EARTH DAY FOR 2020 HAS BEEN CANCELLED DO TO COVID-19

PADDLE THE GRAND RIVER HEADWATERS JUNE 19-21, 2021

Although not officially part of the Expedition, the folks in the Upper section are looking to see if there are any Expedition 2020 paddlers interested in doing a pre-expedition three day paddle of the headwaters starting with the Jackson County sources of both branches of the Grand River. Therefore, such participants can say they paddled ALL of the Grand River (approximately 265 miles).

Even though GREAT (Grand River Environmental Action Team) occasionally has run public paddle trips on these routes, be aware that much of it will not have recently been chain sawed to remove obstructions. Therefore participants should be ready to pull their boats over or around down trees. Possible low water could involve some wading.

There are no registration fees as participants can bring their own breakfast and lunch food, while we will eat the two dinners at local restaurants.

The plan is to arrive early afternoon Friday, June 19 at Michigan Center to do the two hour paddle of the short North Branch and Saturday, June 20 morning to start at the source of the main branch, the very beautiful and wild Grand Lake, to paddle 7-8 hours through the river’s most pristine stretches. Sunday morning we will finish up with a 4 hour paddle to Vandercook Lake, giving participants reasonable time to drive home.

The event will be limited to 15 hardy paddlers. Plans are being made for tent sleeping or cabin accommodations with bathroom and hot water facilities. If interested, please contact Jim Seitz (517-795-9215) or seitz.jim@gmail.com.