HURON, EAST BRANCH (Baraga Co.,
MI, 20 mi. east of L'Anse)
LENGTH 5 mi., CLASS III-IV, GRADIENT:
SEASON: A week or two in early spring.
PUT-IN: logging road that runs along the border of Baraga Co. and Marquette Co.
TAKEOUT: Big Erik's bridge across the river
GAGE: Tape measurement from second rebar from the left bank on the upstream side of Big Erik's bridge (7'7" is a great level if you plan to run everything)
FUN FACT: great drops, fun rapids, mean holes, and a canyon
FIRST DESCENT: Jim Rada and the Minnesota boaters
SHUTTLE: From the takeout, drive east across Big Erik's bridge. The road turns south to follow a creek on the left side of the road and climbs up a moderate incline. After about 4 miles the road makes a hard turn to the east across the Marquette Co. line. After this curve a logging road splits off to the south. From this point it is about a mile to the river. Go along this logging road which within several yards cuts back to the west. Follow this road a short distance to a clearing and take the road at the northwest corner of the clearing. It is a straight and flat road (probably an old railroad bed) that cuts directly to the river.
This is one of those runs that takes just the right set of conditions because when the river has water, the put-in road can be a challenge even with four-wheel drive. Usually you have at least a mile to hike with your boat depending on how far you can make it up the road.
Once on the water though you will soon forget about your adventure to the put-in. We can almost guarantee that you will have one, so be prepared for what to do when your truck is stuck a foot deep in mud.
The river starts out with easy rapids and some nice ledges that you can boat scout. Proceed cautiously around blind corners though because the big drops on this run can sneak up on you pretty quick. The first major drop is Big Falls which you can scout on river right. There are a couple of ledges above the drop that create a challenge when you are working to line yourself up for the final plunge, a steep 15 foot slide that drops into a big pool. The river continues with more little ledges before the river starts to cut its way into a canyon. The first drop into the canyon is not a big one but the entire river funnels into a large hole than can look pretty mean at some water levels. If you are not ready to punch it you may want to consider portaging the canyon on river right.
Once in the canyon, the river picks up a bit and passes over some small ledges before making a hard turn to the left towards the approach to the big drop on this run. It's a good idea to get out before you are right on top of the drop so when you come to a blind corner, grab an eddy on river left and choose your last eddy before the drop carefully. The drop, called You Turn, is a real treat, but it is not trivial. The entire river funnels through a narrow slot and shoots you deep into the pool at the bottom. The pool is not very big and the river immediately takes a 90 degree turn to the right and immediately drops over another set of ledges.
If you have just completed a successful run of You Turn look for the portagers in the group to start making their way down the bank on river right just downstream. You have a final set of ledges and one last drop with a big hole at the bottom. You might make it through the entire run with ease and still get tripped up in this hole so choose your line carefully. The river lets up considerably and it is a short paddle to the confluence with the West Branch and the takeout.
You can paddle Lower Falls just below the takeout bridge. It looks like you could find some nice surfing spots, but there is usually a pretty big crowd of fisherman that you would surely piss off. We figure that in the interest of maintaining good relations--you never know when you might need help pulling your shuttle vehicle out of a foot of mud--it is best to let the fishermen keep this drop for themselves.
26 April 1997, Guy Babbitt, Steve Corsi, Mike Evanston, Harry House, Bill Obrien, Tom O'Keefe, 7'7" a perfect level