Trip Date: July 24, 2024
Run Time: 1 hr 10 min (typical, with moderate amount of paddling/relaxing)
Weather: Warm with moderate wind
Water Level: 6.3 at USGS near Cedarburg
Overview:
This is a beautiful section of the Milwaukee River, very serene for being this close to the city. The mini dells just south of Lime Kiln Park remind you of the Wisconsin Dells, albeit a smaller version. There are small riffles and rapids, but paddlers must pay attention to water levels, as certain sections can be dangerous at higher levels.
Notes:
Nice put in at Lime Kiln park in Grafton. Plenty of parking, bathroom at park entrance. But launch is rocky and puts you right into the flow of the river, need to be prepared to immediately hit a flowing section of water. Immediately see a small section of dells that are similar but much smaller than Wisconsin Dells. River splits about 10 minutes in, with small rapids both ways, make sure to stay right.. I had to navigate a small window between downed trees, but was very doable. Rest of paddle is scenic and peaceful, with only a few backyards. Saw Great Blue Herons and a Bald Eagle. Takeout at Garrison’s Glen is a nice ramp but comes up quick on left after the bridge. There was some scraping at 6.3, wouldn’t want to do it much lower, could maybe do 6.2 or 6.1.
