Escanaba, M.Br.
C) 1.2 mile above CR565 to 0.4 mile below CR565 (1.6 miles)
| Difficulty | II-IV |
| Length | 1.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 38 fpm |
| Gauge | Escanaba, M.br. Lower |
| Flow Rate as of 53 minutes | 268 cfslow runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | September 24, 2016 |
River Description
This short section containing about six good rapids will most often be included as the conclusion of the upper run. I have opted to list it separately, since many boaters (at least on some occasion) may not want (or have time) to paddle the longer run with all it's flatwater, but may be looking for some good action in this area. Some examples:
(1) if weather is cold and nasty, but you really want to paddle something, or
(2) if you had hoped to catch the Yellow Dog or the Carp, but found them too low . . . now the day is half-shot, but you want to get on the water, or
(3) you're just not sure you want to deal with all of the early drops (likely portages for less confident or experienced paddlers).
This short piece should fill the bill, with a nice mix of drops: a short squeeze (with some possible play), a blind twisting (around an island) drop, a boulder-garden rock-dodge, a constricted little flume, another boulder-garden, and a short boof drop.
Put-in is at the end of a dead-end road about 0.8 mile north of the CR565 bridge. Land is all privately held. Please do not drive (or park vehicles) on the lawn. Park away from the house, and secure permission (if owners appear to be present). Property owner at this location (as put-in for the lower stretch and listed take-out for the upper stretch) have been very boater-friendly by all reports thus far. PLEASE BE ON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOR so as not to jeopardize this for all future boaters of these runs!
The take-out is also all privately held. Please make every attempt to secure permission before parking a vehicle on or near any private property and trespassing to exit the river. The best take out would be from one of the two houses at the end of the road which parallels the river downstream-left (just north from the CR565 brid
...River Features
Put In
Take Out
Hump Rock
The first drop on the lower section comes where a hump of rock funnels the flow to river right. Not overly complex of a drop, some play may be possible either in the drop or at a couple minor ledge/waves downstream.
Logjam Island
A massive logjam has (for years) accumulated at the head of an island, all but blocking the flow of the river. Two routes may be possible.
If passage is clear to the right, the river takes a round-house turn, losing the gradient gradually, through continuous waves. Caution (scouting, or careful boat-scouting) is urged, as there is not likely to be much for eddies if you need to break out to avoid any wood which may be lodged round the bend out of sight.
If you can make it over, around, or through the wood which generally blocks the left side, water drops off a steeper plunge, to rejoin flow which comes around from the right. Caution! There are some piton rocks on this route!
The rejoined flows then zig and zag a bit, through waves and a few holes before the action subsides.
Boulder Garden
A fine rock garden provides a bit of 'boogie water'.
5-6-5 Rapids
As the river head toward and under the bridge for highway 565, it accelerates through a great series of ledges, waves, and holes. At moderate-to-high flows, this will be a good hanful of action! Water fans out across a final bedrock intrusion before hitting the calm of a pool just downstream of the bridge.
Lower 5-6-5
After a brief pause, the action picks up, tripping down a boulder-bed drop, across a couple ledges, twisting to the right, before hiting another good pool.
'Homme Side'/'Sweet Side'
Downstream of the take-out, there is one more drop. Paddle down to where an island splits the flow. Take out on the island to scout both sides of this drop.
River right (at most flows) is a pretty gnarly mess. It has been run, but it is not trivial. I call this the 'Homme Side' (pronounced rather like 'homicide') since it looks to me to be a man-killer. Also in reference to 'Homme', French for 'man', since if you can find a line that you like, you're a better man than I am!
River left is far simpler (though can trick you up). A couple small bedrock intrusions (ledge/waves) twist the current left and right. A shoreline eddy allows you to collect your thoughts and aim toward a good horizon line for a sweet boof. In honor of this, I call this the 'Sweet Side' (often intentionally mispronounced to sound rather like 'suicide', as counterpoint to the other drop). A short boiling pool quickly spills across shallow rock to rejoin flow from the right of the island.
After running whichever side(s) to your heart's content, carry back to the top of the island, and paddle upstream in the slackwater above to get to your vehicle(s) (assuming you have found permission to park somewhere in this area.
*Possible Alternate Exit*
If/when permission for access/egress is not found from any private property owner around CR565 (to portage and paddle back upstream of HS/SS), on at least one occasion in the past, we parked at a wide spot (short of the bridge over Flopper Creek) on a road back into the woods, hiked down to have a look at the confluence of M.Br.Esc with Flopper Creek (to have a good mental image of what we would be looking for), and used this as a take-out.
If this road has not been gated or posted against trespass (uncertain/unknown at this time), it may be an option. We make no warranty regarding legality of this location. (I.E., do so at your own comfort, risk, and peril).
Hwy.35
Your 'last bet' option for take-out is to paddle down to here.
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