Salmon Trout
confluence of W Br to Cty 550 (10.8 miles) **Access Issues **
| Difficulty | III-V |
| Length | 8.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 49 fpm |
| Gauge | Salmon Trout River Near Big Bay, Mi |
| Flow Rate as of 25 minutes | 9 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | December 28, 2024 |
River Description
The Salmon Trout River of Marquette County has long been a 'Holy Grail' of sorts for those who have explored the diverse and challenging whitewater rivers of Michigan's Upper Peninsula ('the U.P.'). Though this reach was likely run many times by the loggers that cut the area in the late 1800s and extensively utilized the river to transport the timber, I am not aware of any runs by modern recreational paddlers. The reason is that much of this reach is contained within the bounds of the Huron Mountain Club (HMC).
In the late 1800s, a large tract of primarily cut-over land was purchased for the creation of a private hunting and fishing reserve. The initial investors in the HMC were men of wealth from the Marquette area but the club began drawing a downstate and east coast patrician clientele as transportation options to the area improved. A measure of the degree of the club's exclusivity may be understood when one realizes that even Henry Ford (founder of the Ford Motor Company and ranking industrialist of his day) was kept on the waiting list for a number of years before gaining entrance, and then only because he was purportedly instrumental in defeating a proposed extension of Michigan State Hwy 35 that would have passed through HMC lands. (To this day, membership is reportedly only 50!)
The HMC has always strongly held to conservative conservation in the style popularized by Theodore Roosevelt. In the 1930s, noted conservationist Aldo Leopold was hired to design a forestry management program for them. They have preserved the remaining old-growth hardwood stands and have endeavored to restore the other lands within their aegis to their natural state. The beauty of the Huron Mountains is such that in the 1950s, there was an attempt to create a National Park in this area, an action which was swiftly and soundly defeated by HMC actions. They continue their private conservation efforts today and encourage scientific research within the uni
...River Features
Put In: Northwestern Road at W.Br.Salmon Trout
As mentioned in the main description, put-in is from a logging road which is not plowed during the winter months. Thus, during the prime water season (mid-late April), access would likely require creative shuttle arrangements (snowmobiles/ATVs).
NOTE: After passing the cabins at Dodge City, Northwestern Road crosses (1) a small unnamed (on maps that I have found) trib, (2) the (main stem) Salmon Trout, (3) another unnamed tributary, and then (4) the West Branch Salmon Trout. Putting in at the first crossing of the main stem would add 0.65 mile of low gradient (and likely high deadfall) paddling. We feel using the W.Br. (to either put-in, or drag in alongside to the confluence with the main stem) is likely a better choice.
Approximate HMC Boundary
Huron Mountain Club owns a tract of about 19,000 acres (nearly 30 square miles), and reportedly is quite strict at policing access and trespass.
Upper Falls
Hogback Falls
At 3 2/3 miles, the Salmon Trout takes a sharp hook to the right (South) and reaches the confluence with the East Branch Salmon Trout (nearly equal in size). Hogback Falls will not be on your run, but on the East Branch of the river. (The 'distance' listed here is the mile marker for the confluence with that other stream.) It could be worth a hike to check out (other than it would be about 5/6 of a mile).
Middle Falls
Roughly midway between this ('Middle') falls and the next ('Lower') falls, two smaller tribs come in, in quick succession. The first (at mile 5.75) is Snake Creek, the second (at mile 5.83) is Clear Creek. A very short distance up Clear Creek, there is a 'Lower Dam' marked on topos, and (not far upstream of that) the creek seems to have considerable gradient which could be worth a look, though the creek is quite small. A road marked 'Blind 35' runs quite near this stream, and heads back near Middle Falls. (Again, all of this would be 'off-limits', within the Huron Mountain Club.)
Lower Falls
Approximate HMC Boundary
Approximate western boundary of the HMC. Just downstream of this point (I believe outside of HMC property), the river swings sharply south, then rounds what is labeled 'Darby Bend' to resume heading north, then entering a series of meandering switchbacks in very low-gradient run-out the rest of the way to the listed take-out (and beyond to Lake Superior).
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThanks Dag, this is a great write-up of the tenuous access situation.
Jason Robertson
Access Director
American Whitewater