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Select a Play Plan!

• Crystal Lake Power Boating 121-1
• East Bay Power Boating 121-1
• Elk Lake Power Boating 121-1
• Glen Lakes Power Boating 121-1
• Lake Charlevoix Power Boating 121-1
• Lake Leelanau Power Boating 121-1
• Lake Skegemog Power Boating 121-1
• Spider Lakes Power Boating 121-1
• Torch Lake Power Boating 121-1
• Walloon Lake Power Boating 121-1
• West Bay Power Boating 121-1

Camping Information

Camping Gear Quality

The quality of the gear that you use for camping, most often based on the price you pay, is dependent on one primary component of camping.

How long will you stay in the camp gear, how many nights?

Then, determine how difficult to attain a Plan B. Meaning if anything goes bad, how far is it to civilization to get medical care, warmth and/ or dryness.

So if only staying one night, cheap gear can work. The really biggest problem with bad gear is wetness and cold. If you are wet and cold for one night, suck it up buttercup. If you are cold and wet for five nights, you may need medical attention.

So having cheap gear for a single night out partying, or in a state park, is no problem. Stop at the cheapest box store, and get the basics and you will be camping.

If an excursion is being planned, with multiple days in the woods, and camping during potentially inclement weather months, proper gear is essential. If a person is on a serious physical outing, and go two or three nights sleeping cold, wet, and on an uncomfortable surface, they will wear out quickly.

The right equipment will be more costly than the cheapest equipment available. It will keep the water out better in a tent, keep the heat in better in your sleeping bag, and conform better to your body as a sleeping surface to be closest to a bed feeling. If the equipment does not keep you dry, warm, and restful, then it needs to be changed. The most expensive is not necessarily the best for you, or there may be many options from the middle of the road cost to the top cost, all which perform the basic functions effectively. For example, each good quality tent will keep you dry, but one may keep you dry better, whatever that means.

In summary, cost is not a prohibitive barrier to short campouts in campgrounds relatively close to a town. And long excursions need to simply address the basic needs of life, where proper preparation will reduce the chance of poor performance…

Chain of Lakes Region

The Upper Chain of Lakes in Antrim County is a long and peaceful opportunity to paddle in a lake setting without fear of whitecaps. The lakes in this section include Beals, Scotts, Sixmile, St. Clair Lake, Ellsworth, Wilson, Ben-way, Hanley, and Intermediate. The route is relatively narrow, yet extends for miles through multiple communities. Plan a section at a time, or power through the route as a marathon.

Tri Play Maps

This Page is an introduction to the first round of TriPlay Maps.

A TriPlay is a loop where 2 or more forms of non-motorized travel are required.

Examples: Paddle & Bicycle, Paddle & Walk, Bicycle & Beach Walk.

• Chain of Lakes- Bellaire Clam Torch Loop 1
• Chain of Lakes- Bellaire Loop 2
• Chain of Lakes- Bellaire Thru Glacial Hills Loop 2
• Chain of Lakes- Central Lake to Bellaire River Paddling 403-1
• Chain of Lakes- Ellsworth Loop 1
• Chain of Lakes- Ellsworth to Bellaire River Paddling 401-1
• Chain of Lakes- Ellsworth to Central Lake Loop 2
• Chain of Lakes- Grass River Loop 2
• Chain of Lakes- Torch River Chippewa Trail Loop 2
• Chain of Lakes- Torch River Loop 3
• Chain of Lakes- Torch River Rex Terrace Loop 2

Paddle Information

• Plan no more than five hours in a day for paddling time. This leaves time for hiking, eating, or playing on the river, unexpected slowdowns, such as retrieving your gear from the river after a tip-over, headwinds, or portages over downed trees.
• The level of protection you need, in regards to failed equipment, elements, insects, and food, is based on the time on the river and distance from civilization. A short trip in a populated area requires much less precaution than an overnight trip through the wilderness.
• Plan on getting hungry on the trip. Pack things that don’t generate much waste, and will still be palatable when wet.
• Time. To plan the duration of a trip, estimate 1.5 mi/hr in a kayak and 2 mi/hr in a 2-person canoe, paddling at a moderate pace in still water. Add 2 mi/hr with a medium river current. Listed times are average paddling speed, and do not include stops.
• Weather. Unless there is lightning, or freezing drizzle, a rain shower should be no reason to cancel a trip.
• Hazards. On river routes, watch ahead for hazards, such as branches, rocks, and structures. Log jams can occur any time, and are more common in spring after the winter season, before outfitters clear obstructions.
• Keep your body low when entering & exiting the boat – low center of gravity to prevent capsizing. Get your butt in the seat, then worry about body limbs and gear.
• Practice boat handling – forward, backward, sideways – in calm waters to insure proficiency of the water conditions on the river. Back paddling skills are more important than front paddling skills, on a river. Use paddle as a rudder.
• Avoid overloading the boat with gear, and keep is well distributed and low in the boat.
• Plan for tip over. Secure gear to the boat and protect it from water. Everything that you care about not being saturated, lost in the river, or damaged must be in a bag. Preferably double bagged, and secured or taped to the boat. Everything.
• River Stops. Respect private property and do not trespass. Do not climb sensitive river banks, or disturb vegetation.
• Bugs. Even when bugs are thick in the woods, often times they are often not too bad on the river.
• Poison Ivy. Always plan on it being at all put-ins and along river bank.
• Leaches. Watch for leaches. Maybe take salt.
• Wildlife. Look for animal tracks in sand edges. Watch ahead when coming around bends. Look into the woods along the side.
• Kayak paddle. Keep the O-ring on the paddle between your hands and the water. Ideally, just outside your hands, and not dunked in the water. Keeps hands dry.
• Shallow Water Paddle. When in shallow water (1′ or less), you can go faster with gentle paddling vs strong paddling, due to the drag created along the bottom by the wake.
• Shallow Water Path. Where the river widens and you see gravel riffles, stay near the outside of bends to utilize the most depth. If lightly stuck in the shallows, move your weight by throwing your torso toward the deepest water to dislodge your boat.
• Non-Summer. Autumn on the river can be an excellent way to experience the fall colors. Easy rivers better for non summer. Less chance to tip over & freeze.

Trip Planning & Staging

River

Staging a vehicle or bicycle is necessary to retrieve your boats after the float.

Don’t park in front of easiest loading/unloading area.

Always do the hardest section first:

• River: 1st=Bike, 2nd=Kayak.
• Lake: 1st=Kayak, 2nd=Bike. Kayak with tailwind.
• Lake: 1st=Walk, 2nd=Kayak. Kayak with tailwind.
• Trail/Lake: 1st=Walk, 2nd=Bike.

Shuttling can happen in many ways.

• 1. Hire the local outfitter to transport you.
• 2. Use two vehicles and place one at the end of the trip.
• 3. Pedal, hike, or hitch a ride from one end to the other.

Listed here, are some points for consideration in placement of your transportation off the water. Each bullet is indicated as PRO or CON.

• Leave a fresh set of warm clothes in the vehicle at the end of the trip. Plan on being wet and cold, and consider it a bonus if you are not.
• Hide your keys at the car, so no chance of losing them in the river or leaving them at the wrong end of the trip. Don’t forget to leave them at the downstream car!

Staging the vehicle at upstream end of the float.

• Locked Equipment. Only a bicycle is needed down stream, which is easy to lock. PRO.
• Equipment Access. You have accessibility to the vehicle and all of its contents, right until launch time. Convenient, so nothing is forgotten. PRO.
• Stage Ride. The return ride must be completed after the float, which can be a challenge if wet, weary, and buzzed from the float. CON.
• Boat Load. Double back needed, by first riding back upstream to retrieve the vehicle, then drive downstream to load the boats. Equipment needs to be secure if concerned about theft. CON.

Staging the vehicle at downstream end of the float.

• Locked Equipment. Everything going on the river must be locked upstream or carried on the staging ride. If staging on a bike, then kayak, paddles, life jacket, cooler, snack, etc – Everything must be secured while making the run. Best option is having someone stay with the gear if theft is a concern. CON.
• Equipment Access. All trip stuff comes out of the vehicle, long before the float begins, as described in the first bullet. CON.
• Stage Ride. The return ride is completed before the float, while dry, energetic, and generally more sober than after the float. PRO.
• Boat Load. At the end, the boats go directly from the water to strapped on the vehicle. Then a quick drive to pick up the bike or staged vehicle. PRO.

Personal Preference. Stage vehicle at downstream. Reason- When getting off the river, it is real nice to load the boats on the vehicle, then change into dry clothes.

Lake

If concerned about effort/energy level/or a beginner, paddle quickly to your destination, then leisurely back. This allows judgment of how difficult the return trip will be, based on the effort it took to get to the halfway/turnaround point.

If concerned about time, paddle leisurely to your destination, then quickly back. The time it takes to get to your furthest point will be much less than the time it takes to get back.

Paddle into the wind first.

Lake Michigan. Offshore winds, wind coming from land and blowing out toward the water, are the most dangerous condition in open water. What appears to be calm and flat near shore, can quickly become wavy and windy when the trees and land are not protecting the air movement. Pay close attention to the winds before getting out away from shore.

Prepare of change in weather and wet conditions, and bring gear for cold temperatures.

Trip Time.

• Leisure: 1 – 1.5 mph
• Moderate: 1.5 – 2 mph
• Brisk: 2 – 2.5 mph

Equipment

• Gear Protection. Put cell phone, keys, camera, & electronics, in a heavy duty ziplock bag and duct tape to inside of the boat near you. Allows easy access, but will stay dry and with the boat, if (when) you tip over.
• River Protection. No littering. Secure all loose items to your boat.
• Kayak Selection. Each type of kayak serves a different purpose. From the low cost and small ones, which are great for rivers or short lake trips. To the big and expensive ones designed for the Big Lake.
• Paddle Size. Check the fit of the shaft size in your hand. The right size blade will not create too much resistance for your strength, and long enough to keep from hitting your knuckles on the boat.
• Life jacket should always be worn. Problems occur during flip-over, because: yelling at tipover causes air to be exhaled before going under, and as water rushes into the cockpit it holds you in making escape difficult. If in a river – you’ll keep traveling downstream into something.
• Foot Protection. Wear water shoes or old tennis shoes, as most places where you get out will be rocky, slimy, or with sharp sticks.
• For beginners or children, wear eye protections (sunglasses) and a hat to protect against stray twigs or if get pushed into the brush.
• Anchor. Simple anchor. Carry a rope and mesh bag. Put rocks in the mesh bag when need an anchor.
• Drink Holder. Cut 2 liter bottle, smooth edges, from about half way up with “tongue” to the top. Put 6″ of tape on the tongue, taping the top two inches of the plastic to the boat. Let there be some dangle, so it doesn’t tip. See Video.

Boat Selection

• Generally speaking, it takes 10 hours to be proficient at canoeing, it takes 10 strokes to be proficient at kayaking.
• Pros-Canoe: sitting higher above the water to see fish and river bottom better; more cargo space.
• Pros-Kayak: maneuverability; best if going solo; good in winds and waves; easier carrying.
• Canoe Fundamentals. Center your weight. If alone, ride in the middle of the boat. If a small child is in front, and adult in back, then put a full cooler with the kid. This is most important in strong winds or current.

Equipment List

Nature Information

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Tips

• Use a water filter to replenish your water bottles. Drink from clean rivers and lakes, to get a taste of Northern Michigan in the natural way.
• Bugs can drive you mad – they rule the outdoors. But only in late Spring to late Summer. They will ruin an outdoor activity faster than any weather-based condition. This is why non-summer can be so inviting…

Blood Thirsty Parasites

Harvest Information

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Tips

• Fruit Stands area often present at random, along rural highways.
• Most fruit stands accept cash only.
• Recommend call ahead for U-pick.

Art Information

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Tips

Many galleries are only open Memorial Day to Labor Day, or a few weeks beyond. Call ahead.

Fishing Information

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Equipment

Bicycling Information

Bicycling exposes you to so much more than vehicular travel, and often times is a quicker means in town. Each city provides safe biking, with trails and primarily low speed roadways. Biking exhilarates a sight seeing outing, both with exercise and close proximity to the sights.

Equipment

Short Ride

Medium Ride

Long Ride