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Registration is Now Open for 2014 SCRA Paddle

Next year’s trip organized by the St. Croix River Association will explore 100 miles of river.

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St. Croix River Association executive director Deb Ryun kayaks down the Namekagon during the 2013 paddle.
St. Croix River Association executive director Deb Ryun kayaks down the Namekagon during the 2013 paddle.

The St. Croix River Association has announced the route and dates for next summer’s annual paddle trip, and registration opened December 12. This year’s trip will run June 14-20, starting at Danbury, WI and finishing at Somerset, WI.

Paddlers will see about 100 of the St. Croix’s 170 miles over the six days and nights. The first night will be at historic Forts Folle Avoine on the Yellow River. The museum is organizing a kick-off for paddlers, who will follow the route of the fur traders, Ojibwe, Dakota, and voyageurs who set off on their own journeys from the forts 210 years ago.

The trip is partially supported. SCRA hauls paddlers’ overnight gear, provides a shuttle, and supplies kitchen equipment. Campsites are prearranged, including several state parks, one private campground, and Eagle’s Nest, a National Park Service group site above Osceola. A few meals are also included in the cost of registration. Participants provide their own canoe or kayak, PFD (required), and paddle. Each paddler can bring up to 50 pounds of gear to be transported by the truck everyday.

In an email, SCRA executive director Deb Ryun wrote, “One question we hear a lot is, do we stay together on the river as a group, or put another way, how can I have a quiet experience with so many people? We have a river lead and sweep. You don’t get ahead of the lead or fall behind the sweep, but what you do in between is up to you. The river route is long and vessels spread out,  people have varying paddle skill levels, and some stop to enjoy the sights or fish; you make this the experience you desire.”

Registration is limited to 80 people, and the fee is $300 per paddler. Reserve a spot here.

Relive last year’s SCRA trip on the Namekagon River with photos, blog posts and more here.

Paddles on the 2013 trip smile in the sun their last night on the Namekagon River.
Paddles on the 2013 trip smile in the sun their last night on the Namekagon River.

2014 Route and Itinerary

Saturday, June 14       
Shuttle Day
Participants will meet at the TAKE OUT spot, Fred. C. Anderson Scout Camp, near Somerset, WI, where your car will have a week’s vacation. You and your boat/gear will depart mid-day for the trip north to the overnight campsite at Forts Folle Avoine. This is an original fort site on the banks of the Yellow River-there may be some time to be on the water that afternoon! Staff at the Forte will create a memorable kick-off evening.

Sunday, June 15  
Riverside to just above Thayers Landing, 13.4 miles
Overnight at St. Croix Haven Campground, off-river camping in a private campground; water, showers, flush toilets, swimming, and a small store are on-site at this remote facility.

Jim Fitzpatrick, Bill Cook, and Mary Paul on the 2013 Namekagon paddle.
Jim Fitzpatrick, Bill Cook, and Mary Paul on the 2013 Namekagon paddle.

Monday, June 16
Thayers Landing to Sand Creek Landing, 13.6 miles
Overnight at St. Croix State Park, off-river camping in the MN state park; water, showers & flush toilets at this remote site.

Tuesday, June 17
Sand Creek Landing to Hwy 70 Landing, 15 miles
Overnight at Gov Knowles State Forest Campground, off-river camping in the WI state park; water and pit toilets at this remote site.

Wednesday, June 18
Hwy 70 Landing to Sunrise Landing, 18 miles
Overnight at Wild River State Park, off-river camping in the MN state park; water, showers, and flush toilets at this remote site.

Lydia Brawner and Andre Lougee on the 2013 Namekagon paddle.
Lydia Brawner and Andre Lougee on the 2013 Namekagon paddle.

Thursday, June 19
Wild River State Park main landing to Lions Park, then to Eagle’s Nest NPS group site, 12 miles
Overnight at Eagle’s Nest, on-river camping; water and pit toilets at this remote site. There will be a shuttle around the dam in St. Croix Falls, with a lunch/celebration at Lions Park.

Friday, June 20
Eagle’s Nest to Fred C. Anderson Scout Camp, 21 miles
The final takeout is where you left your car. This is a fairly long day, but no worries; we’ll have a terrific lunch stop at Marine on St. Croix, mile 13, to make sure you have the energy to finish this trip well.