Muskrat's Wildcat Creek Expeditions
Newsletter.......Chapter ????.......July 2026
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The 41st Annual Indiana Paddlers Rendezvous
July 31st, August 1-2, 2026
Hey Wildcat Paddlers,
The Indiana Paddlers Rendezvous is about a Month away. This Newsletter should provide all the info You need to make Plans and Mark Your Calendar. Make Plans to Attend the IPR, and Enjoy a full weekend of Paddling on the Driftwood River & its Tributaries,Once Again.
Full Event Details, Times, and Locations are included below.
The IPR has proven to be one of the overall best Paddling Events in Indiana. If You've never attended, rest assured it is Worth Your time. Come prepared to enjoy one of the most Fun Paddling Weekends in Indiana, to relax with Old Paddling Buddies, and to make New Paddling Friends.
This event is open to Members of Canoe & Kayak Clubs,
Internet Paddling Groups, and River Protection Organizations
who have their own Personal Equipment and Enough River Skills
for an Enjoyable Day on a Swift Flowing Natural Stream.
Please take this opportunity to pass this Trip Announcement
on to Any of the Above mentioned Organizations with which You have connections.
But please avoid wide open Public, Media,
or Facebook Announcements.
Due to the Horrible Loss of Wildcat Park on Our Wildcat Creek, the Wildcat Guardians were forced to find different locations for the IPR. But, because Indiana is Filled with many Lovely Free Flowing Natural Streams, it did not take long to find another Great Place to move this Annual Event.
Our Base of Operations for 2026 will again be the "Heflin Park", located near Edinburg & Columbus (Directions Below and Attached). We will again be Paddling on the Driftwood River & Sugar Creek. We are also hoping to add the Big Blue River into the IPR this Year.
Muskrat has once again volunteered to be the IPR Trip Leader. Numerous requests for Volunteers will be posted to the Wildcat Guardians and others within the next few weeks, including a request for "Volunteer Shuttle Drivers", "Registration Team", "Lead Boat", "Sweep Boat", and many others. I'm hoping to hear from Many of You who have assisted with these Tasks in the past. If You should have questions about Volunteer positions, please contact Me below:
MUSKRAT'S CONTACT INFO:
Email: garryhill@aol.com
Phone: 765-432-6782
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MUSKRAT's Notes on the IPR:
Here is a Basic Timetable for the IPR,
just in case You receive no further information.
The dates for 2026 are Friday, Saturday, & Sunday,
July 31st & August 1-2.
Directions to all locations are provided below.
Whenever and Where ever
You Arrive at the IPR,
Please Proceed Directly
to the Registration Table.
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FRIDAY July 31st:
The first activity of the IPR weekend will be a Paddling Trip on Friday afternoon. Meeting Time is 3:00-PM at the Launch Site in Heflin Park (Directions Below). We are planning for this Trip to begin on the Big Blue River, at the Irwin Park PAS in Edinburg. This would be a 7-mile Trip that ends at Heflin Park. If that Stream is Too Low, then we will announce a different selection as soon as Everyone has arrived at Heflin Park.
Friday Evening:
There will be a BYO Campfire Cookout somewhere in the Campground following this Paddling Trip. This Party might be at the Shelter House, or at one of the Private Campsites. The Campfire, Entertainment,and Old River Tales will surround the Campfire thru the Evening.
CAMPING.......
Heflin Park (Directions Below & Attached) is the center of the IPR Activities this Year. This Campground has numerous RV & Tent Sites for all sorts of Camping with Full Utilities, including Restrooms & Showers. These Sites at Heflin Park must be Reserved thru the Campground Staff ahead of time, and most all already taken.
Reserve Your Campsite by calling 812-350-1834.
Or visit Heflin Park online:
https://bartholomew.in.gov/parks-and-recreation.html#heflen-park
However, there are several other Campgrounds & Motels located only a few miles away from our IPR Location. There are 7 Full Service Campsites at Irwin Park in Edinburg. For Reservations at Irwin Park, call the Campground Host at 812-371-4440.
All the Heflin Park Campsites are along the Streambank (above)
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SATURDAY August 1st:
Saturday’s Paddling Trip will Meet at the Launch Site in Heflin Park (Directions). This Trip will cover 11.2-miles of Easy Paddling, from Heflin Park to Millrace Park in Columbus. Meeting Time is 9:00-AM at the Launch Site in Heflin Park. The Shuttle will begin as soon as Everyone has arrived and unloaded their Paddling Gear. Lunch at The Gravelbar is BYO. There is a Short-timer Option, which must be discussed with the Shuttle Manager at the Launch Site.
Saturday’s Traditional Chili Supper will begin serving at
6-PM in the Shelter House at Heflin Park
(Directions Below)
>>>>>>> T-Shirt & Chili Supper Reservations are the only advance notice You are asked to provide........
For the Chili Supper, simply provide Your Name and Your Number of Chili Eaters, so Muskrat can make sure to Cook Enough for Everyone. A special T-Shirt Announcement will be provided at a Later Date, which will show the T-Shirt Design, and ask for Reservations.
Please make all T-Shirt & Chili Reservations at garryhill@aol.com.
The Wildcat Guardians Annual Benefit Auction
(one of the most "Laugh-Filled" parts of the entire weekend) will be held Immediately after the Chili Supper in the Shelter House at Heflin Park.
If you have any items to Donate to the Auction, please present them at the Registration Table whenever you arrive. Or, You can contact Muskrat to make Pick-up connections at some other location.
IPR Chili Supper at Wildcat Park Saturday Evening of some Past Year
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SUNDAY August 2nd
Sunday's Paddling Trip will Meet at the Launch Site in Heflin Park (Directions Below & Attached). The Meeting Time is 10:00-AM. This Trip has 2 possible Launch Sites on a Very Scenic Sugar Creek (9.2-miles, or 6.8-miles), depending on Flow Levels. The Drive to the Launch Site will begin as soon as Everyone has arrived. Lunch at The Gravelbar is BYO. This Trip Ends at Heflin Park.
For any questions email garryhill@aol.com,
or call Muskrat at 765-432-6782.
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DIRECTIONS.......
Muskrat's Wildcat Creek Expedition Team utilizes the "Indiana Atlas & Gazetteer" for accurate directions to River Access Locations all over Indiana. This Indiana Map Book is the Absolute Best for River People.
An Address for Navigation Systems is also provided,
If & When Available.
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Directions to Heflin ParkJ
Indiana Atlas & Gazetteer Page 45:
Find where I-65 passes the City of Edinburgh, in the Lower-Middle of Page 45.
Leave I-65 at Exit-76B…….….....Green Sign: US-31 North Edinburgh æ
…….and Quickly move into the Left Lane.
At the 1st Traffic Light, turn LEFT onto Hartman Drive…….
.......Hardee’s on the corner.
Follow the long LEFT Curve past the Storage Units and Motel.
At a Stop Sign (in a Wide-Open Area), turn LEFT…….
.......Truck Storage up ahead.
At the next Stop Sign, turn RIGHT on Heflin Road.
Follow the 3-Curves, (Avoiding the “No Outlet” Sign)…….
…….then continue STRAIGHT AHEAD past a Small Gray Building.
The Entrance to Heflin Park is on the LEFT.......
.......Just after passing “Blue’s Self Storage”.
Turn LEFT at the White Sign: Blue’s Canoe Livery
When the Entrance Road arrives at the River, the Landing is on the RIGHT,
in between some of the Campsites. There is a Gravel Launch Ramp with a
Slightly Muddy Landing, and Unlimited Parking Space in the Grass across the Road.
The Office & Restrooms are at the Top of the Rise, just past the Shelter Houses.
For Navigation Systems: Heflin Park
4323-W 700-N, Edinburgh, IN 46124
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There will be IPR Signs Directing You To Heflin Park
after leaving the Highways.
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There will also be IPR Paint Markings that will direct You to Every Location for the IPR.
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See You At The IPR,
Muskrat
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GarryHill@aol.com
765-432-6782
Snail-Mail to 1021 Eastcrest Drive, Greentown, IN 46936-1612
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Visit Wildcat Creek On-line at the following sites:
http://www.wildcatguardians.org/
Heflin Park Brochure 2026.......Printable (2).pdf
