Mighty Clinton River (MCR) !!: End of the Year and New Years Day MCR Paddle

Well we're coming to the end of another year tomorrow night. All in all I'd have to say it was a pretty good year for paddling the MCR. The Spring rains stayed with us into Summer and we had some heavy rains here and there to keep the water flowing fine!

On January 1st we will once again meet to enjoy the MCR and surrounding flora & fauna by paddling, hiking, skiing or snowshoeing in and along the Mighty Clinton River. No one has been down in a few weeks or even over a month now, so we're not sure what condition the river will be in regard to dead falls. We have had a few high wind days so I am sure something is down that we are unaware of. The plan is to launch at Noon from Avon & Livernois behind the Doctor offices and paddle to Yates with a stop for a campfire and some food on Rock Island. Some people may decide to paddle, they will post on the Face Book page so we know their plans. Others plan to hike it in since the water is kind of low and the temperatures are lower! The prediction is for 1-3" of snow that day, we're getting something out there right now as I write this on Monday evening. I myself am leaning towards hiking in. I'll be bringing a couple of growlers from Lily's Seafood & Brewery (Royal Oak, MI) and also some shrimp to boil!

If you are planning to join us, here are some logistical notes.

1) If you plan to paddle, you should have your boats and gear dropped at Avon & Livernois by 11:30, then run shuttle and get back so we can try to launch by Noon.
2) If you plan to hike it in, you can park at 2nd Street of Letica Drive and walk the path until you get to the end of the fence for the treatment plant, then turn towards the river and follow the path upstream a few hundred yards and you will see Rock Island which is actually a gravel bank with some trees on it, but it kind of looks like an island.
3) We plan to have a fire going and start cooking about 1pm to give any paddlers time to get there from A&L