Pine
B) Stevens Lake Rd to Chipmunk Rapids (9.9 miles)
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 9.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 8 fpm |
| Gauge | Pine River Below Pine R Powerplant Nr Florence, Wi |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 2.79 ftlow runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 27, 2025 |
River Description
With 80% of its length as flowing flatwater, this beautiful stretch of the Pine River is best considered as a way to add 1.3 miles of class 1-2 rapids to a trip from Hwy 55 by taking out at Hwy 139. Or, it could be a way to add some distance and a rapids onto a downriver trip by starting above Chipmunk Rapids. The whole trip from Stevens Lake Rd to Chipmunk Rapids takes about 4 hours.
The Pine River is a state of Wisconsin designated Wild River however, all of the public-owned riparian land along this section of the Pine is USFS land that is managed similar to but not the same as WI DNR managed land further downriver. Camping, continuously running artesian spring water, and pit-toilet are available at the USFS campground at Chipmunk Rapids.
River Features
Stevens Lake Rd. Put-in
Put-in is on river-left, upriver of the bridge. Parking is along the road only.
Hwy 139
This optional takeout is on river-left just downriver from the bridge. Current is swift so be in place to make the eddy and avoid getting swept downriver. There is a parking area off the NE guardrail end of the bridge.
Swifts and Class 1 rapids continue for another 0.6 miles past the bridge.
Fay Lake Rd. Bridge
This is another optional takeout and a way to adjust trip length. Access is undeveloped but generally on river-left, upriver of the bridge. Parking is along the road.
Chipmunk Rapids Takeout
The landing is tucked in on river-right, 150 feet downriver from the bridge. There is a staff gauge mounted on the downriver, river-right side of the center bridge support (interpretation in tab on flow). 100 feet up the path to the parking lot is the continuously running artesian spring water. The USFS campground starts just to the left as you get to the parking lot. A pit-toilet building is available
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportAt this higher than usual flow level, waves increase but complexity is reduced (drops to a fast class 1).