Upper Peninsula of Michigan

L'Anse area

• Falls River (Baraga, Co., MI, in L'Anse)
• Huron River, E. Branch (Baraga, Co., MI, 20 mi. east of L'Anse)
• Huron River, W. Branch (Baraga, Co., MI, 20 mi. east of L'Anse)
• Ravine River (Baraga, Co., MI, 12 mi. east of L'Anse)
• Rock River (Baraga, Co., MI, 12 mi. south of L'Anse)
• Silver River, lower section (Baraga, Co., MI, 8 mi. east of L'Anse)
• Silver River, upper section (Baraga, Co., MI, 8 mi. east of L'Anse)
• Slate River (Baraga, Co., MI, 12 mi. east of L'Anse)
• Sturgeon River, Canyon (Baraga, Co., MI, 9 mi. south of L'Anse)
• Sturgeon River, Gorge (Houghton Co., MI, 9 mi. north of Sidnaw)
• Yellow Dog River (Marquette Co., MI, 16 mi. northwest of Marquette)

For about two weeks in late April and early May kayakers descend upon L'Anse, MI for some of the finest and most challenging whitewater in the midwest. On the few weekends when the water is up, kayakers can be found camping along the Silver River telling river stories, consuming vast quantities of chips and salsa, and waiting for dinner to finish cooking on the Coleman stove. The many creeks in the area are fueled during the spring melt. Some years there is not enough snow to bring the water up on all these runs, but after a winter of heavy snow there are enough options to keep any creek boater happy. The runs in this area can generally be described as expert creek runs. Most of the water is solid class III and IV with some real class V gems. The typical run tends to consist of several ledges, a few waterfalls, a canyon section, some nasty holes, and a couple sweepers that grab you if you don't take time to scout. If you boat here you need to be able to catch eddies where eddies don't exist. Occasionally, water levels in these runs can reach suicidal levels. In particular be aware of the Sturgeon River and the Silver River at high water.