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IPC Season Kickoff Trip

April 27, 2008

In celebration of the

Upper Des Plaines River Water Trail

Join the Illinois Paddling Council, paddling clubs from around the state and individual paddlers to Kick-Off the 2008 paddling season. This year’s Kick-Off trip celebrates the Upper Des Plaines River Watertrail and the Lake County Forest Preserve District’s partnership with the IPC and Openlands new Water TrailKeepers program. Find out what’s upstream of the Des Plaines Marathon racecourse!

We will paddle 6.25 miles from the Van Patten Woods Canoe Launch (Russell Road) just downstream from the Wisconsin border to the Wadsworth Road Canoe Launch.

This is a very calm stretch of the Des Plaines; the gradient is negligible, but beaver dams may provide some small eddies to play in depending on water levels. Wide open wetlands and savannahs dominate the upper half of this section, while the lower half is a mix of forested patches and open areas.

Meet: at 10:00 a.m. at the Van Patten Woods Canoe Launch put-in and be ready to shuttle by 10:30 a.m.

Directions to Van Patten Canoe Launch:

From the Tri-State Tollway, I-94 (either direction), exit at Russell Road and go EAST

Drive about 1 mile to the Des Plaines River. Just east of the river is the entrance to the canoe launch. Turn RIGHT (south)

Shuttle directions to the Wadsworth Road Canoe Launch:

Go back out on Russell Rd. turn LEFT (West) and drive past the Tri-State Tollway to Old Rt. 41 (approx. 1.45 miles)

Turn LEFT (South) onto Old Rt. 41. Stay to the left at the split to enter Rt. 41 (do not re-enter I94 on the right)

Drive approximately 4.2 miles south to Wadsworth Road. Turn LEFT (East) and go .4 miles, cross the Des Plaines and

Turn RIGHT (South) into the Wadsworth Rd. Canoe Launch. If the parking lot is full we have arranged overflow parking in the TSC Ferrite parking lot on the north side of Wadsworth Road immediately across the street from the launchsite entrance

Shuttle back to Put-In:Turn WEST on Wadsworth Road and go 0.4 miles to Rt. 41. Turn RIGHT (North) and return to Russell Road

Trip Requirements: All participants must wear a properly fitted PFD (life jacket). Be prepared for cold water and possible immersion, (wear synthetics/bring change of clothing in a dry bag).

Insurance fee: Free to ACA members (be sure you bring your ACA membership card and/or ACA number). A $5 event insurance fee applies for non-ACA members. Alternatively, the ACA also offers a 6-month “trial” membership which includes two copies of PADDLER MAGAZINE for the low, low price of $10!

In Case of Bad Weather or High Water: The trip may be postponed to Sunday, May 4th or moved to another body of water if safety considerations dictate. Check the IPC website @ http://www.illinoispaddling.org or Contact Paul Klonowski for last minute info: 847/687-2477

Post Paddle Party at Flatlanders Restaurant & Brew Pub in Lincolnshire on the north side of Rt. 22 just east of Milwaukee (Rt.21) - www.flatlanders.com

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