Only a few streams in southern Wisconsin possess continual runs of rapids. Therefore, most of the trips feature calm water punctuated by occasional manageable (Class I) rapids, and only one trip contains Class II rapids (Little Platte River). Often, the only rapids are “one and done” drops at isolated ledges or below bridges. Almost always, these can be portaged around. You will find several trips with Class I rapids but only a few that have sustained stretches of this kind of light whitewater (the Beaver Dam River and Baraboo River D trips, for instance). Keep in mind that water levels fluctuate daily, sometimes hourly. So, during high-water conditions, a normally Class I rapid could be technically considered a Class II.
CANOE OR KAYAK Due to the narrow and meandering nature of some of the streams included in this book, I have offered suggestions on which type of boat is better suited for a specific trip, canoe or kayak. With few exceptions, a canoe can go wherever a kayak can, but sometimes it’s easier in a kayak (as when low-hanging branches, low-clearance bridges, or slim pass-through situations are involved).
SKILL LEVEL As I’ve mentioned, this book strives to be all-inclusive, with some trips more suited for beginners and others for more experienced paddlers. I have made a recommendation for one or the other under skill level, although in most cases a trip will appeal to both types of paddler. For example, a beginner should not try her luck on the Mecan River on account of its meandering nature and occasional obstacles. Or a stream may simply be too long for beginners to attempt in one day. (Most folks new to running wouldn’t sign up for a marathon.)
Some streams in this book (such as Badfish Creek) will require good boat control and knowledge of reading a river, meaning you’re not merely at the mercy of the current like a runaway train without brakes and you can discern what obstacles lie ahead before encountering them. It simply takes experience (and maybe taking a lesson) to develop these skills. But just because some trips have skill levels rated as “Beginner” does not mean that experienced paddlers will be bored. Most of the trips in this book will appeal to both types of paddler simply on account of the opportunity they offer to witness natural beauty.
TIME OF YEAR TO PADDLE Recommendations for the best time of year to paddle for each trip are based upon a variety of factors. A high-gradient stream, for example, will be more runnable after the snow and ice melt or after a hard rain falls. Some recommendations are based on the likelihood of witnessing a surge of dazzling wildflowers in late spring or a brilliant blaze of foliage in early autumn. Sometimes it’s preferable to paddle a stream when the trees are bare to better appreciate the landscape and hills. Sometimes you’ll want to time a trip in accordance with flight migrations of birds. Conversely, there are times to avoid a place because of unbecoming algae blooms or mucky duckweed, mosquitoes, ticks, tourists, or the high heat of summer. These are simply tips based on my own experience, not advisories. Just because I’ve recommended a spring trip doesn’t mean a summer trip won’t work for you.
LANDSCAPE A smorgasbord of paddling environments within 60 miles of Madison awaits exploration, ranging from urban water trails to prairie streams, recreational lakes to floodplain swamps, flat pastureland to towering bluffs, and it is these types of environments that are listed alongside the landscape descriptor.
Finally, in the freestanding Shuttle section of each trip profile, you will find directions in reverse—since, of course, you want to drop a vehicle at the take-out (so it will be there waiting for you at trip’s end), then drive a separate vehicle to the put-in. All of these trips can be shuttled by bicycle, and several even offer dedicated bike-trail shuttle options. Personally, I love the paddle-and-pedal combo (and there is a list of these in Trips at a Glance). It’s a great workout, good for the environment, and a means of experiencing the landscape from a different perspective. I have noted when there is a distinct difference between bike-shuttle and car-shuttle routes. Otherwise, they are the same.
Trips Requiring Special Passes
At least two trips in this book require a Wisconsin State Parks vehicle-admission sticker ($28 annually or $8 daily): Devil’s Lake State Park (Trip 50) and Governor Dodge State Park (Trip 33). If you leave a vehicle within the boundaries of Mirror Lake State Park (Trip 49), you’ll need a sticker here, too.
Furthermore, if you do a bike shuttle on a dedicated trail, you will need a Wisconsin State Trail sticker ($25 annually or $5 daily). Visit tinyurl.com/witrailpassfees for details. If you do a bike shuttle on the two Pecatonica River trips (Trips 36 and 37), you will need a separate Cheese Country Trail sticker ($15 annually); for details, visit tricountytrails.com and click “Trail Stickers” on the left.
Preparing for Rapids and Obstructions (and Wind)
Keep the following in mind: An empty boat stays afloat, even in rapids; it’s when humans get involved that all bets are off. As in most situations that trigger adrenaline, when paddling it’s in your best interest to always stay calm while remaining mindful of your environment. Adapting to the changing dynamics of the current as well as to “suddenly appearing” boulders or tree branches is critical to keeping safe and dry.
Rapids (explained in more detail in the discussion earlier in this introduction regarding water type) are exhilarating but can pose certain dangers, not the least of which are the unexpected objects in water that change its flow. In a certain sense, and for the purposes of the paddling environments you’ll find in this book, paddling in rapids is all about the Vs—from upstream, an obstruction in water creates two angles of deflected current that resemble the letter V. Think of these as signals that you’re coming to a possible barrier to avoid. By contrast, your best friend is the inverted V. That’s usually where there is the most water and the least chance of collision. Think of it as an arrow pointing you in the right direction for billowy fun.
Obstacles are a big part of paddling, so it’s important to consider how they can affect your trip. Sometimes, a strong current can broach (pin) the boat sideways against an obstacle such as a downed tree, which can damage the boat and trap the paddler. If this happens, always lean toward the object the boat is pressed against, never toward the current. When leaning into the obstruction, one can reasonably free oneself by scooting/rocking back and forth or by getting out of the boat and pulling it over the obstruction. (By contrast, if you lean into the current, it will immediately fill up your boat, spin you upside down, and drag the boat beneath the obstruction. This can be extremely dangerous.)
Because there are potential dangers to any paddling excursion, take time to practice the techniques (such as forward and reverse strokes, sweeps and low braces) that enable you to easily maneuver your canoe or kayak. This will help you learn how to maximize your efficiency and not waste energy. Practice your rescue skills as well; this is imperative. Learning how to safely roll or reenter your kayak from the water should you submerge is paramount (see below).
A note about wind: When you’re on the water, especially in flat environments with sparse trees that are highly susceptible