Cloquet River Whitewater Trip with The Rovers

May 27-29, 2000
(Memorial Day Weekend)

(from DNR website)

(Click on thumbnails of photos to see larger images.)

A friend introduced me to The Rovers in May 2000. I joined immediately. Within a few weeks, I was on my first Rovers whitewater river trip. This is that trip.

May 27-29 - Wilderness Canoeing - Cloquet River Leaving: 8AM 5/27 Returning: 6PM 5/29 Trip Coordinator: Hank Estimated Cost: $30 + transportation Maximum Size: 8 Description: Cloquet River from Indian Lake to Island Lake (35 miles). Canoe camping on a relatively remote, scenic, wildlife rich section of the Cloquet. Requires basic river canoeing and wilderness camping skills. Not intended as a beginner trip. We will use the Rover's Royalex canoes or personal boats of equivalent construction.

According to information found on the DNR website, the part of the Cloquet we'd be on consists mostly of Class I and Class II rapids. Rapids are rated Class I through Class VI, with Class I being the easiest. Class II is described as

"Rapids with waves up to three feet high. Some maneuvering is required."

Class status also can change with the depth and speed of the water.
Even though it had been a rather rainy week, the river was not high. Hank emailed the status of the Cloquet a couple days before the trip:

"Cloquet level is 3.6', just inside the DNR definition of medium flow (3.5' to 5.5'). Let's do it. We may scrape now and then."

Regarding gear and food, Hank informed us:

"...We are not particularly restricted by either weight or volume as long as things can be lashed in and tolerate water...."

Now, I'm getting scared.
The three of us assembled at my house on Saturday morning. We took two vehicles and dropped one off at Island Lake, our end point.

(from DNR website)

We reached Indian Lake by early afternoon and loaded our gear into two canoes. It was somewhat overcast, but it felt good to be on the water, embarking on a three-day adventure.

Hank, Walli, John
Indian Lake

It was a challenge to find the beginning of the river, but soon we were on our way.

The Cloquet River

When it came to rapids, John and I were beginners.
From Hank we learned to check out the rapids on foot first. We learned how to approach the top of the rapids and how to communicate to each other while running them. Hank taught us special strokes to slow, steer, avoid rocks, and turn sharply.
Hank was our hero.

John pondered the wisdom of attempting this next set of rapids . . .

. . . while Hank showed us how it's done.

John and I shared a Blue Hole Cumberland and Hank soloed an Oldtown Kennebec. Each canoe weighed about 100 lbs. The strong current kept Hank very busy.

Here's something else I learned on this trip:
Gnats will hover around the tallest part of an object. Gnats are aplenty along the river banks. When you stop for lunch, wear your lifejacket on you head like a headdress. It really works!

We paddled about 10 miles before stopping for the night at our first campsite. The grilled chicken that night was the best I'd ever eaten.

After a delicious breakfast, we started out on a full day of paddling.

The day was beautiful.

And there were many more sets of rapids to challenge us.

At one point, we came upon a fallen tree. It spanned the whole river, so we hauled our boats out and portaged around it.

Our planned second night's campsite, about 10 miles down river, was occupied. The next campsite was about another 10 miles away. So, we started searching the river bank, looking for a solid place to set up camp.

This sandbar was perfect. It was nearing dark when we came upon it. Losing light and starting to get hungry, we pitched our tents and gathered wood for the mandatory evening fire.

In the morning, we prepared for the final part of our journey.

We paddled gently past these geese; they barely stirred in our presence.

The wildlife

Too soon, we came upon Island Lake.

All told, we went through about 7-8 sets of rapids on this trip. We didn't turn our canoes over, but John and I did get hung up on rocks at one point. Hank was able to talk us through it without mishap.

Not wanting to leave, we slowly paddled over the lake toward the parking lot where John's car was waiting.

John, Walli, Hank
Island Lake

Fun was had by all.

Back to Walli White Home Page

Back to Walli White Trips Page

Since April 8, 2001, you are visitor

Last updated: April 8, 2001

ww@walliwhite.com