See the PICS here!

I found the perfect trip for this weekend.  Its not a first trip paddle for all of us – but it will be a unique trip for all.  And on some of the best water in Michigan.

Here’s how it flows. 

We will meet on Friday to camp at the Red Bridge campground on the Manistee River outside of Mesick.  On Saturday, we’ll catch a great breakfast in town, and then put our boats in at the M-117 bridge west of Mesick – or the next stop up – depending on how energized everyone is for miles.  We’ll float down through the sand flats in the backwater of Hodenpyle pond and take the long crossing across the beautiful lake.  All the Oak trees on the hills surrounding should be awesome brown by this time – with the yellowing leaves still tacked to a few poplar branches – Hemlocks, etc.  A few miles into it, we come to the dam and will portage around to the gorgeous Hodenpyle to Red Bridge run of four hours.  This will dump us right at our campsite towards the end of the day.  Camp will already be setup from Friday so we can work on a fireside dinner, or head into town to the Buck Snort for dinner.  Sunday breakfast will be at Garrett’s Corner at M-55 and M-37.  That is where we will split up for our way home.

For those who want to join us, this will be a gorgeous trip in cool weather.  I doubt we see another boat on the water.  We may spot hikers waking the trails over the water – maybe another camper at Red Bridge.  Otherwise, we own the water and the woods.

A great forecast for Sat and Sun: http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/weekend/USMI0443

All in!

Scott.