Thurs. 4/21: Water levels along this stretch of the La
Crosse River often vary over the course of a day, but are
canoeable in all but flood conditions. Other than the drop
over the old mill dam (visible from the downstream side of
Hwy M), this stretch is an easy paddle through mostly wooded
terrain. Paddlers can either portage around the small drop,
or run it. If you wish to run this drop, the best approach
seems to be from just right of center, at the top, the chute
angles somewhat to the left. A successful run through here
will send your boat directly at a fairly large rock hidden
in the standing waves some 25 - 30 yards downstream. Avoid
this rock and its smooth sailing for the rest of the trip.
For being close to West Salem, there is plenty of wildlife
to be seen. A pair of eagles can usually be seen along this
stretch and smaller birds abound. Muskrat, beaver, deer and
otter can also be found here.
Wed. 4/25: This is a pleasant 3.7 mile paddle through fairly
flat wooded terrain. Wildlife is plentiful. The river is
seldom blocked by downed trees, but some care must be taken
to avoid the occasional snag or strainer.
Thur. 5/5: This is a nice flat water paddle that starts on
the northwest side of French Island and takes out just above
the French Island spillway. The route takes the paddler past
the airport lights in Lake Onalaska, past the Sail Boat Club
and finally down the west shore of French Island. Sunfish
and bass may be visible in the shallows as they prepare for
the breeding season.
Wed. 5/11: This 5 mile paddle is a fairly quick run down the
La Crosse River from Bangor to the south end of Lake
Neshonic. Novice paddlers should find this route to be
challenging, but not impossible. The river is generally
open, but the middle stretch is moderately quick and loaded
with logs, snags and a few strainers. Good judgment and
solid boat handling skills are sometimes required to save
your pride from a good sousing. The entrance to Lake
Neshonic is often very shallow and boats can get momentarily
hung up here. Persevere, and it’s only a short jaunt to
the Tilson Street landing.
Thur. 5/19: The characteristics of the Black River change
rapidly as the paddler heads downstream from Lyttle’s
landing on the northern end of Brice Prairie. Wooded areas
become sparser, giving over grudgingly to marsh grasses and
other aquatic vegetation. Last year, a downed tree, afforded
trippers a small challenge near the beginning of the run,
but it's usually the direction and strength of the wind
that causes the most grief. A gusting wind from a southerly
direction can make the last leg of the short trip something
to remember.
Wed. 5/25: The majority of this 4.7 mile loop meanders
through several distinct, but interconnected sloughs and is
very easy. The one exception, a short stretch that runs
close to the main channel of the Mississippi River, can be
challenging. A fairly strong current here coupled with gusty
upstream or downstream winds, and you've got a good workout
on your hands.
Thur. 6/2: Winding through the north side of La Crosse, this
section of river seems to leave the city behind; present,
but not intrusive. Paddlers first meander their way south
from Gillette Street for about 0.8 mile. Once there, they
must negotiate a strong eddy, lying just upstream from an
old bridge. Generally an easy paddle from here to Riverside,
though a downed tree nearly blocks off the entire river,
near down town. The unimproved landing, north of Riverside
Park, can be one of the more challenging aspects of this
trip, as the banks are steep and often muddy.
Wed. 6/8: This easy 7.45 mile paddle is a pleasant trip
through heavily wooded terrain. The abundance of wildlife,
coupled with beautiful scenery, has made this stretch of the
Black River a favorite with club members.
Wed. 7/6: This trip begins with a short portage along the
Reno levee, before the paddler begins a leisurely trip
through Mississippi backwaters, to the take out near
Jefferson, Minnesota. This is an excellent outing for
paddlers of all skill levels.
Thur. 7/14: This section of the La Crosse River starts at an
often shallow landing on N. Kinney Coulee Rd. From here, it
runs through wooded country, until the paddler reaches the
open marsh area behind Gundersen Lutheran Clinic. Downstream
from the marsh, a tripper passes through a combination of
forest and marsh, taking out at the Gillette Street landing.
Generally an easy paddle, there are a couple obstacles worth
mentioning. First, there is a very strong eddy at the
Holiday Heights landing, nothing overwhelming, but paddlers
should give this spot the respect it deserves. Second, there
is at least one downed tree across the entire channel; (a)
brief portage(s) may be required.
Wed. 7/20: This route is a fun and easy trip. For a majority
of the outing, boaters travel with the current, following
the entire east side of Goose Island. The last half mile or
so can be more challenging, as paddlers now must turn their
boats upstream and contend with any wind coming from the
vast open stretch to the south. Last fall’s excursion was
very rewarding, beautiful sunset, and the air was raucous
with the sights and sounds of migrating waterfowl.
Thurs. 7/28: Though not particularly long this trip may be
too much for the novice paddler to take on. This trip starts
at Hwy 16, and then travels down the Root River to its
confluence with the Mississippi. From here the paddler must
cross the main channel and then work their way up the east
side of the river to the landing at 7th Street. With good
weather, minimal boat traffic, and normal summer river
levels this trip is manageable, but tiring. In adverse
conditions, it’s probably too much for all but the most
experienced paddlers.
Wed. 8/3: This paddle is a slightly longer version of the
trip described on Wed. 6/2. First, there is a very strong
eddy at the Holiday Heights landing, nothing overwhelming,
but paddlers should give this spot the respect it deserves.
From here, paddlers work their downstream, passing below the
bike trail and Hwy 16 bridges before reaching the landing at
Gillette Street. About 0.8 miles from here, boaters must
negotiate another strong eddy, lying just upstream from an
old bridge. With the exception of a large a fallen tree near
down town, it is an easy paddle from here to Riverside
Park., The unimproved landing, north of Riverside Park, can
be one of the more challenging aspects of this trip, as the
banks are steep and often muddy.
Thurs. 8/11: This little trek takes paddlers across the
Mississippi’s main channel, twice. Boaters cross the river
toward Target Lake, drop down through a portion of the west
channel, and then backtrack across the river to return to
their starting point. With good weather, minimal boat
traffic, and normal summer river levels this trip is
manageable by most paddlers, but in adverse conditions,
it’s probably too much for all but the most experienced
paddlers.
Wed. 8/17: This is a nice flat water paddle that gives the
boater the chance to explore some of the upper portions of
Lake Onalaska. Designed to be a point to point trip, it is
easily made into a longer paddle simply by adding one or two
side trips (i.e. an excursion to the nearest crescent
island, a trip around the small island north of Rosebud).
Though frolicsome in breezy conditions, this is a great
outing for paddlers of all abilities.
Thur. 8/25: From water level, the paddlers catch only
glimpses of the surrounding countryside, an open field here,
a farmhouse there. Blanketed by a sense of stillness,
nestled down between the river’s banks, warmed by a late
afternoon sun they follow a winding course downstream.
Generally very easy, this section of river has a few snags
and downed trees to avoid, but as of last fall, nothing
major.
Wed. 8/21: This route takes the paddler south from Spillway
Road landing on French Island to the east landing on Clinton
Street. From the spillway boaters head south through
Jolivet's Bay, then south to the east channel, then east
to the Black River, and then finally, north upstream to the
Clinton Street landing. This a fairly easy paddle, though at
times boat traffic can be quite heavy.
Thur. 9/8: This trip explores more of the Mississippi's
backwater, specifically the sloughs and channels that are
found west of Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, the seminary, and
south side Wal-Mart. This is an excellent outing for
paddlers of all skill levels.
Wed. 9/14: Although new to the club this year, this short
section of the Black River is probably similar to section
described on Wed. 6/8. In all likelihood, it is fairly open,
fairly wide, and has no impassable obstacles.
Thur. 9/22: This is a very short, quick paddle down the Root
River. Some snags and logs may be present, but this would be
a good trip to take a novice for their first shot at river
paddling.
Wed. 9/30: This short paddle will take boaters up to the
Onalaska spillway, back downstream, under the Interstate 90
bridge, past Bridgeview Plaza, past Black River Beach and
finally to the take out at Clinton Street. Most of the time
this will be a very easy outing, but this part of the river
is susceptible to gusty winds and heavy boat traffic, so,
paddlers beware!
Wed. 10/6: This outing should be a great opportunity to see
some of our local waterfowl and not freeze your extremities
at the same time. The paddle follows the west side of Goose
Island, with the current helping boaters all the way. If
there’s a sore spot on this route, it would have to be the
predominantly, southerly winds, which could make the push
home a little more difficult.
Posted with permission from Marty Reigel 04-20-11
