POPPLE RIVER, (Florence Co., WI, 3 miles north of Fence)

LENGTH 10 mi., CLASS II-III(IV), GRADIENT: 16' per mile

SEASON: A couple weeks in early spring.

PUT-IN: Follow Morgan Lake Road West from the junction of Highway C and 101. Turn north at the juction after less than two miles and then in anothe mile follow FR 2159 (the left fork) to the bridge across the river.

TAKEOUT: Highway 101 bridge across the Popple.

GAGE: USGS gage near Fence. 150 cfs is the minimal flow for this river. Check the rapids downstream from the FR2159 bridge.

FUN FACT: A tributary to the Pine River with a couple of big drops.

SHUTTLE: Follow FR 2159 back to the Y junction and take the other fork heading north and follow it around to where it joins Highway 101. Take 101 north to the river and continue across the bridge to the parking area downstream on river left. For a long day, and those who plan to continue beyond the Highway 101 bridge, head back towards Fence and drive 5 miles east on Co. Hwy. C from Hwy. 101. At this point turn north onto White Birch Rd. This road heads straight north for 4 miles and then makes a 90 degree turn to the west and ends in less than 1 mile at White Ash Rd. Turn north onto this road and continue 2 miles until the road ends at the Pine River (paddlers should be warned that conditions on this road can be marginal--another option is to paddle upstream on the Pine River to the Highway 101 bridge across the Pine River).

This run consists of a beautiful stretch of whitewater only runnable during periods of high water. The stretch from 2159 to Hwy 101, through Little Bull and Big Bull, is the most popular run.

There are a number of fun rapids on this stretch with a couple of good drops. The first significant drop, Little Bull, typically rates class II+. Little Bull comes up shortly after 2159 and can be recognized by a small cabin on the left. It starts with a sequence of rapids that leads to a ledge drop (known for tipping a lot of boats), and is then followed by a pool and a long rapids. Big Bull is basically a Class III drop on the right side of an island. It is difficult to recognize the rapid so those planning their first trip should go with someone who knows the run. Non paddlers can view the show from an access trail off Highway 101.

The stretch downstream of 101 includes Washburn and Jennings Falls with quiet water in between. Although this beautiful stretch continues through a fantastic part of the Pine but it is less frequently run because it makes for a very long day and it is much less accessible (there is no convenient takeout at the confluence of the Popple and Pine). Washburn Falls is a significant drop (class IV) where the river drops about 25 feet in a hundred yards ending with a 6' drop.

Thanks for Rich Krieg for contributing to the description of this run.