My first post on the solo group site is a question I have been trying to solve for some time now. How do you drop your canoe and gear in one place then spot your vehicle at your intended take out point when you only have one vehicle.

I stash a bike in the woods with a lock & chain. I have also walked.

If doing a day trip I usually paddle up the river for about 3/4 of allocated time and then return. If I really want to travel from one point to another I ask my partner to do a vehicle transfer leaving my truck at the take out point. While probably safe I have worried about someone messing with my bike or canoe gear at the take out point. Paddling and biking or running sounds like a good balanced workout.

I have wanted to do some overnight trips on more distant rivers such as the Ozark waterways and will have the same concerns. I figured I would post a request here for recommendations on a good outfitter who would do the vehicle transfer.

You can either walk, run, or bike back to the entry depending on distance and your comfort level. Or you can drop your car at the exit and have an outfitter shuttle you to your entry, or vice versa depending on your preference.

I have also had Rockwood Outfitters shuttle me to Cross Bay and just exited to Poplar. Similar possibilities may exist with some other outfitters.

bikes, car shuttles, outfitters, my son running (his favorite part of a trip). in the good old days we would hitchhike. we did a hitchhike for a trip down the little fork river on the net lake reservation, we stood for hours and no cars went by. we did a hitchhike on the buffalo river in arkansas, bad idea, don't do this.

I've used the bicycle shuttle occasionally but usually just paddle upstream and then back. Sometimes I'll paddle downstream first when I know the river and what to expect. And sometimes even when I don't. Other times, when paddling locally, if I only feel like doing the downstream leg, I'll call friends for family for a ride when I reach the takeout.

Alan

Usually shuttles from outfitters. When I am on a river its typically for five days to a week..

So that doesn't pertain to day trips ( that would be pretty expensive). There is only one river locally that is amenable to a bike shuttle as its an oxbowed river.

I am guessing a bike or on foot is not the answer you are looking for as that means leaving gear on the bank unattended for a period of time. I have pondered the same thing when looking at paddling the Minnesota River. With the current I can do an easy 20 mile day trip. The only solution I have is a buddy that can shuttle you back, hopefully gear and all. Paid shuttles may work in some areas and you might even be able to find a cheap UBER solution in some areas. What is it worth to you to not have to double back?

Thanks for the many reply's. I shouldn't be but I'm surprised so many people have the same problem. I guess I'm the kind of person who wouldn't want to inconvenience anyone with a pick me up call. If the river were wide going up then down stream would probably work out fine. I've never used Uber but I'll have to look into it.

So on a longer trip of a full day or more an outfitter or possibly a canoe livery might be the only options. How does the drop off usually go and what would an outfitter normally charge.

quote wingnut: "

So on a longer trip of a full day or more an outfitter or possibly a canoe livery might be the only options. How does the drop off usually go and what would an outfitter normally charge."

Clearwater Canoe rentals has a service on the Mississippi. Here is a link to what they offer. You can rent and shuttle or shuttle your own canoe.


Here is a link to their web page to give you an idea on what they charge.

it depends on the river
many rivers in MN can be biked or inline skated, the ones with paved bike trails along them

just put the bike or skates in your canoe, I put my bike in the rear of my canoe on the Kinnicinnic & Vermillion, bad choice, these rivers are too small overhanging trees can be a problem, I get quite a few comments from other paddlers when I do this

How many miles of paddling then biking are you comfortable with in a day trip.

Lots of people I know hitch hike back to their vehicle, whether canoeing or back packing. It helps you get a ride quicker if you have a cardboard sign stating that you are needing a ride back to your vehicle due to canoeing or backpacking.

quote wingnut: " How many miles of paddling then biking are you comfortable with in a day trip."

I have checked how far I go, but usually paddling is limited more by time. Distance is affected by current, wind and other variables.

quote jwartman59: "bikes, car shuttles, outfitters, my son running (his favorite part of a trip). in the good old days we would hitchhike. we did a hitchhike for a trip down the little fork river on the net lake reservation, we stood for hours and no cars went by. we did a hitchhike on the buffalo river in arkansas, bad idea, don't do this."

Did you hear banjos.

Sorry about the late response but I am just seeing this. If there is a canoe club in the area you might join and develop a relationship. Once in northern Wisconsin, I worked a deal for a car shuttle at a local gas station where I unloaded my stuff and we met at the takeout. If there are any liveries or outfitters around you can work something out with them.

Hope this helps.

Loop!

I paddle upstream and turn around. Osceola to Taylors Falls and back on the St Croix River. Not too bad if you paddle close to shore on the way upstream. I also did William O'Brien to Osceola on the St Croix. A bit further I believe. I paddle a Magic with a double blade.

Go with a friend and leave one vehicle at the end, take the other to the put-in. Or, if solo, I do a paddle/run loop to get in my long run for the week...

I did that once when paddling Pine River from below Pine City to St. Croix. Eleven Miles.
Man, was it nice to run after sitting.
Even better was to sit again after running.

Put in at Log House or Osceola. Usually paddle upstream for a couple or three hours then turn around. Depends some on the wind and the river level.

I paddle solo so shuttles don't work for me.

Leave your car at the take out and have someone drop you off at the put in.

My wife and I run a 2 vehicle shuttle for river day trips all the time. One spring on a fast high River we realized that we left the keys in the upstream car. Had to hitchhike back so I know that it does work- probably isn't preferable, though!

quote yellowcanoe: "Usually shuttles from outfitters. When I am on a river its typically for five days to a week. "

Yep, take it slow and explore the feeders a bit.