Paddling AuSable River
Grayling, MI
August 25-30, 2019
Co-Trip Leaders: Jill Whelan and Diane Osborn
Type of Trip: Paddling/Camping
Trip Cost/Deposit: $388/$194
Cancellation Date and full payment: June 25, 2019
Wilderness Level: 3 Some sections will be remote and EMS may be more than 2 hours away
Trip Difficulty: Relatively Easy Paddling, but some canoeing experience would be helpful. Must have camping experience.
Group Size: 8/7 Maximum/Minimum
Adults Only
Overview: The AuSable River in northern Michigan is known as one of the great recreational canoeing rivers in the Midwest. Clear water, spring fed, constant flow, easy access and attractive surroundings make the AuSable an ideal river trip for beginners and also has long be known as one of the best trout streams in the Midwest. It is also the home of the longest non-stop professional canoe race and the oldest continual canoe race in the United States – the AuSable Marathon.
This would be a great trip for those newer members in CIWC who have not had a chance to do much in the way of overnight trips.
Itinerary: Our plan is to travel in the CIWC van to Grayling, Michigan on Sunday, August 25th and to stay with an outfitter in Grayling, MI at their amazing Bed and Breakfast Inn. (Another CIWC group stayed there a few days ago and highly recommends that we book with this place – canoeborchers.com). We will start our paddling trip on Monday the 26th and travel about 49 miles over 4 days and 3 nights to a takeout near Mio Dam. Camping those three nights will be at State Forest Campsites along the river that have potable water, toilets and picnic tables – so not totally primitive, but without road access. After our takeout on Thursday, August 29 we will stay again at the outfitter’s B&B. Then on Friday, August 30 we’ll head home – about a 6 hour drive to Indianapolis.
Meals: The following meals are included in the trip plan / price. All breakfasts from Monday through Friday. Two of those breakfasts will be at the B&B. Plus all dinners from Monday through Wednesday. Thursday evening dinner in Graying, all lunches and all meals while travelling are “on your own”. Anyone with special diet requirements should contact the leaders – sometimes we can “work around” otherwise you may have to bring all your own food.
Clothing and Gear: Although it will be summertime, quick dry clothing is recommended for a canoe trip. And, you should have a change of clothes with you in your pack. It will not be necessary to have special foot ware but open toed sandals are not recommended while paddling. Old tennis shoes would be fine. Have dry shoes for camp. A camping equipment list will be provided well in advance of the departure date, which will include suggestions on dry bags. The club can loan tents and has a few packs available. Life jackets are required. If you do not have a life jacket (PFD) the outfitter will supply one free of charge.
Preparation: Participants should be in reasonably good physical shape to be able to paddle up to 6 hours a day (paddling will not be demanding) and have some camping experience. Beginner trips will be available in the spring for those wanting to refresh their camping knowledge. For those who may not be sure of their canoeing ability (which is not technical) we can arrange a practice paddle on a local stream sometime before the trip. If you have canoed before you are probably OK.
Trip Price: You must pay one-half of the trip price upfront and the balance by the cancellation date. (Please read the Reservation and Cancellation Policy on the web site – under Club Info). The price also includes travel in the CIWC van, all lodging and camping costs, canoe rental plus meals itemized above.
Required Forms: All overnight trips require a medical form. As soon as you receive a blank form, fill it out and send it to the email address given in the instructions. It will be kept confidential and returned or destroyed after the trip. You will also have to sign a waiver form. Examples are given on the web site (Club Info).
More information: Will be sent to you as we prepare for the trip.
Questions should be directed to ciwcinfo@gmail.com
All trip participants must fill out and submit a CIWC Medical Form and Long Waiver Form.
