Pine River News and Conditions 4/13/2010

Our 2010 Trash Trudge is Completed: As is always the case it was pure joy to again walk the river flats and crawl around on logjams to remove litter that had been left behind, intentionally or not so. We didn't quite get done all that we wanted to, but that's all good, leaves more fun for next year. The first photo is of Jake with the canoe full of trash we (Jake & his old man) picked on the river left flats and jams between Skookum Access Site and Walker Bridge. We found the normal spectrum of trash, the most peculiar of which was some old rusty paint cans, still containing liquid paints or stains. And then a bunch of clay pigeons at two sites where folks (or fools) continue to shoot clays out over the river.

The second and third photos are of trash that Andrew Shankland and Josh Taylor picked from the flats and jams between Walker Bridge and Elm Flats. They cleaned both sides of the river. Though we call it fun, because it is so gratifying, and amen it is, make no mistake, it is also very physically demanding. Traversing the slopes, climbing up and down the riverbanks, negotiating the clay, the creeks, the briar thickets, etc. really tests your mettle. And these two guys did this on a very windy day with it snowing off and on all day. The wimpy Miltners picked a sunny 65 degree day to do their stretch

But anyway, huge thanks and kudos to Andrew and Josh, two incredible friends of the Pine River. The second photo is of the trash they picked between Walker & Lincoln. I tipped the 55-gallon drum over to show they almost filled it too, emptying some of their mesh bags in it so they could re-use them.

The third photo is of the trash they picked between Lincoln Access Site and Elm Flats Access Site. A beautiful camouflage waist pack with a nice buck knife in it and an old USFS boundary sign that the porcupines had weather had gotten the best of were among the more curious finds in that stretch.

River Conditions: The usual winter-time accumulation of woody debris continues to have the river blocked in several places, and dangerously constricted in others. Tomorrow, 4/14, I will be doing the safety/navigation work between Skookum and Walker. So until Mother Nature decides to alter things, that stretch will be good to go after tomorrow.

On Thursday and Friday, we will be floating the river From Lincoln to Low Bridge with the USFS Fisheries personnel and a representative from the Pine River Association. We do this to look at the safety hazards the logjams and new wood in the river present, and to discuss how best to remedy them while also addressing potential impacts to the fishery.

Next week, weather and water levels allowing, we will then be doing the necessary safety work on the river. I will post it right here as soon as we get it completed.

River Country Funathons: We're jazzed that our new website which will show the menu of Fun-Athons, Dualathlons, and Triathlons we've put together for a new and exciting way for the public to enjoy our beautiful river valleys will soon be completed. Stay tuned!

Get the wheels of your next great river adventure rolling today!!

See you out there, Mark & Val

Reminders for folks paddling their personal craft: Reminders for folks paddling their personal craft: If you are bringing your own craft, you will need to buy USFS Parking Passes @$5/day, $15/week for your vehicles. Also remember that from May 15th to September 10th, you must obtain river-use permit(s) from the USFS. Permits can again be reserved through the US Forest Service Baldwin District Office for $2/craft. Call 231-745-4631 to check availability and reserve your permits.

An interesting statistic …..24% percent of our rental guests actually own their own craft, but find it much cheaper and easier to rent ours. Why? It's easy and it saves you money. When you rent from us, we pay for your boat permits and parking passes. And the bigger upside is that not having boats on the top of your vehicle significantly improves your gas mileage, it saves you from having to load them, unload them, risk losing them, shuttle them around while here(or pay us to do your shuttle), and then wash them up and put them away when you get back home.

Please Remember: Alcohol and river-sports are a destructive mix. For safety, social, and resource protection considerations, please wait until you're off the river and off the road, before partaking of any alcohol. Please also remember that Styrofoam packaging or coolers, glass, water balloons, and firecrackers are prohibited on the river. Thanks for preventing litter by using your litter-bag and making sure all cargo is securely tied to your craft.