Join Peggy O'Neal and Rebecca Hoye for a day trip in Duluth on Saturday, Oct. 13, with an option to paddle Sunday as well.
The main event is Saturday, when we'll do a fun paddle on the St. Louis River that will include park-like stretches as well as the busy Duluth Harbor. Bridges, docks, and boats large and small will be ours to enjoy.
Here are photos from prior trips.
We'll launch Saturday from Rice Point Landing under the Blatnik Bridge in the Duluth Harbor. (There's a link to a Google map above.) We'll paddle upriver, stop for lunch, and return. Total distance about 15 miles.
If there's interest and weather permits, we can do a paddle on Sunday morning; possibly inside the harbor, out on the lake, or farther up the St. Louis River.
The Saturday trip is a high end Level 2 trip. The distance of 15 miles would put it at Level 3 and there's some current on the St. Louis River that we'll be paddling up against. Winds can be unpredictable in this area. (ISK trip levels are
here.)
This trip will be a good opportunity to work on our navigation skills, as most of us will not be familiar with the area.
Caveats
- The weather will dictate whether we can do this trip or not, and we're pushing our luck this late in the year. Expect cold water and coldish air temps. We will cancel or do a different trip in the Twin Cities area in the event of an unfavorable forecast.
- The City of Superior allows hunting within the city limits (on the right side of the river if paddling downstream), so there may be duck hunters about.
- We will be paddling in marked channels and in the midst of harbor traffic, so we will maintain good group cohesiveness.
Equipment Requirements
- A sea kayak in good, serviceable condition, and suitable for the intended activity.
- Flotation in both ends of the boat - bags or bulkheads.
- Perimeter deck lines.
- PFD to be worn at all times when in or on the water.
- Wetsuit or dry suit. The water will be cold, so a wet suit at minimum is required, dry suit recommended.
- Readily accessible warm, dry change of clothes.
Lodging
You'll need to make your own lodging plans. Many of us will stay at
Jay Cooke State Park on Friday and Saturday nights. Reservations are needed there. Note that there's no running water this year due to a massive waterline leak.
Food
Breakfast at the Duluth Grill has become a tradition on this trip, as well as finding an interesting restaurant for dinner on Saturday night.
Contact Peggy O'Neal with questions.