WOLF RIVER, SECTION 3 (Langlade Co., at Langlade)

LENGTH 14 mi., CLASS II (II+), GRADIENT: 18' per mile

SEASON: A good beginner run through the summer months. A real kick for more advanced boaters in early spring.

PUT-IN: Private raft launch in a field on the west side of the river off of Hwy. M. An alternative public put-in is available at the Hwy. 64 Bridge in Langlade.

TAKEOUT: Wild Wolf Inn (715-882-8611) near the border of Menominee Co. and Langlade Co. on Hwy. 55.

GAGE: USGS Gage at Langlade. The minimum flow is 250 cfs. 500 cfs is a good level and at 800 cfs the run becomes more challenging. Kayakers typically refer to a staff gage on Section 3. The following approximate conversions can be used to interpret this gage: 21"= 1200 cfs, 18"= 950 cfs, 15" = 750 cfs, 12" = 600 cfs, 9" = 450 cfs, 6" = 350 cfs, 3" = 250 cfs.

FUN FACT: One of the standard beginner runs.

SHUTTLE (MAP): From the Wild Wolf Inn drive north a short distance on Hwy. 55 and turn west across the river onto Hwy. M. Follow M for about 2.5 miles until you see a driveway through a field on your right. The gate is often locked when rafters are not using the river so you may have to carry your boat to the river. Inquire at Whitewater Specialty as to the current parking situation. The parking area is owned by a rafting outfitter so you do not want to park in the bus turn around area. If you are using the put-in at Langlade, run your shuttle using Hwy. 55.

ISSUES: The single most important issue facing this river over the years has been the proposed Zinc and Copper mine at the headwaters 11 miles north of Lily, WI near Little Sand Lake. The River Alliance of Wisconsin can provide you with information on how the mine and its current status.

Along with the lower section of the Red River, this run is popular for instructional groups. Unlike the Red, however, it is a popular raft run. You can put on early morning or late afternoon or you can just deal with it and grab an eddy quick when a raft is bearing down on top of you. The most popular kayak run starts at the raft put-in on the west side of the river off of Hwy. M. Check with local kayakers or Whitewater Specialty as this is a private landing. The alternative put-in is on the west side of the river at the Hwy. 64 bridge.

The rapids from the Hwy. 64 bridge to the raft launch are fun if there is water, but they get kind of bony at low water. None are particularly challenging and there is a fair amount of flat water to paddle. The lower half of the run offers more challenging rapids that are more closely packed together.

Starting from the raft launch you will encounter a long stretch of flatwater with large boulders. The boulders make a good place to practice eddy turns. The first drop is Boy Scout Rapids. You can usually boat scout this rapid and eddy hop down. You can recognize it by a foot bridge that crosses the river here. There is a large eddy with room for several boats on river left just after you go under this first bridge. It is a good spot to practice ferries back and forth across the current. Below the bridge, the rapid continues for a few hundred yards and you boat under a second bridge. In the past this rapid has been the site of slalom races sponsored by the Hoofer Outing Club. After Boy Scout Rapids, you will encounter short stretches of whitewater with some flatwater. A large rock on the river left bank is a popular lunch spot in this stretch.

The next rapid downstream is Hanson's Rapids. You can scout this rapid on river right along a trail that parallels the river. There is a large pool above this drop. The first pitch forms a really nice sidesurfing wave and there is a pretty good eddy on river right with room for several boats. The next pitch is often followed by large standing waves. Sometimes they offer playboating opportunities. From the end of this rapid it is a short distance to the County Hwy. M bridge and the takeout.

The last major rapid is Gilmore's Mistake at the takeout. You come to it shortly after passing under the County Hwy. M Bridge. You can land on the rocks below the Wild Wolf Inn on river left to scout it. This is the biggest drop on this stretch of river. The river descends to the pool at the bottom about 100 yds. away in three pitches. At the top are a couple of nice waves, one of which is particularly challenging to get on. As you pass the big boulder on river left the river slides down a steep slide into a river-wide hole. It is not sticky if you are just blasting through but it can be a great surfing spot. Below this slide, the river goes over another short drop and then through a boulder field to the pool at the takeout. This is a really fun rapid that can offer hours of playboating pleasure. If you get blown down to the bottom, hike your boat back up and do it again. This takeout is a good place to arrange to meet people. If they are late you can keep yourself occupied in the water.