So today I decided that I would check out the hiking/biking trails at the park. Ya know, maybe the recent warm weather has made them more navigable. On with the Sorels, and out the door I go, hoping for a good hike.

Got to the entrance, still looked snowy, but less than before. Hmm, okay lets try it anyway. Right off the bat, I had a tree down on the trail. Go around it, I say. Well the snow on the trails is melted, not off the trails. Sank up to my knees.

Once past that, it was uphill for a stretch. Ice. Lots of ice. I did some dance moves my younger self would have been proud of(and I don't even dance)and penguin walked up.

After about 20 minutes slip-sliding I came to the conclusion that this wasn't very enjoyable, and maybe I should come back in a week. I did get a good workout, on the plus side.

You don't want to know about going down the hills to the entrance.

Sounds like my paddling experience today. I took my new-to-me Souris River Tranquility out for the first time, on a Mississippi River backwater. The wind came up right when I got to the launch, and by the time I'd paddled half a mile the bay was whitecapping. Getting turned around to paddle back into the wind to the launch was a job and a half. For a while I thought I was gonna have to just land and walk back. Every time I tried to turn the wind and waves would catch me broadside and push me back, and there weren't any sheltered coves because of the direction it was blowing. Finally made it though.

On the plus side, it was a good test of what both the canoe and myself were capable of in those conditions. I'd rather not try it again if possible, but I now know it's doable if necessary.

I did 5 miles on a rail trail near me yesterday. Very nice.

NEIowa - single or double blade? I find the double blade in my Tranq helps a lot in rough water.

billconner: "I did 5 miles on a rail trail near me yesterday. Very nice.


NEIowa - single or double blade? I find the double blade in my Tranq helps a lot in rough water."

I was using a double blade. Good thing, too. I really don't think I'd have been able to turn it around and paddle back into the wind with a single blade. It was definitely the worst conditions I've ever paddled a canoe in. I've been out in worse conditions in a kayak, but that's a different animal.

I should have taken a couple dry bags to fill with water as extra ballast so I wasn't riding so high. I'll definitely do that if I need to paddle the Tranq empty in high winds again.

I have sometimes carried some ballast as well. The Tranquility does paddle better loaded.

Bearpath.. what park?

Mocha: "Bearpath.. what park?"

Lebanon Hills west in Eagan. I park along Galaxie, and enter there. The parking lot on Johnnycake is closed to keep the bikers out, since they rarely follow the rules.

NEIowapaddler: "...Every time I tried to turn the wind and waves would catch me broadside and push me back, and there weren't any sheltered coves because of the direction it was blowing. Finally made it though. "

Sometimes in a situation like this I find it easier to paddle fast backwards into the wind and then swing the bow around.