The Headwaters Canoe Club met recently at a historic log cabin near Laporte to determine the canoe floats for 2022. The floats are in Beltrami, Cass and Hubbard counties. If interested contact the person listed as the host for the trip. The floats are very laid back and are open to canoes and kayaks.
The river and creek floats are back, as last year they were not done due to Covid, believing being crammed in to shuttle vehicles to retrieve your vehicle wasn’t the safest. The float on the Schoolcraft River, east of Lake George is like being in the Boundary Waters. The Shingobee River float is fun, starting east of the Shingobee sledding hill to Shingobee Island on Leech Lake. It like many ends at the host’s house with snacks. The Lake May float is what you peddle by on the Heartland Trail east of Akeley, four lakes you portage through ending in Walker. Kabekona is fun too.
If you are unfamiliar with the lake or waterway Google it with Beltrami or Cass County. (Necktie River is in Hubbard near Laporte, I haven’t done). There are more Beltrami and Cass floats as there are more paddlers from there. Often myself and another guy, who has a bad back and not paddling much have been the only PR paddlers.
Erik Haugland is leading the Big Mantrap float on August 23, ending with rhubarb pie.
Headwaters Canoe Club 2022 Cruise Dates
Tuesday, May 3, 5:30 pm – Knutson Dam to Smiling Joe’s and back (meet at Third River Road Bridge) – Easy-Jack Gustafson – 218-335-2689
Tuesday, May 10, 5:30 pm – Necktie River, Hart Lake to County 5 – Lengthy – Jack Gustafson – 218-335-2689
Saturday, May 14, 9:00 am – 3rd River, Decker Lake to Decker Lake Road – 8 miles – Difficult – Mike and Becky Bergquist – 605-530-2784
Tuesday, May 17, 5:00 pm – Schoolcraft, Hubbard County 9 & County 118 – Moderate – Lee & Polly Scotland – 218-766-2953
Saturday, May 21, 9:00 am – North Turtle River – Scenic Highway to Birchmont Beach Rd – Difficult – Mike and Becky Bergquist – 605-530-2784
Tuesday, May 24, 5:00 pm – Shingobee River, CSAH 50 to Shingobee Bay and back, (meet at CSH 50 bridge) – Easy – Steve Bilben – 218-547-1818
Tuesday, May 31, 5:00 pm – Kabekona River – CSAH 39 to CSAH 38 and back, (meet at Barker Residence) – Easy – Brad Barker – 218-224-3565
Tuesday, June 7, 5:00 pm – Pike Bay Connection (unload at Pike Bay Boat Landing) – Difficult – Jack Gustafson – 218-335-2689
Saturday, June 11 – Chippewa Triathlon – Jack Gustafson – 218-335-2689
Tuesday, June 14, 6:00 pm – Bass Lake (meet at public access) – Easy – Steve Bilben – 218-547-1818
Tuesday, June 21, 5:00 pm – Big Lake, Birchmont Beach Road to Bergquists’ – Moderate – Mike and Becky Bergquist – 605-530-2784
Tuesday, June 28, 6:00 pm – Sucker Lake Chain (begin at Upper Sucker Lake and back) – Easy – Peter Moberg – 218-444-7532
Tuesday, July 12, 6:00 pm – North Twin Lake (meet at public access) – Easy – Peter Moberg – 218-444-7532
Tuesday, July 19, 5:00 pm – May Lake – Easy – Steve Bilben – 218-547-1818
Tuesday, August 23, 6:00 pm – Mantrap Lake (meet at MNDNR Campground Public Access) – Easy – Eric Haugland – 218-252-7151
Tuesday, August 30, 6:00 pm – Bike the Migizi Trail (meet at South Pike Bay Campground) – 14 miles – Janis and Jack Gustafson – 218-335-2689