Wolf, WI

Surfing @ Hansen's

Surfing @ Hansen's
Photo of Helge Klockow by Mark Mastalski taken June 2002

Gauge Information

River Description

Commonly referred to as Section III of the Wolf, this 10.3 mile stretch includes several Class II+ (III) rapids and some long flatwater stretches. With most of the river bank under state ownership, you get the feeling of paddling in a wilderness setting.

Paddlers often run an abbreviated section (called "Short III") by putting in at the DNR landing off of County Highway M. This put-in is below Twenty-Day Rapid and above Boy Scout, making for a 3.9 mile trip catching the three main drops.

The full run begins at Langlade. You'll paddle about four miles through stretches of flatwater with a few Class I and II rapids before reaching an obvious horizon line as the river narrows. Twenty-Day Rapid (Class II+) is short but has a steep pitch. It is followed by three miles of flatwater before you reach Boy Scout Rapid. Midway through this flatwater you will come across the landing which is the put-in for "Short III".

A footbridge signals Boy Scout Rapid (named for the Scout camp on river left). Class II rapids lead to a second footbridge, which is the heart of this half-mile rapid. In high water, Boy Scout rapid becomes pushy. Deaths have occurred there, and the rocks under the second footbridge are known to have caused foot-pins.

A mile further downstream you'll find Hansen's Rapid. You can scout the rapid from a large eddy on river right, just below the entrance. Just across from this eddy is a very consistent side-surfing wave often filled with kayaks.

Another 1.5 miles downstream is the last pitch, Gilmore's Mistake, which can be scouted on the left. A large shelf of rocks (and its accessibility) makes this rapid the perfect place for spectators and park-and-play kayakers.

The rapid itself is a constriction with good surfing and playboating possibilities, followed by a shelf drop. Below the drop is a hole frequented by rodeo boaters. Be warned that the hole is boney at low levels. Face plants here usually mean some bruises or blood, or both.

A short bit of boulder-garden rapids and one final ledge/drop lead to the take out immediately around this left-hand-bend on river left.

Please note: this access point is privately owned by Buettner's Wild Wolf Inn. Don't drive your car down to the take-out point. Carry your boat to the boater's parking lot. Don't let your dog run around unleashed. Spend a few dollars at the bar and restaurant to thank the owners for access.