Muskegon River Adventure – Part 8 White Birch Campground to Jonesville Road | November 24, 2025 West Michigan Kayaking Club Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.

Muskegon River Adventure — Part 8 🛶

This was NOT the paddle we planned!

Normally, we’re looking at around 20 miles in about 6 hours. And, of course, our goal is always zero portages.

Not today. 😂

We managed just 9 miles and encountered approximately 10 portages, along with countless log hops and unders. I tried keeping track, but eventually I completely lost count!

A couple of the portages actually allowed us to cut off hairpin bends in the river after we encountered massive log jams. The Muskegon definitely decided to make us work for this one!

The Exit Strategy 🌲🛶

As the hours passed, it became pretty clear we weren’t going to finish our planned section.

At about the 6-hour mark, we came across an unoccupied deer cabin and decided it was time to get off the river for good.

What we didn’t know was that the cabin was still about a mile from the road! 😳

Our hike back to the put-in was looking like it was going to be about 5½ miles. We started walking, already knowing this was going to be quite the trek.

Then, about a mile into our hike, our luck changed.

A UTV came down the trail, and they were kind enough to give us a ride for the remaining 3½ miles. Talk about perfect timing!

Still a Great Adventure 🌲🦅

Even though Muskegon River Adventure #8 didn’t go anywhere near as planned, it was still another great adventure paddle!

We actually found more color than I expected. Instead of the 50 shades of gray I normally associate with late fall, the river still had some beautiful scenery.

I even came across a particularly nice birch tree, which immediately made me think about my wife, Cindy Devries Postma. 😊❤️

Wildlife was pretty sparse, but we did see a deer crossing the river and an eagle flying overhead.

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that don’t go according to plan.

Still a Great Adventure 🌲🦅

Even though Muskegon River Adventure #8 didn’t go anywhere near as planned, it was still another great adventure paddle!

We actually found more color than I expected. Instead of the 50 shades of gray I normally associate with late fall, the river still had some beautiful scenery.

I even came across a particularly nice birch tree, which immediately made me think about my wife, Cindy Devries Postma. 😊❤️

Wildlife was pretty sparse, but we did see a deer crossing the river and an eagle flying overhead.

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that don’t go according to plan.