🚨 EVENT LOGISTICS UPDATE 🚨

🛶 Drop boats at the dam at 8:00 AM sharp.

📍 Hodenpyl Dam
44°21’51.32”N 85°49’15.18”W

After dropping boats, bring vehicles to Red Bridge for the hike start.

🥾 Meet at Red Bridge by 9:00 AM.

📍 Red Bridge River Access
44°17’01.74”N 85°51’40.72”W

 

This is a first-of-its-kind event for the club — a true hike-and-paddle combo you won’t want to miss! 🌲🚣‍♂️
Update:

🥾 THE PLAN:
We’ll hike approximately 10 miles north along the beautiful Manistee River Trail from Red Bridge to Hodenpyl Dam. Once we reach the dam, we’ll launch our kayaks and paddle downstream through the Manistee National Forest back to our vehicles!

A true adventure — hike one way, paddle the return. This is going to be unforgettable. 🔥

🏕 CAMPING OPTIONS (Friday, Saturday, or both)

Several of us are driving up Saturday morning, but if you’d like to camp, here are some excellent nearby options:

• Red Bridge River Access Campsites
Primitive walk-in tent sites directly at the trailhead.
Reserve: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10049020

• Government Landing Access Campsites
Primitive riverside camping about 1.8 miles away.
Reserve: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10049020

• Seaton Creek Campground
Family and group sites with direct trail access.
Group reservations: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/250045

• Dispersed Camping Along the Trail
Free primitive camping available along portions of the trail.
Info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/hmnf

🎉 ALL ARE WELCOME!

You are welcome to:
✅ Do both the hike and paddle
✅ Just hike
✅ Just paddle

If you choose hike-only or paddle-only, you will need to coordinate your own shuttle/spotter vehicle.

⚠️ IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
This will be an ACTIVE HIKE and ACTIVE PADDLE.

The Manistee River is a faster-flowing river and requires solid paddling ability. We typically paddle at an average pace of approximately 4–4.5 mph.

The Manistee River Trail is considered intermediate difficulty with elevation changes and uneven terrain.

Please be confident in your physical abilities and preparedness.

⚠️ This is a 100% self-supported event — all participants are responsible for their own safety, gear, hydration, food, and transportation logistics. By participating in this event, you assume full responsibility for your own safety.

🚫 This is not a float trip. We take safety very seriously. Alcohol or drugs are not permitted while participating in club hikes or paddles. We fully support celebrating after the trip, but not during the event.

🛶 A properly worn PFD (life jacket) is REQUIRED at all times while kayaking with WMKC — no exceptions.

As we get closer to the event and know who’s attending, we can coordinate campsites for those wanting to camp near each other.

📩 If you are planning on attending, please shoot me a message and I’ll create a group chat and add you to it so we can keep everyone updated and get an idea of who’s coming. Thanks!

Looking forward to getting back out on the trail and river with everyone! 🚣‍♂️🌲🔥 if you want to join, please shoot myself or Tim a message and will add you to the community chat. If you have any questions make sure you put them in the community chat. I’ll monitor this until we launch on Saturday.

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