upon a variety of factors. A high-gradient stream, for example, will be more runnable after the snow and ice melt or after a hard rain falls. Some recommendations are based on the likelihood of witnessing a surge of dazzling wildflowers in late spring or a brilliant blaze of foliage in early autumn. Sometimes it’s preferable to paddle a stream when the trees are bare to better appreciate the landscape and hills. Sometimes you’ll want to time a trip in accordance with flight migrations of birds. Conversely, there are times to avoid a place because of unbecoming algae blooms or mucky duckweed, mosquitoes, ticks, tourists, or the high heat of summer. These are simply tips based on my own experience, not advisories. Just because I’ve recommended a spring trip doesn’t mean a summer trip won’t work for you.
LANDSCAPE A smorgasbord of paddling environments within 60 miles of Madison awaits exploration, ranging from urban water trails to prairie streams, recreational lakes to floodplain swamps, flat pastureland to towering bluffs, and it is these types of environments that are listed alongside the landscape descriptor.
Finally, in the freestanding Shuttle section of each trip profile, you will find directions in reverse—since, of course, you want to drop a vehicle at the take-out (so it will be there waiting for you at trip’s end), then drive a separate vehicle to the put-in. All of these trips can be shuttled by bicycle, and several even offer dedicated bike-trail shuttle options. Personally, I love the paddle-and-pedal combo (and there is a list of these in Trips at a Glance). It’s a great workout, good for the environment, and a means of experiencing the landscape from a different perspective. I have noted when there is a distinct difference between bike-shuttle and car-shuttle routes. Otherwise, they are the same.
Trips Requiring Special Passes
At least two trips in this book require a Wisconsin State Parks vehicle-admission sticker ($28 annually or $8 daily): Devil’s Lake State Park (Trip 50) and Governor Dodge State Park (Trip 33). If you leave a vehicle within the boundaries of Mirror Lake State Park (Trip 49), you’ll need a sticker here, too.
Furthermore, if you do a bike shuttle on a dedicated trail, you will need a Wisconsin State Trail sticker ($25 annually or $5 daily). Visit tinyurl.com/witrailpassfees for details. If you do a bike shuttle on the two Pecatonica River trips (Trips 36 and 37), you will need a separate Cheese Country Trail sticker ($15 annually); for details, visit tricountytrails.com and click “Trail Stickers” on the left.
Preparing for Rapids and Obstructions (and Wind)
Keep the following in mind: An empty boat stays afloat, even in rapids; it’s when humans get involved that all bets are off. As in most situations that trigger adrenaline, when paddling it’s in your best interest to always stay calm while remaining mindful of your environment. Adapting to the changing dynamics of the current as well as to “suddenly appearing” boulders or tree branches is critical to keeping safe and dry.
Rapids (explained in more detail in the discussion earlier in this introduction regarding water type) are exhilarating but can pose certain dangers, not the least of which are the unexpected objects in water that change its flow. In a certain sense, and for the purposes of the paddling environments you’ll find in this book, paddling in rapids is all about the Vs—from upstream, an obstruction in water creates two angles of deflected current that resemble the letter V. Think of these as signals that you’re coming to a possible barrier to avoid. By contrast, your best friend is the inverted V. That’s usually where there is the most water and the least chance of collision. Think of it as an arrow pointing you in the right direction for billowy fun.
Obstacles are a big part of paddling, so it’s important to consider how they can affect your trip. Sometimes, a strong current can broach (pin) the boat sideways against an obstacle such as a downed tree, which can damage the boat and trap the paddler. If this happens, always lean toward the object the boat is pressed against, never toward the current. When leaning into the obstruction, one can reasonably free oneself by scooting/rocking back and forth or by getting out of the boat and pulling it over the obstruction. (By contrast, if you lean into the current, it will immediately fill up your boat, spin you upside down, and drag the boat beneath the obstruction. This can be extremely dangerous.)
Because there are potential dangers to any paddling excursion, take time to practice the techniques (such as forward and reverse strokes, sweeps and low braces) that enable you to easily maneuver your canoe or kayak. This will help you learn how to maximize your efficiency and not waste energy. Practice your rescue skills as well; this is imperative. Learning how to safely roll or reenter your kayak from the water should you submerge is paramount (see below).
A note about wind: When you’re on the water, especially in flat environments with sparse trees that are highly susceptible to vast sweeps of wind, wind can mean the difference between a pleasant, tranquil outing and a teeth-clenched workout. Windy days usually diminish wildlife sightings as well. When planning for a trip in environments where wind is a factor, I’ve tried to remind you to check the wind forecast early in “The Flavor.”
For further general safety information, Appendix F: Safety Code of American Whitewater.
What to Do When (Not If) You Do Get Dumped
It happens to all of us, at least once: Whether you see it coming before it occurs or it blindsides you, at some point you and your boat will go separate ways. So, what do you do? First and foremost, stay calm and relax. Seriously. Overreacting makes it worse.
What you do next depends on the current and the environment. If the water is deep and slow and the river wide and straight, you’ll probably want to swim to your boat and collect anything that fell out (as long as it floats). If the stream is shallow and the current relatively gentle, chances are pretty good you’ll be able to just stand up.
But if the current is strong and the river rocky and deep, do not stand up and try to walk. Your foot could get stuck underneath a submerged rock or tree root, but the current from behind will knock you over—and a combination of current and confinement could be deadly. Instead, make your way over to the shore with your feet out in front of you, your back flat and belly up. Try as well to keep upstream of your boat, so that it doesn’t run into you or pin you against an object.
In the event that you and your boat are pinned against an object in a river, such as a fallen tree or a boulder, always lean toward the object against which you are pinned. The bottom of your boat will act as a buttress against the current; you will be stuck but safe. If you lean into the current, it will drag you beneath the surface and under the obstruction, which can be lethal.
It bears repeating: Stay calm. Don’t let a couple seconds of panic cost a lifetime.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside: How to Avoid Hypothermia
Generally, if the outside temperature and the water temperature add up
