops, including one called Twin Sisters. For advanced whitewater paddlers only. The drops can be viewed from Piers Gorge Trail on river left. (PNW70)
Beaver Dam Rapids
on the Flambeau
The biggest drop on the North Fork, this is a river-wide 4-foot ledge (Class II). (PNW 52)
Little Falls
on the Flambeau South Fork
This misnamed Class III drop falls 7 feet on both sides of a rocky island. Complex and dangerous, it can be seen up close from the park on river left. (PNW60)
Powerline Rapids & Yellow Bridge Falls on the Pike
Powerline is a relatively straightforward Class II drop in a small canyon, while Yellow Bridge is a much
more difficult, complex Class II-III 5-foot drop, followed by a long boulder-garden. Unfortunately, Yellow Bridge can't be scouted because of private property issues. While you're in the area, take a look at Class V Dave's Falls in the county park near Amberg. (PNW158)
1st & 3rd Drop, Five-Foot Falls & Horserace Rapids
on the Peshtigo
First Drop (Class II+) is the first of the big drops on the Roaring Rapids section of the Peshtigo. Third Drop
features big waves in a center chute. Five-Foot Falls (Class II) is an impressive river wide ledge; the safest run is down the center. Horserace is an intense, high-gradient canyon that ends with a steep, tricky drop. Private property issues complicate scouting. For advanced paddlers only. (PNW96)
Strong Falls on the Peshtigo
Located in Goodman County Park, this Class III-IV drop is complex and dangerous and should be enjoyed only from the shoreline. (PNW 92, 94)
Taylor Falls on the Peshtigo
This Class III drop, just upstream from Goodman Park, has caught many paddlers unaware and caused many a nasty swim. (PNW92)
Whirlpool Rapid
on the Wisconsin
The only real rapid on the Wisconsin, downstream from Rhinelander, this Class II barely qualifies as a drop, but requires caution. (PNW158)
Pissmire Falls, Sullivan Falls, the Dells & Big Smoky Falls on the Wolf
Pissmire and Sullivan are riverwide waterfalls, while the Dells and Big Smoky are found in narrow, swift-flowing canyons. The Dells begins with a difficult drop, and Big Smoky ends with one. All four are solid Class IIIs, best left to advanced paddlers and rafters. (PNW174)
Monastery Falls &
Ziemer's Falls on the Red
Monastery is a gorgeous, high-gradient, slam-bam mini-canyon that begins and ends with big Class III
drops. Class II+ Ziemer's similarly has entrance and exit drops, but is less intimidating and offers many opportunities for play. (PNW122)
Big Falls on the Jump
Viewable from Big Falls County Park in Price County, this is an impressive and challenging Class III series of big drops through a rocky dells. (PNW62)
S-Curve Ledge on the Oconto
Half a mile downstream from Bagley Rapids, this irregular and difficult 4-foot ledge (Class III) precedes Chute Pond. (PNW 82)
Three Rows Falls
on the Eau Claire
Just upstream from Hogarty in the Wausau area, there are two 4-foot ledges with a short intervening stretch of fast water (Class II). (PNW42)
Big Rib Falls
You can see this one by visiting Big Falls County Park west of Wausau. The falls is a rocky, complex Class III drop. (PNW16)
SOUTHERN WISCONSIN
Keener Road Bridge
on the Waupaca
This undramatic and unnamed but enjoyable and straightforward drop is found two miles downstream from Amherst. Under the Keener Road Bridge, the river suddenly drops several feet. Follow the tongue down the middle. (PSW144)
Big Falls on the Eau Claire
West of the city of Eau Claire and east of Lake Eau Claire, the river drops 15 feet over rocky ledges on both sides of an island (Class III-IV). The left side (a sheer drop) is unrunnable, but skilled whitewater
paddlers have run the right side, which consists of five separate drops. Viewable from Big Falls Park. (PSW54)
ILLINOIS
Wildcat Rapid
on the Vermilion
The Holy Grail for Illinois whitewater paddlers, the Wildcat near Lowell is an ever variable 5-foot drop that is almost always thronged by play boaters (Class II-III). (PI106)
Canyon Rapids
on the Little Vermilion
Little known and not often paddled (mainly because it's difficult to access), the Little Vermilion near La Salle offers a challenging little Class III canyon that begins and ends with 4-foot drops. For advanced paddlers only. (PI84)
Mike Svob is a native Illinoisan and long-time Northwoods devotee. He has canoed and kayaked for more than 30 years in 18 states and several foreign countries but regards Wisconsin as paddling paradise and
home. He now spends a majority of the year in Tucson, Arizona. |
