Winter is a great time to re-live our adventures when the weather outside is not the best for any sort of water activities. It is also a time to note the lessons learned from some adventures so that we can learn and become better paddlers.
The northern part of the Moose Horn River is almost a small creek close to the town of Mahtowa, Minnesota. Driving by it for years, I often pondered what was down the wild back country it flows through as it makes it’s six mile journey on the way to the town of Barnum. I would drive along MN state highway 61 and get peeks of it as it flowed through some of the local farmland. I would drive up dirt roads and look for good places to launch from making mental notes as I watched the rate of flow.
Just like my river adventure on the Kettle River close to where I grew up (read here) this river had a certain romantic pull to it. The problem was I was scared out of my wits to try it alone. I didn’t have anyone I knew who would paddle it with me. But, that didn’t stop me from dreaming.
I set out one late summer afternoon to paddle it. I stopped at my Dad’s place on County Rd 4 and let him know I was heading out and where I was paddling. He suggested I launch from one of the farms along the river instead of County 4. I listened, nodded my head in agreement, but really had my mind set to launch where I wanted straight from the highway.
Then I called a good friend of mine in Barnum and asked if she was free to pick me up and haul me back to my truck once I reached Barnum.
“Sure, How long before you get here?” she asked
“I am guessing a couple of hours. If you don’t see me before dark maybe try to call my cell phone and check on me. My truck is parked along county road 4.” I replied
Blue arrow for start point and yellow arrow approx. location of beaver dam.(images from google maps)
When I reached the launch point I noticed that it was a bit of a drop from the road and pretty swampy to get the kayak into the water. The water seemed to be hardly moving here along the highway. I pushed and pulled the kayak through the tall swamp grass to a level spot on the waters edge. I quickly and not gracefully loaded my butt into the hull.
Start point on Carlton County #4 just west of Mahtowa (provided by Google street view)
The water quickly pulled me in the direction of flow south towards Barnum. I drew in a deep breath as I tried to make sure the kayak was heading where I wanted to go and not directly towards the log that now was in front of me. Narrow and deep the banks were lined with swamp grass and brush willows. I rounded a corner and another and then on my left was a house with other small out buildings. Then just more swamp and blue sky.
The start of the paddle I already had grass from pulling the kayak through the swamp to launch.
The flow of the current slowed. I floated into a wide area of still water filled area with small islands of grass. I knew I should keep heading in the direction of the water flow but now that was a bit of a challenge to determine where the water was going. I had to look at other indicators besides the now mostly still water. A leaf floated by and I watched as I tried to determine where I should go. The leaf floated off to the left. Ah…. that must be the right way. I started to paddle in the direction of the leaf.
I was now engulfed in a narrow path of water that was surrounded by tall swamp grass reaching towards the sky. The frogs were happily singing as I paddled into this unknown area.
Then the water stopped. A cascade of water dropping three foot to the continued river below.
A beaver dam had the entire river blocked off. The drop to the other side of the dam looked more of the challenge than I wanted to face. With no clear area to portage my kayak from the banks. Disappointed, I turned my kayak around and headed back towards the road.
Now the frogs singing sounded more like heckles and laughing than singing as I kayaked back on this river through the swamp.
I pulled my kayak onto the bank at the farm I had passed on my way towards the now known beaver dam. I would leave the kayak and walk to get my truck.
Small part of a very large beaver dam blocking my path downstream.
When I finally had the kayak loaded I considered my Dad’s advice to stop at one of the farms along state highway #61. I was not going to let this river win, I would just get past the swamp and it would be fine.
Or so I thought… the story continues in Part #2. (Here)
Lesson #1– Listen to your Dad even if he doesn’t kayak!
Things to do in Mahtowa, MN.
TJ’s Country Corner – Known for the best homemade wurst in the area. Great for camping trips. I recommend the wild rice brats. They are great over a campfire after a day of hard paddling!
Willard Munger State Trail – This 70 mile bike trail from Hinckley to Duluth, Minnesota runs right through downtown Mahtowa. Perfect for cross country skiing in the winter or cycling in the summer.
The Cedar Journal 