The North Branch We paddled the North Branch back in 2015 (specifically 5/1/15 and 5/2/15). After driving to Chatfield and locking up our canoe and paddling gear, we drove to Whalen where we left our car and got on our bikes. For most of the Root River there is an accompanying paved bike trail. WeContinue reading “In Two Parts: Canoeing Minnesota’s Root River”
Category Archives: Minnesota Water Trails
Life is Like a Box of Chocolates: Canoeing the Red Lake River
The Red Lake River flows west out of Lower Red Lake in northwest Minnesota before turning south, dropping down lower into ancient glacial Lake Agassiz, and then eventually meandering northwest to meet up with the Red River of the North in Grand Forks. Three years ago we’d thought about paddling this river and continuing downContinue reading “Life is Like a Box of Chocolates: Canoeing the Red Lake River”
A Wedding, a Funeral, and Canoeing parts of the Red, Pine, and Mississippi Rivers
Erik and I planned a late May canoe trip in Minnesota months ago in conjunction with a family wedding near Nisswa, Minnesota. We knew we’d canoe part way home from the wedding on a section of the Mississippi Erik had done twice before but that I’d never done. We had the week off before theContinue reading “A Wedding, a Funeral, and Canoeing parts of the Red, Pine, and Mississippi Rivers”
Canoeing the Otter Tail River and the First Map of the Red
The past few springs we’ve set aside a few days to paddle some of Minnesota’s Water Trails. This year our initial plan was for the Little Fork, but alas the snow melted quickly, swelling the river, and then drought brought water levels to solid medium. There’s lots of rapids on that river and we onlyContinue reading “Canoeing the Otter Tail River and the First Map of the Red”
Canoeing Minnesota’s Crow River
The Crow River watershed is largely located within the area 100 miles west from the Twin Cities before it detours northeast to dump into the Mississippi and form the border of Hennepin County. While the river stretches upstream for countless unmarked miles and also includes a Middle Fork, only the North Fork beginning at theContinue reading “Canoeing Minnesota’s Crow River”
Canoeing the Zumbro River
Nestled in southeastern Minnesota, the Zumbro River has multiple branches and forks that come together to make their way to the mighty Mississippi. Carving through the driftless region, this designated Minnesota Water Trail passes bluffs, farms, and quaint towns. Water levels are often low, so it’s imperative to check gauges before setting out. Usually ErikContinue reading “Canoeing the Zumbro River”
Paddling Minnesota’s Snake River: In Four Parts
Located in eastern central Minnesota, the Snake River flows largely south from McGrath to Mora before turning east and winding its way to the Saint Croix River. The watershed to the north flows into Lake Superior, but the water on the Snake will eventually make its way to the Gulf of Mexico. Spanning nine years,Continue reading “Paddling Minnesota’s Snake River: In Four Parts”
Canoeing the Big Fork Plus a Little
In pursuit of the Minnesota Water Trails, initially Erik and I planned to canoe the Red Lake River to the Red River to the Canadian Border with my mom providing a shuttle. Mother Nature had other plans with the flooded Red River creating what looked like a giant lake between Grand Forks north to theContinue reading “Canoeing the Big Fork Plus a Little”
A Pandemic-Inspired Central Minnesota Canoe Adventure
As we paddle all the designated Minnesota water trails, Erik is often intrigued by the non-designated waterways and in particular, loop connections. He found such a one, the Rabbit River, that almost forms a connection with the Mississippi between highway 6 and Riverton. And so an adventure was born. In addition, we’d take almost aContinue reading “A Pandemic-Inspired Central Minnesota Canoe Adventure”
The Great Northeast Minnesota River Loop
This loop begins near the town of Floodwood. From here, we paddled up the Whiteface River to the Whiteface Reservoir and then portaged into the Saint Louis River and paddled back to Floodwood. Erik, my husband, found this route on the map. It can be difficult to combine loops when paddling rivers, but this lookedContinue reading “The Great Northeast Minnesota River Loop”
Elspeth Ronnander 