Lake Monroe Overnight Paddle                       
Saturday-Sunday, Nov.4-5, 2017
Trip Sponsor: Jim Sprandel

What better way to celebrate paddling our last club trip of 2017 than with an overnight trip in Deem Wilderness on Lake Monroe.   This is our annual fall pilgrimage and we will camp out on the peninsula across from Cutright Public Access Site. 

If you only want to paddle on Saturday, you can day paddle with us on Saturday if you don't want to camp out.  We will camp near the point of the peninsula in Deem Wilderness so it's only a 2-mile paddle back to our put-in at the Cutright Public Access Site.

Meeting Place/Put-In: Cutright Public Access Site. Turn left into Cutright after you cross the causeway going South on 446.  We will launch from the first ramp that you come to within Cutright.

Driving Note: Indiana University football plays Wisconsin on this weekend so there could be congestion in Bloomington.  They have not announced the start time for this game yet.  In addition, Highway 37 is undergoing a lot of construction between Indy and Bloomington so factor in extra time if you come that way or think about coming down I65 to IN46.

Expected Paddling Conditions: Lake Monroe is a big lake and conditions vary with the weather - paddlers should feel comfortable paddling in 2-foot waves from all directions and be able to paddle 8 miles.  Due to possible lake conditions, kayaks with fore and aft bulkheads and spray skirts are recommended.
If the air/water temperature drops, wet suits or dry suits are strongly recommended.

What to Bring: Bring your paddling gear, spray skirt, camping gear, food for lunch, dinner, and breakfast, and warm dress.  You should also bring drinking water with you.

We will be camping from our kayaks and you will have to pack all your gear in your boat so plan accordingly.  

Be sure to have an Indiana DNR Boat Permit before you come since the DNR office and Paynetown SRA gate may not be open that Saturday.

Schedule:

Saturday –10:30 am -Ready to Launch from Cutright PAS  
We will probably paddle 3-4 miles, set up camp, and then explore more of the lake.

Sunday:  We are flexible here.  We could return to Cutright as early as 10:00 am.  We’ll figure out a plan Saturday night depending on lake conditions, how far people want to paddle on Sunday, and when people want to be home.  In the past, the group has gone straight back to Cutright and those people wanting more adventure head back out – occasionally heading over to Allen’s Creek on the west side of the causeway.

Contact information:  Jim Sprandel, merlin-3d@sbcglobal.net
Please contact me by 7:00 pm on the Thursday before the trip if you want to come.  Be sure to contact me since I will be monitoring weather and will notify people if we need to adjust our plans due to weather for this late season paddle.