Molasses River Kayaking Guide

Gladwin County — Tittabawassee & Saginaw River Watershed

A small Michigan river in winter (Shiawassee River shown) — representative of the Molasses River's wooded, small-stream character. Photo: Willi H2O, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).

The Molasses River is a roughly 16.8-mile tributary in Gladwin County that feeds the Tittabawassee River and the greater Saginaw River watershed. Photographs of it show a modest, tree-lined stream — the Wikipedia article's image was taken along M-61 in Grim Township — and the river's mouth lies near 43.9336, -84.3017 where it meets the Tittabawassee.

Here is the honest part: we could not find a documented public launch, an established paddling route, or reliable segment mileage for the Molasses. It is an obscure, unmaintained small stream, and this guide treats it as an exploratory, scout-first waterway rather than a ready-made trip. If you paddle it, you are accepting the classic small-creek bargain — quiet water and solitude in exchange for uncertainty about access, strainers, and water levels.

The most practical approach is to scout from public road crossings — the M-61 corridor in Grim Township is the natural starting landmark — and to run the river out-and-back from a legal bridge put-in after recent rain or during the spring melt. Banks are largely private, so never trespass, always pack out your trash, and leave gates and land exactly as you found them.

At a Glance

• River length: About 16.8 miles (Gladwin County)
• Watershed: Tributary of the Tittabawassee River; Saginaw River watershed
• Landmark: M-61 in Grim Township — useful scouting reference
• Mouth: Joins the Tittabawassee near 43.9336, -84.3017
• Access situation: Limited — no documented public launches; road crossings and private banks dominate
• Best window: Spring melt and after rain, when small streams carry enough water

Paddling Sections

M-61 Crossing Area — exploratory out-and-back

Use the M-61 corridor in Grim Township as your scouting landmark. If the water looks adequate from the bridge and you can access the river legally, an upstream-or-downstream out-and-back keeps the shuttle simple and lets you turn around at the first bad jam or posted sign.

No documented shuttle routes

We found no reliable section mileage or named launch pairs for this river. Treat every trip as a first descent: bring a saw mindset, wear a helmet of humility, and never commit to a one-way run without a verified take-out.

Hazards & Portages

• Strainers and downed trees — unmaintained small streams collect deadfall; portage or turn around rather than risk a sweep.
• Low water — expect to scrape, drag, or walk sections in dry spells.
• Beaver activity — dams and chewed limbs are common in this part of Michigan.
• Private banks — respect posted land; a scouting trip from bridges is the ethical way in.

Access & Parking

• Scouting landmark: M-61 through Grim Township (map centered near 43.9418, -84.2343).
• Launch: no public launch is documented — use only legal public road right-of-ways and confirm access in person.
• Parking: park fully off the road at crossings, never on private drives or in front of gates.
• Season: spring and post-rain outings give the best chance of floatable water.

Map

Map marker shows the primary reference point for this guide.