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MattM
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Yes, I will certainly report back.
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MattM
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I'm scheduled to enter at Stuart River this Thursday (5/26). With the high water/flood conditions and the multitude of capsize stories, I'm wondering if anyone has any recent information regarding Stuart River?
I will be calling the Ely ranger station today to get any info they might have. I just thought someone on here might be able to provide some added insight.
Any thoughts on if the Stuart will pose significant issues? Should I be looking at a plan B?
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THEGrandRapids
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MattM: "I'm scheduled to enter at Stuart River this Thursday (5/26). With the high water/flood conditions and the multitude of capsize stories, I'm wondering if anyone has any recent information regarding Stuart River?
I will be calling the Ely ranger station today to get any info they might have. I just thought someone on here might be able to provide some added insight.
Any thoughts on if the Stuart will pose significant issues? Should I be looking at a plan B?"
MattM- Can you report back at the end of your trip? We are going in June 2, with half our crew inexperienced paddlers. Midwest Fire gives me reassurance, but never being there and the mix of a "river" and "high water" does cause consternation.
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PineKnot
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MidwestFirecraft: "I just returned from 7 days going in and out Stuart River. There is absolutely no issue with the Stuart. Although there is more water, there is still no discernable current in it. The only issue was the first crossing of Spring Creek is a little challenging , but doable with proper foot placement. Can easily cut off the last half of portage by entering Spring Creek. Beaver dams where easily runnable going in on the 16th, Coming out on the 22nd water levels had already dropped significantly.
The Stuart could never be a "white water" river.
Enjoy your trip!"
+1. Agree 100%. Even with water levels higher than normal, I cannot see the Stuart R being anything more challenging than normal water levels. Personally, I'd prefer a bit higher water that low water which can turn some parts of the route into a much longer paddle and slog....
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cyclones30
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Really? I'm not sure I'd go that far on what's needed to have a trip on the Stuart right now. Pure speculation until you hear from rangers or someone who's been in there already.
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MidwestFirecraft
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I just returned from 7 days going in and out Stuart River. There is absolutely no issue with the Stuart. Although there is more water, there is still no discernable current in it. The only issue was the first crossing of Spring Creek is a little challenging , but doable with proper foot placement. Can easily cut off the last half of portage by entering Spring Creek. Beaver dams where easily runnable going in on the 16th, Coming out on the 22nd water levels had already dropped significantly.
The Stuart could never be a "white water" river.
Enjoy your trip!
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Z4K
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cyclones30: "Pure speculation until you hear from rangers or someone who's been in there already. "
I now wish I had phrased that a little better, inviting actual firsthand knowledge instead of being so out-right discouraging. I'm sure I'm not the only one here that is sick of reading about near-death experiences this year. Please approach portage landings cautiously and don't get pulled into rapids.
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Z4K
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I have no firsthand knowledge of the Stuart River this spring, I'm just here to discourage.
The Stuart River drains a relatively small area so it should calm down sooner than the Kawishiwi or anywhere along the border... but I doubt it'll be there on Thursday, even if it doesn't rain on Wednesday. I'm sure it would be a great trip for 3 canoes full of whitewater enthusiasts with rescue gear and lots of experience, but if you're set up for flat water you're just asking to author the next 'capsized' post here.
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BigCurrent
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Take all of the marked portages and don't try to run any rapids and you'll be fine.
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MattM
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Thank very much for the first hand information MidwestFirecraft!
No worries at all Z4K. The number of high water incidents had me very concerned as well.
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