Elkhorn Paddler Trip Reports
To view reports from previously held trips, scroll down.
To view reports from previously held trips, scroll down.
OCTOBER 2025
Proud Mary Trip Report
10 paddlers (and 2 young 'uns!) enjoyed a beautiful day on September 13, paddling from Fort Boonesborough
to Proud Mary BBQ. We also enjoyed the spectacular Palisades that rise up along Boone Creek. We wrapped
up the afternoon enjoying briskets, burgers, BBQ and live music at Proud Mary's.
Thanks, Kevin Bartell, for leading this great trip!
Proud Mary Trip Report
10 paddlers (and 2 young 'uns!) enjoyed a beautiful day on September 13, paddling from Fort Boonesborough
to Proud Mary BBQ. We also enjoyed the spectacular Palisades that rise up along Boone Creek. We wrapped
up the afternoon enjoying briskets, burgers, BBQ and live music at Proud Mary's.
Thanks, Kevin Bartell, for leading this great trip!
AUGUST 2025
We hope everyone had a great summer!
Summer easy paddle and swim from Longbow ramp Cave Run Lake, 7/25/25
Four paddlers enjoyed a hot summer day on and in the water at Cave Run. We did a total of 4.7 easy miles paddling to near the Leatherwood ramp staying mostly in the shade of trees near the banks. It was a usual weekday at the lake with not much motorboat traffic making the paddle quite enjoyable and allowed for some bird watching. We saw a red shouldered hawk fly over and stopped in the water to see a bald eagle soar over the trees catching thermals. On the return trip to Longbow, we stopped for a swim and lunch/snack break. The water was very warm but refreshing, a great end to a hot summer day.
Participants: Virginia, Marian, David, Aurora
News
Removal of the dam on Elkhorn Creek at Great Crossing Park in Georgetown is underway. Below is a recent photo: (Photo credit: Freeman Kelly Dronography)
SYOTW!
We hope everyone had a great summer!
Summer easy paddle and swim from Longbow ramp Cave Run Lake, 7/25/25
Four paddlers enjoyed a hot summer day on and in the water at Cave Run. We did a total of 4.7 easy miles paddling to near the Leatherwood ramp staying mostly in the shade of trees near the banks. It was a usual weekday at the lake with not much motorboat traffic making the paddle quite enjoyable and allowed for some bird watching. We saw a red shouldered hawk fly over and stopped in the water to see a bald eagle soar over the trees catching thermals. On the return trip to Longbow, we stopped for a swim and lunch/snack break. The water was very warm but refreshing, a great end to a hot summer day.
Participants: Virginia, Marian, David, Aurora
News
Removal of the dam on Elkhorn Creek at Great Crossing Park in Georgetown is underway. Below is a recent photo: (Photo credit: Freeman Kelly Dronography)
SYOTW!
Switzer Paddle April 19, 2025
By Dave Stawicki
Despite some hiccups in the past, this year's trip on the North Elkhorn from Switzer Bridge to Forks of Elkhorns was ideal. The flooding rains of early April cleaned out the creek and provided enough initial water that when we finally got around to putting on, it was perfect. So 10 of us got out the boats and headed toward Frankfort for a leisurely--about 4 hours--float.
Temperatures were warm and the clouds kept the sun from baking us (though I did get a head start on my farmer's tan). There was plenty of time for socializing with the new Elkhorn Paddler members who joined us for this paddle (they were also first timers on N. Elkhorn) and, since it's spring, we had our share of wildlife sightings. Canada Geese, Blue Herons and turtles abounded, plus the resident eagle in her nest and possible sightings of otter and owl.
Shawnee National Forest/Lower Cache River April 28 – May 1
By Aurora Rubel
What a great trip! Six paddlers/hikers attended. Except for one day when the sun came out, weather was threatening most of the time. We dodged it by referring to our weather apps and hitting the water at the right time. We paddled Dutchman Lake (Monday), and Devil’s Kitchen Lake (Tuesday), and Lower Cache River Canoe Trail (Friday) for a total of 14 miles. Dutchman Lake is a 118-acre gem nestled in the hills of the Shawnee Forest. The small lake has two feeder creeks (Dutchman and Grasshopper) which were also paddled. This lake has an abundance of hawks, egrets, herons, waterfowl, eagles and a variety of smaller birds.
Following the paddle, a short hike to the Dutchman’s Creek waterfall was done. Devil’s Kitchen is an 800-acre lake which has a kayak/canoe landing on a feeder creek, which we used to paddle to a large finger of the lake. At one point on the creek, we thought we would have to portage around a major log jam, but Virginia found a kayak-wide hole and we all managed to squeak through pulling ourselves through with tree branches. Lots of hawks, herons, an eagle, and waterfowl were seen.
We then headed to Giant City Illinois State Park to eat at the lodge with the intention of hiking after, but while eating a major rain/thunderstorm cancelled our hiking plans. Wednesday the forecast was for rain showers most of the day, so hiking was on tap,rain gear in tow. We headed to Garden of the Gods State Park for a magnificent and breathtaking hike. Lunch was at Hole in the Rock State Park a few miles away on the Ohio River followed by a short hike to see the “hole,” a very interesting cave on the banks of the Ohio River and watched a few barges pass by.
The Lower Cache River Canoe trail was our paddle on the last day. Unfortunately, due to politics, the Wetland Visitor Center is closed for the foreseeable future, but the canoe access was still open. The Illinois Champion Bald Cypress tree is in this section of wetlands. The Prothonotary Warbler is very prominent here and many were seen. After a wonderful paddle, we went for a hike at nearby Heron Pond Nature Preserve along the Cache River. This Preserve has a mature cypress with hundreds of knees and Cherrybark oak trees. We were able to photograph a water moccasin resting on a branch near a boardwalk. Every evening, we did potluck meals at the campground and ended the day with chats around the firepit.
Participants: Dan, Nancy, Jack, Virginia, Mike, and me.
By Aurora Rubel
What a great trip! Six paddlers/hikers attended. Except for one day when the sun came out, weather was threatening most of the time. We dodged it by referring to our weather apps and hitting the water at the right time. We paddled Dutchman Lake (Monday), and Devil’s Kitchen Lake (Tuesday), and Lower Cache River Canoe Trail (Friday) for a total of 14 miles. Dutchman Lake is a 118-acre gem nestled in the hills of the Shawnee Forest. The small lake has two feeder creeks (Dutchman and Grasshopper) which were also paddled. This lake has an abundance of hawks, egrets, herons, waterfowl, eagles and a variety of smaller birds.
Following the paddle, a short hike to the Dutchman’s Creek waterfall was done. Devil’s Kitchen is an 800-acre lake which has a kayak/canoe landing on a feeder creek, which we used to paddle to a large finger of the lake. At one point on the creek, we thought we would have to portage around a major log jam, but Virginia found a kayak-wide hole and we all managed to squeak through pulling ourselves through with tree branches. Lots of hawks, herons, an eagle, and waterfowl were seen.
We then headed to Giant City Illinois State Park to eat at the lodge with the intention of hiking after, but while eating a major rain/thunderstorm cancelled our hiking plans. Wednesday the forecast was for rain showers most of the day, so hiking was on tap,rain gear in tow. We headed to Garden of the Gods State Park for a magnificent and breathtaking hike. Lunch was at Hole in the Rock State Park a few miles away on the Ohio River followed by a short hike to see the “hole,” a very interesting cave on the banks of the Ohio River and watched a few barges pass by.
The Lower Cache River Canoe trail was our paddle on the last day. Unfortunately, due to politics, the Wetland Visitor Center is closed for the foreseeable future, but the canoe access was still open. The Illinois Champion Bald Cypress tree is in this section of wetlands. The Prothonotary Warbler is very prominent here and many were seen. After a wonderful paddle, we went for a hike at nearby Heron Pond Nature Preserve along the Cache River. This Preserve has a mature cypress with hundreds of knees and Cherrybark oak trees. We were able to photograph a water moccasin resting on a branch near a boardwalk. Every evening, we did potluck meals at the campground and ended the day with chats around the firepit.
Participants: Dan, Nancy, Jack, Virginia, Mike, and me.
Middle Red River May 4, 2025
By Dave Stawicki
Sixth time is a charm!
My Red River trips have suffered pressure in coming about over the last several years:
• 2020 - COVID, trip cancelled
• 2021 - a road washout caused us to lose parking at put-in, trip cancelled
• 2022 - water level too high, trip cancelled
• 2023 - water level too low, trip relocated
• 2024 - water level too low, trip relocated
Despite this being my “Derby Day trip,” this year I scheduled for the day after Derby. This became a roller-coaster ride as river levels went up, then down, then last minute rains (you watched the Derby, right?) which caused indecision as to whether this would be the 6th consecutive cancellation. As the rains increased levels in rivers and creeks all around us, it somehow left the Red to its own devices.
Ultimately, 4 staunch paddlers agreed to a last-minute decision (read: 7 a.m. the morning of the paddle!) and were rewarded with near-excellent conditions for our paddle. Water level was great for a relaxing float, skies kept switching between clouds and sun, temps were lower than normal but still comfortable. Once on the water we were able to relax, float with little effort, socialize and watch the majesty of Red River Gorge fill our eyes. Trees were greening, there was an abundance of birds and even a few turtles made an appearance. Plus the immediately previous bad weather kept many casual visitors away, giving us the river all to ourselves (did not see another paddler on the river, or at put-in or take-out; possibly WE were the weird ones) both on & off the water.
Whereas I can't recommend challenging the weather forecasters at all times, the chance paid off for us in 2025. Now that the cancellation streak is over, I am hoping I can get back to an annual float on this river.
By Dave Stawicki
Sixth time is a charm!
My Red River trips have suffered pressure in coming about over the last several years:
• 2020 - COVID, trip cancelled
• 2021 - a road washout caused us to lose parking at put-in, trip cancelled
• 2022 - water level too high, trip cancelled
• 2023 - water level too low, trip relocated
• 2024 - water level too low, trip relocated
Despite this being my “Derby Day trip,” this year I scheduled for the day after Derby. This became a roller-coaster ride as river levels went up, then down, then last minute rains (you watched the Derby, right?) which caused indecision as to whether this would be the 6th consecutive cancellation. As the rains increased levels in rivers and creeks all around us, it somehow left the Red to its own devices.
Ultimately, 4 staunch paddlers agreed to a last-minute decision (read: 7 a.m. the morning of the paddle!) and were rewarded with near-excellent conditions for our paddle. Water level was great for a relaxing float, skies kept switching between clouds and sun, temps were lower than normal but still comfortable. Once on the water we were able to relax, float with little effort, socialize and watch the majesty of Red River Gorge fill our eyes. Trees were greening, there was an abundance of birds and even a few turtles made an appearance. Plus the immediately previous bad weather kept many casual visitors away, giving us the river all to ourselves (did not see another paddler on the river, or at put-in or take-out; possibly WE were the weird ones) both on & off the water.
Whereas I can't recommend challenging the weather forecasters at all times, the chance paid off for us in 2025. Now that the cancellation streak is over, I am hoping I can get back to an annual float on this river.
Mother’s Day Trip Sunday May 11, 2025
By Nancy Moore
For the second year in a row, we had perfect weather and perfect water levels for the Mother's Day trip on Elkhorn Creek. Twelve kayakers set off from the big parking area at Elkhorn Acres, but quite soon a big root ball rose up and dumped one of us. It was really a matter of two boats trying to occupy the same space. During our lunch stop we were entertained by an eagle that flew two big circles right above us and then was attacked by a hawk.
A tree snuck out and dumped another paddler in the second half of the trip. It was getting hot by then and we almost envied him the quick cooling off. The takeout at the small ramp at Still Waters Campground still had some mud from the big flood and was a bit tricky, but thankfully nobody got unintentionally cooled off there.
There were few other people on the creek, mostly fishermen, making this a great time to be out there. We still had 12 people at the end thanks to the great sweeping efforts of George and Monica, and no accidents on the muddy ramp due to Bob's great help at takeout. See you all next Mother's Day!
By Nancy Moore
For the second year in a row, we had perfect weather and perfect water levels for the Mother's Day trip on Elkhorn Creek. Twelve kayakers set off from the big parking area at Elkhorn Acres, but quite soon a big root ball rose up and dumped one of us. It was really a matter of two boats trying to occupy the same space. During our lunch stop we were entertained by an eagle that flew two big circles right above us and then was attacked by a hawk.
A tree snuck out and dumped another paddler in the second half of the trip. It was getting hot by then and we almost envied him the quick cooling off. The takeout at the small ramp at Still Waters Campground still had some mud from the big flood and was a bit tricky, but thankfully nobody got unintentionally cooled off there.
There were few other people on the creek, mostly fishermen, making this a great time to be out there. We still had 12 people at the end thanks to the great sweeping efforts of George and Monica, and no accidents on the muddy ramp due to Bob's great help at takeout. See you all next Mother's Day!