Paddling AuSable National Scenic River
AuSable National Scenic River
August 4-9, 2024
Co-Trip Leaders: Dave Hoffmeyer and Linda Conti
Type of Trip: Paddling/Camping
Trip Cost/Deposit: $430/$215
Cancellation Date and full payment: May 4, 2024
Wilderness Level: 3 Some sections will be remote and EMS may be more than 2 hours away
Trip Difficulty: Moderate, 6-10 miles, some elevation
Policy on Fitness Self-Assessment
Level 2: Primarily applies to trips in which we carry only day packs. In one day, we can hike up to 9 miles and 4500 feet of elevation gain on maintained trails, or up to 7 miles and 2000 feet of elevation gain on more rugged, less-maintained trails. For a Level 2 trip you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in a day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a light day pack. If a backpacking trip has a Level 2 rating, it means the distances are 2-4 miles with little elevation gain/loss.
Group Size: 10/6 Maximum/Minimum
Adults and High School Youth (with parent)
***Before registering***
While considering your participation in CIWC trips, be aware that some trips will involve shared transportation, lodging, and other activities. Each participant is encouraged to evaluate your comfort level with such arrangements based on your health condition, vaccination status, and unknown COVID positivity rates at the time of the trip. Members are encouraged to review the COVID waiver as a part of this evaluation.
This is one of the easier paddles for a multi overnight. We will be paddling the famed Au Sable National Scenic River. Last time we did this trip we counted 11 Bald Eagles! We have done this trip in the past and everyone loved it! If you have never done an overnight paddle trip this is a great one for you.
After leaving Indianapolis, we will spend the first night at Borcher’s Bed and Breakfast and Canoe Livery, which we have used in the past. After a hearty Breakfast we will walk out into the front yard and get into our canoes for 4 days of paddling. Each day will consist of 6-8 hours of paddling and the only portage is over a dam on the last day.
You will need to provide your own meals, but we do have the option to walk about 1.5 miles into town for dinner on the third night. After being shuttled back to Grayling by the outfitter, we will drive about 40 minutes to camp at Dave Hoffmeyer’s cabin before heading home on Friday August 9th.
Some experience paddling is required as are always wearing personal flotation devices when on the river.
Questions may be submitted to ciwcinfo@gmail.com.
All trip participants must fill out and submit a CIWC Medical Form and Long Waiver Form.
Effective on all trips, there will be a $50 non refundable registration fee. This fee will be assessed to those who sign up for a trip, get on the roster and then later cancel. Even cancelling before the cancel date. Those who never make the active roster (i.e. those who stay on the waitlist) will NOT be charged the $50 cancellation fee.
