DuPage River Day Trip

Finally got back on the water! It's been a long winter, but paddling season is finally here.  I set off on what I thought would be a 30 mile overnight trip, but circumstances changed that to a 22.5 mile day trip. That's a lot of paddling for the first trip of the year, but fortunately I had a great current. 

My original plan was to put in at Mack Road on the western branch. When I got there, there was a sign saying McDowell grove is under construction and impassible on water. So, I jumped back in the car and headed south.
Stopping by McDowell grove, I saw that entire preserve is currently under construction. Instead I kept going to pioneer park, just south of downtown naperville.

I'm going to try and grab more video this year. So enjoy this 11 minute clip of me getting in the water and shoving off for the first time all year. 

The current was flowing at a good 2-3 MPH, so I would finish a 22.5 mile stretch by about 5:30. That also includes an hour of me trying to paddle up Lily Creek. That was a bit of a slick adventure, trying to get around deadfall. Once I realized that my trip was winding down, I called for pickup and got out of there.

Overall, it was a good day. Solid cool weather kept me dry, but there wasn't much wind to freeze me. Despite the challenges, it was a good time.

Put in: Pioneer Park, Naperville
Take Out: Hammel Woods, Shorewood.