Chronology, Stats & Obstacles
Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy, 2003
Guinness Record Setting Event for 2 different rare diseases!
The Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy, May 2003 Chronology, Statistics and Obstacles
***Assembled by Clark Eid in February of 2019.
This chronology is based on notes, GPS data, charts that were current at that time and witness signed forms, to the best of our recollection at this time. We assembled this from our notes/logs to help others who may attempt to paddle the entire Mississippi River.
Please note river miles can change over the course of years because the river changes. Although the Mississippi River originally separated states, today, sometimes the same state is on both sides of the river. All attempts are unique because the river changes course over time... for example, the initial bogs in northern MN may change/open up because of the bogs and beaver dams and water height for example.. ... locks and dams may close or open .... sand bars shift.... flooding and weather can change everything.... dangers/weather patterns can shift significantly in favor or against paddlers... The river charts we used at the beginning of our journey were published in 1990.... the ones you use today may have minor differences.
Because we started at 6 AM, each 24 hour day starts the following day at 6 AM.
May 10th, 2003; Saturday; Day 1
Time River Mile Comments
6:00 am 1347 Start from Headwaters
6:26 am 1345 Passed HWY 200 Bridge
7:30 am 1339 Vicker’s Dam, portaged river-left
10:05 am 1335.5 Passed Co. Rd. 2 Bridge
? 1333.2 Arrived HWY 40 Bridge, food pit (no GPS)
? - (Departed)
9:15 am 1330.5 Passed Coffee Pot Landing, food hung from bridge (Witness, no GPS)
? 1330.5 Arrived Co. Rd. 5 River Level Gauge, food pit (no GPS)
11:15 am - (Departed)
2:00 pm 1298.7 Passed Iron Bridge
3:45 pm 1289 (GPS end of track, still moving)
4:50 pm 1284.5 Arrived Lake Bemidji Park, food pit, camera mounted
5:10 pm - (Departed)
6:15 pm 1279 Met family on river-left before Stump Lake, got cookies, stopped 2 min.
6:55 pm 1276 Arrived Ottertail Power Co. Dam, portaged river-right
7:00 pm - (Departed)
7:10 pm 1275 Ran aground in shallow water
8:34 pm 1267.5 Arrived Co. Rd. 8 Bridge, stopped 2 min., food pit
8:55 pm 1265.5 Passed Co. Rd. 33 Bridge
9:00 pm 1265 Start of Cross Lake, paused to put on gear
10:40 pm 1257 End of Cross Lake, arrived Knutson Dam on river-left, moved to river-right to portage
11:15 pm - (Departed)
May 11th, 2003; Sunday; Day 2 starts at 6 AM
12:34 am 1251 Took wrong turn into channel leading South into Lydick Brook
12:54 am - (Corrected mistake, back on track)
1:58 am 1247 Arrived at Reese Landing, food pit and clothes changed
2:22 am - Departed, heading NNE paralleling shore to avoid wind
3:00 am - Traveled 4 miles total off direct track across lake, offshore of Sugar Lake area, turned East to attempt crossing thinking wind had reduced
3:40 am - Traveled 6 miles total off direct track across lake, aborted crossing, turned NNW into now strong wind and large waves. GPS recorded 30+ foot height deflections. Speed drops to 1-1.5 mph. Blew-out canoe lights while submerged
5:50 am - Traveled 10.5 miles total off direct track across lake. Hit by second set of big waves driven by strong NNE wind, offshore of the western entrance to Third River Flowage. Speed drops to 0 mph for several minutes in section where waves from NNW and NNE had combined intensity.
6:00 am 1241 Total for River Day 1 to nearest river mile: 106 miles along river track
6:23 am - Traveled 12.5 miles total off direct track across lake. Reached Stony Point which marks the eastern entrance into Third River Flowage. Followed E/SE along shore.
8:00 am - Turned N into Cutfoot Sioux Lake by mistake. Turned with difficulty after 20 min. GPS recorded very big waves in short section.
9:30 am 1233 Arrived Lake Winnibogoshish Dam with large following waves. Portaged river-left, clothes changed, witnessed, no GPS.
10:10 am - Departed, with Bob sleeping after ~28 hours of paddling. Witnessed, no GPS.
3:00 pm 1216.5 Arrived Leech Lake River Access, food pit, witnessed, no GPS, Bob up (had ~5 hour sleep)
3:45 pm - Departed with Clark sleeping after ~34 hours paddling from Headwaters.
6:50 pm 1203 Met Mr. Reinfield on river fishing, witnessed, no GPS, Clark up (~3 hour sleep)
10:29 pm 1187 Arrived Pokegama Dam in Grand Rapids, portaged river-left, witnessed, no GPS.
? - (Departed)
? 1184 Arrived Blandin Paper Co. Dam, Grand Rapids, portaged river-right, food pit, witnessed, no GPS
11:20 pm - Departed, Bob paddled briefly, then went to sleep
May 12th, 2003; Monday; Day 3 starts at 6 AM
6:00 am ~1153 Total traveled for River Day 2: 88 miles. No GPS data, est. from speed.
8:10 am 1144 Arrived Jacobson Campground, food pit, single point GPS data
8:28 am - Departed
9:02 am 1143.4 Passed HWY 200 Bridge near Jacobson
10:17 am 1141 Nature call on river-left, 10 min. stop
1:00 pm 1111 Brief stop at Artist’s Home, GPS track ends.
? - Departed, no GPS
? 1109 Arrived at Sandy River stop, food pit, no GPS
3:20 pm - Departed, GPS track starts
5:15 pm 1100 Passed Word’s Ferry Crossing, ferry wreck, old RR grades and pier
7:00 pm 1090 Arrived Bergland Co. Park in Palisade, food pit
7:50 pm - Departed
10:41 pm 1077.5 Passed HWY 169 Bridge, GPS track ended while moving
May 13th, 2003; Tuesday; Day 4 starts at 6 AM
2:00 am 1067.6 Entered Aiken Flood Diversion Channel, no GPS, audio recording started
5:00 am 1033 Arrived HWY 6 public access boat ramp below bridge, food pit, no GPS
5:34 am - (Departed)
6:00 am 1030.5 Total for River Day 3: 122.5 miles
7:24 1024 GPS track ends, still moving
? 1006.1 Arrived Potlatch Dam in Brainerd, portage on river-right, no GPS
? - (Departed)
12:03 pm 1003.5 Arrived Kiwanis Park on river-left, Brainerd, food pit
12:30 pm - (Departed) GPS on with audio recording
1:14 pm 999 Passed HWY 371 bridge, GPS on and audio recording
3:41 pm 985 GPS ended just before stopping, still moving
3:55 pm 984 Arrived Fort Ripley Landing, food pit, no GPS
4:16 pm - (Departed)
5:50 pm 975 Passed HWY 115 bridge
7:06 pm ~966 GPS ended, still moving
7:30 pm 967.5 Arrived Little Falls Dam, portaged on river-right, no GPS
8:13 pm 966.5 (Departed)
10:35 pm 957 Arrived Blanchard Dam, portaged on river-right, food pit
11:27 pm 956 (Departed)
May 14th, 2003; Wednesday; Day 5 starts at 6 AM
4:05 am 932 Arrived Champion Dam, portaged on river left
4:48 am - (Departed)
5:14 am 929.5 Arrived Lions Park, just upstream of Sauk Rapids, food pit
6:00 am 929.5 (417.5) Total for River Day 4: 101 miles
6:20 am - (Departed with video recording from canoe)
7:02 am 926 Arrived St. Cloud Dam, portaged on river left
7:15 am - (Departed into strong head wind)
11:46 am 898 Arrived Montissippi Co. Park, food pit
12:32 pm - (Departed into strong head wind)
6:25 pm 866 Arrived Coon Rapids Dam, portaged on river left
6:40 pm - (Departed)
7:15 pm 863 Arrived Ketter Canoeing, food pit and nap
10:46 pm - (Departed)
May 15th, 2003; Thursday; Day 6 starts at 6 AM
12:08 am 854 Arrived Upper St. Anthony Falls L&D
12:17 am - (Departed)
12:26 am 853.5 Arrived Lower St. Anthony Falls L&D
12:37 am - (Departed)
1:32 am 847.7 Arrived L&D #1 (Minneapolis, MN)
1:52 am - (Departed)
4:11 am 832.5 Arrived at boat ramp on river right below I-494 Bridge
4:46 am - (Departed with Bob sleeping)
5:15 am 828 Upstream of Upper Gray Cloud Is. CE falling asleep while paddling
6:00 am 828 (520) Total for River Day 5: 102.5 miles
8:14 am 815 Arrived L&D #2 (Hastings, MN/Prescott, WI)
8:21 am - (Departed)
11:00 am 800 Arrived Diamond Bluff Boat Ramp, food pit
11:40 am - (Departed)
12:08 pm 796.9 Arrived L&D #3 (Red Wing, MN)
12:15 pm - (Departed)
1:08 pm 790.8 Arrived Red Wing, MN, food pit
1:26 pm - (Departed)
2:28 pm ~785 Began Lake Pepin crossing
6:48 pm ~765 Ended Lake Pepin crossing
7:20 pm 760 Arrived Wabasha, MN
8:10 pm - (Departed)
9:28 pm 752.8 Arrived L&D #4 (Alma, WI)
9:56 pm - (Departed)
May 16th, 2003; Friday; Day 7 starts at 6 AM
12:24 am 738.3 Arrived L&D #5 (Fountain City, WI)
1:26 am - (Departed)
3:14 am 728.5 Arrived L&D #5A (Winona, MN)
3:17 am - (Departed)
4:12 am 723.7 Arrived Winona Boat Ramp
5:05 am - (Departed)
6:00 am ~718 (629) Total for River Day 6: 109 miles
6:45 am 714.3 Arrived L&D #6 (Trempealeau, WI)
7:15 am - (Departed)
9:13 am 702.5 Arrived L&D #7 (La Cross, WI)
10:05 am - (Departed)
10:35 am 699 Arrives at a boat ramp below L&D #7
10:42 am - (Departed)
11:31 am 688.2 Arrived Wildcat Landing, Brownsville, MN
11:39 am - (Departed)
1:51 pm 679 Arrived L&D #8 (Genoa, WI)
2:33 pm - (Departed)
7:47 pm 651 Arrived Lynxville Landing, WI
9:00 pm - (Departed)
9:36 pm 648 Arrived L&D #9 (Harper’s Ferry, IA/Lynxville, WI)
9:46 pm - (Departed)
May 17th, 2003; Saturday; Day 8 starts at 6 AM
3:46 am 615 Arrived L&D #10 (Guttenberg, IA)
3:54 am - (Departed)
4:04 am ~615 Arrived at boat ramp below L&D #10
6:00 am 615 (732) Total for River Day 7: 103 miles
9:30 am - (Departed
2:26 pm 583 Arrived L&D #11 (Dubuque, IA)
2:40 pm - (Departed)
2:44 pm 582.5 Arrived at boat ramp below L&D #11
3:36 pm - (Departed)
7:48 pm 556.5 Arrived at L&D #12 (Bellevue, IA)
8:42 pm - (Departed)
May 18th, 2003; Sunday; Day 9 starts at 6 AM
12:58 am 535.5 Arrived boat ramp in Sabula, IA
1:18 am - (Departed)
3:56 am 522.5 Arrived L&D #13 (Clinton, IA/Fulton, IL)
4:06 am - (Departed)
6:00 am 511 (836) Total for River Day 8: 104 miles
6:06 am 511 Arrived Municipal Park, Camanche, IA
6:57 am - (Departed)
9:27 am 497 Arrived LeClaire Public Boat Ramp
9:45 am - (Departed)
10:19 am 493 Arrived L&D #14 (Pleasant Valley/LeClaire, IA)
10:23 am - (Departed)
11:53 am 483 Arrived L&D #15, Arsenal Is. (Davenport, IA/Rock Island, IL), GPS track shows surfing green buoy just above lock while waiting.
12:11 pm - (Departed)
1:43 pm 473 Arrived boat ramp in Buffalo, IA
2:21 pm - (Departed)
4:53 pm 457 Arrived L&D #16 (Muscatine, IA)
5:27 pm - (Departed)
5:41 pm 455 Arrived Municipal Boat Ramp, Muscatine, IA
6:19 pm - (Departed)
9:37 pm 437 Arrived L&D #17 (New Boston, IL)
10:59 pm - (Departed)
11:43 pm 433 Arrived Public Boat Ramp in New Boston, IL
May 19th, 2003; Monday; Day 10 starts at 6 AM
12:21 am - (Departed)
? 410.5 Arrived L&D #18 (Burlington, IA/Gladstone, IL), GPS failed
4:41 am - (Departed)
5:41 am 404 Arrived Municipal Boat Ramp in Burlington, IA, S. of US34 Bridge
6:00 am 404 (943) Total for River Day 9: 107 miles
6:31 am - (Departed)
11:17 am 377 Arrived at Inspiration Point, Navoo, IL, met reporters
11:51 am - (Departed at 7.5 mph)
1:49 pm 364.5 Arrived at L&D #19 (Keokuk, IA)
2:10 pm - (Departed)
5:33 pm 343 Arrived L&D #20 (Canton, MO), passed through and stopped at Municipal Boat Ramp below L&D20
6:35 pm - (Departed)
9:25 pm 326 Arrived L&D #21 (Quincy, IL)
9:57 pm - (Departed)
11:41 pm 314 Storm hits, cable snap, brief stop on river right, CE up from nap,
11:51 pm - BB/CE begin to paddle together in storm
May 20th, 2003; Tuesday; Day 11 starts at 6 AM
~12:30 am ~305 Passed Star Fire stopped on river right during storm at Monkey Run, MO
1:45 am 301 Arrived at L&D #22 (Saverton, MO/Hannibal, MO)
1:55 am - (Departed)
2:19 am - Arrived at boat ramp below L&D #22, BB/CE slept while team repaired canoe
6:00 am 301 (1046) Total for River Day 10: 103 miles
7:31 am - (Departed)
11:01 am 273.5 Arrived L&D #24 (Clarksville, MO)
11:09 am - Arrived Clarksville Boat Club below L&D #24
11:36 am - (Departed)
3:30 pm 241.5 Canoed over top of L&D #25 Dam (Cap Au Gris/Winfield, MO)
4:00 pm - Arrived at boat ramp below L&D #25
4:30 pm - (Departed)
8:10 pm ~217 GPS failure, still moving
~9:00 pm 212.4 Passed “Lady of the River”, Portage Des Sioux, MO (No GPS)
10:35 pm 202.5 Arrived Alton Marina Boat Ramp (witness, no GPS)
11:53 pm - (Departed)
May 21st, 2003; Wednesday; Day 12 starts at 6 AM
12:13 am 201 Arrived Mel Price L&D (Alton, IL)
12:21 am - (Departed)
1:07 am 195 Passed Missouri River
1:15 am 194 Passed Warning Sign to enter Chain of Rocks section
1:45 am 190.5 Entered rapids below HWY 270 Bridge, slowed to 5.5 mph
2:37 am 183 >9 mph near HWY 270 Bridge
3:11 am 180.5 Arrived at St. Louis Arch Park, met reporters
4:11 am - (Departed)
6:00 am 167 (1180) Total for River Day 11: 134 miles
8:27 am 150 Arrived at Plattin Rock Boat Club, Crystal City, MO
8:57 am - (Departed)
12:39 pm 122.5 Arrived St. Genevieve Harbor marina Boat Ramp
1:07 pm - (Departed)
3:40 pm 105 Nature call on river right
3:50 pm - (Departed)
6:53 pm 81.5 Arrived Wittenberg Boat Club
7:48 pm - (Departed)
11:48 pm 50 Arrived Castor Boat Ramp
May 22nd, 2003; Thursday; Day 13 starts at 6 AM
12:17 am - (Departed)
6:00 am 19 (1328) Total for River Day 12: 148 miles
8:43 am 0/958.8 Arrived Fort Defiance State Park
9:51 am - (Departed)
10:47 am 939 sprinted to 12.1 mph!
12:53 pm 921.5 Arrived Bunge Grain Dock
1:17 pm - (Departed)
7:25 pm 872 Arrived Tiptonville Ferry landing on river right
7:59 pm - Departed
May 23rd, 2003; Friday; Day 14 starts at 6 AM
12:41 am 840 Arrived Booth’s Point above HWY 412 Bridge, in woods
1:03 am - (Departed)
6:00 am 806.5 (1499.3) Total of River Day 13: 171.3 miles
7:27 am 796 Arrived Ashport Landing
7:55 am - (Departed, soon had speeds up to 11.2 mph)
9:51 am 778 Note: 181 miles traveled in last 24 hours
10:51 am 768 Arrived Ed Duvall Landing, TN, note 171 miles in last 24 hours
11:09 am - (Departed)
2:53 pm 738 Arrived Mud Island Boat Ramp, Memphis, TN
3:22 pm - (Departed, soon had speeds up to 12.4 mph)
9:00 pm 693 LASER Flare observed from Mhoon Landing at 5 miles
9:38 pm 688 Arrived Mhoon Landing in Tunica, MS
10:20 pm - (Departed)
May 24th, 2003; Saturday; Day 15 starts at 6 AM
2:58 am 653 Arrived at Friars Point Landing, MS
3:32 am - (Departed, note mile 645-640 flooded at “Old Town Bend”)
6:00 am 636 (1669.8) Total for River Day 14: 170.5 miles
7:55 am 619 Note 177 miles in last 24 hours
8:58 am 609.5 Arrived Dennis landing
9:20 am - (Departed, soon with speeds up to 12.4 mph)
2:34 pm 562 Arrived Uncle Joe’s Landing
3:32 pm - (Departed)
7:02 pm 531.3 Arrived Greenville Bridge
7:28 pm - (Departed)
9:06 pm 519 Paused at Kentucky Bend, very fast water along Cracraft Chute
9:50 pm 514 Paused again, CE now up from nap to paddle with BB
11:20 pm 502 Passed Opossum Point Light (going 5 mph when thought stopped)
11:54 pm 407 Arrived Miller landing Grain Elevator
May 25th, 2003; Sunday; Day 16 starts at 6 AM
12:33 am - (Departed)
3:47 am 473 Hit/stalled on floating tree
4:27 am - Observed dodging floating logs
5:05 am 467 Tied canoe to trees on flooded band and slept
6:00 am 467 (1838.8) Total for River Day 15: 169 miles
6:11 am - (Departed, still dodging floating logs)
10:00 am 436.5 Arrived Vicksburg, Isle of Capri Casino dock
10:40 am - (Departed)
12:31 pm 424 Paused for storm at Diamond Light on river right
12:36 pm - (Departed)
3:17 pm 405 Arrived Grand Gulf Boat Ramp
4:00 pm - (Departed)
9:39 pm 363 Arrived Natchez, MS
9:57 pm - (Departed)
May 26th, 2003; Monday; Day 17 starts at 6 AM
5:40 am 314 Arrived Knox Landing, Hydroelectric Plant
6:00 am 314 (1991.8) Total for River Day 16: 153 miles
6:13 am - (Departed)
8:04 am 300.5 Arrived Angola Ferry landing
8:20 am - (Departed)
1:13 pm 266 Arrived St. Francisville/New Roads Ferry landing
1:40 pm - (Departed, at Mile 259, CE took Fancy Point Chute while BB slept)
3:32 pm 252 Passed entrance to Profit Is. Chute (CD/KZ took it in 2001)
6:30 pm 229 Arrived Baton Rouge, Argosy Casino, with CG escort
6:52 pm - (Departed)
11:02 pm 204 GPS failed while moving
May 27th, 2003; Tuesday; Day 18 starts at 6 AM
? 191.5 Arrived White Castle Landing (no GPS, had witness forms)
1:51 am 191.5 (Departed)
4:15 am 175.5 Arrived Donaldsonville
4:33 am - (Departed)
5:51 am 167.5 Passed sunken Le Pelican in fog at HWY 70 Bridge
6:00 am 166 (2139.8) Total for River Day 17: 148 miles
12:35 pm 127 Arrived Norco Boat Ramp, met families/press
1:43 pm - (Departed)
5:20 pm 104 Passed New Orleans Water Intake on river left
6:41 pm 95 Arrived Algier’s Point, Canal St. Ferry Landing, met families/press
7:25 pm - (Departed)
8:21 pm 88 Passed Algier’s Canal, dodged ships
10:23 pm 76 Arrived Belle Chasse Ferry Landing
10:47 pm - (Departed)
May 28th, 2003; Wednesday; Day 19 starts at 6 AM
1:03 am 63 Dodged traffic at Alliance Refinery, N. of Poverty Point
2:49 am 49 Arrived Pointe a LaHache Ferry Landing
3:11 am - (Departed)
6:00 am 28 (2277.8) Total for River Mile Day 18: 138 miles
7:59 am 20 Arrived Fort Jackson Park
8:07 am - (Departed)
9:27 am 10.5 Passed Venice and “The Jump”
10:30 am 2 Passed Pilot Town
10:51 am 0 (2305.8) Reached Mile 0 Marker (going 8.4 mph)
Elapsed Time: 18 Days, 4 hours, 51 minutes (436.85 hours; 18.202 Days)
River Miles per Day
Day 1: 106
Day 2: 88
Day 3: 122.5
Day 4: 101
Day 5: 102.5
Day 6: 109
Day 7: 103
Day 8: 104
Day 9: 107
Day 10: 103
Day 11: 134
Day 12: 148
Day 13: 171.3
Day 14: 170.5
Day 15: 169
Day 16: 153
Day 17: 148
Day 18: 138
Day 19: 28
Total River Chart Miles: 2305.8 (1347 + 958.8)
Overall Speed: 5.28 mph
Average River Miles per Day: 126.68 miles
Total Stopped Time: 3026 minutes or 50.43 Hours or 2.10 Days
Total Time on River: 386.42 Hours (436.85 – 50.43) or 16.10 Days
Average Speed While on River: 5.97 mph
In Route Obstacles
Tree trunk/bridge at Headwaters: portaged it
Culvert under County Rd. 38: ran through it
Vicker’s Dam: portaged it
Culvert under Hwy 40: ran through it
6 beaver dams: portaged each
4 Deadfalls in Silver Oaks area: portaged each
Ottertail Power Co. Dam: portaged on river right
Knutson Dam: Portaged river right
Winnibigoshish Lake Dam: portaged on river left
Pokegamon Dam: portaged on river right
Blandin Paper Co. Dam: portaged river right
Aiken Flood Diversion Channel: portaged/lined canoe on river right
Potlatch Dam: portaged on river right
Sauk Rapids: ran it
St. Cloud Dam: portaged on river left
Coon Rapids Dam: portaged on river left
Upper St. Anthony L&D (Minneapolis, MN): locked through it
Lower St. Anthony L&D (Minneapolis, MN): locked through it
L&D #1 (Minneapolis, MN): locked through it
L&D #2 (Hastings, MN/Prescott, WI): locked through it
L&D #3 (Red Wing, MN): locked through it
L&D #4 (Alma, WI): locked through it
L&D #5 (Fountain City, WI): locked through it
L&D #5A (Winona, MN): locked through it
L&D #6 (Trempealeau, WI): locked through it
L&D #7 (La Crosse, WI): portaged river right
L&D #8 (Genoa, WI): locked through it
L&D #9 (Harpers Ferry, IA/Lynxville, WI): locked through it
L&D #10 (Guttenberg, IA): locked through it
L&D #11 (Dubuque, IA): locked through it
L&D #12 (Bellevue, IA): locked through it
L&D #13 (Clinton, IA/Fulton, IL): locked through it
L&D #14 (Pleasant Valley/Le Claire, IA): locked through it
L&D #15 (Davenport, IA/Rock Island, IL): locked through it
L&D #16 (Muscatine, IA): portaged river left
L&D #17 (New Boston, IL): locked through it
L&D #18 (Burlington, IA/Gladstone, IL): locked through it
L&D #19 (Keokuk, IA): portaged river right
L&D #20 (Canton, MO): locked through it
L&D #21 (Quincy, IL): locked through it
L&D #22 (Saverton, MO/Hannibal, MO): locked through it
---Note that there is no L&D #23---
L&D #24 (Clarksville, MO): locked through it
L&D #25 (Cap Au Gris/Winfield, MO): canoed over top of dam
Mel Price L&D (Alton, IL): locked through it
Chain of Rocks Canal and L&D #26 (Granite City, IL): bypassed
Chain of Rocks rapids: ran it
***Assembled by Clark Eid in February of 2019.
This chronology is based on notes, GPS data, charts that were current at that time and witness signed forms, to the best of our recollection at this time. We assembled this from our notes/logs to help others who may attempt to paddle the entire Mississippi River.
Please note river miles can change over the course of years because the river changes. Although the Mississippi River originally separated states, today, sometimes the same state is on both sides of the river. All attempts are unique because the river changes course over time... for example, the initial bogs in northern MN may change/open up because of the bogs and beaver dams and water height for example.. ... locks and dams may close or open .... sand bars shift.... flooding and weather can change everything.... dangers/weather patterns can shift significantly in favor or against paddlers... The river charts we used at the beginning of our journey were published in 1990.... the ones you use today may have minor differences.
Because we started at 6 AM, each 24 hour day starts the following day at 6 AM.
May 10th, 2003; Saturday; Day 1
Time River Mile Comments
6:00 am 1347 Start from Headwaters
6:26 am 1345 Passed HWY 200 Bridge
7:30 am 1339 Vicker’s Dam, portaged river-left
10:05 am 1335.5 Passed Co. Rd. 2 Bridge
? 1333.2 Arrived HWY 40 Bridge, food pit (no GPS)
? - (Departed)
9:15 am 1330.5 Passed Coffee Pot Landing, food hung from bridge (Witness, no GPS)
? 1330.5 Arrived Co. Rd. 5 River Level Gauge, food pit (no GPS)
11:15 am - (Departed)
2:00 pm 1298.7 Passed Iron Bridge
3:45 pm 1289 (GPS end of track, still moving)
4:50 pm 1284.5 Arrived Lake Bemidji Park, food pit, camera mounted
5:10 pm - (Departed)
6:15 pm 1279 Met family on river-left before Stump Lake, got cookies, stopped 2 min.
6:55 pm 1276 Arrived Ottertail Power Co. Dam, portaged river-right
7:00 pm - (Departed)
7:10 pm 1275 Ran aground in shallow water
8:34 pm 1267.5 Arrived Co. Rd. 8 Bridge, stopped 2 min., food pit
8:55 pm 1265.5 Passed Co. Rd. 33 Bridge
9:00 pm 1265 Start of Cross Lake, paused to put on gear
10:40 pm 1257 End of Cross Lake, arrived Knutson Dam on river-left, moved to river-right to portage
11:15 pm - (Departed)
May 11th, 2003; Sunday; Day 2 starts at 6 AM
12:34 am 1251 Took wrong turn into channel leading South into Lydick Brook
12:54 am - (Corrected mistake, back on track)
1:58 am 1247 Arrived at Reese Landing, food pit and clothes changed
2:22 am - Departed, heading NNE paralleling shore to avoid wind
3:00 am - Traveled 4 miles total off direct track across lake, offshore of Sugar Lake area, turned East to attempt crossing thinking wind had reduced
3:40 am - Traveled 6 miles total off direct track across lake, aborted crossing, turned NNW into now strong wind and large waves. GPS recorded 30+ foot height deflections. Speed drops to 1-1.5 mph. Blew-out canoe lights while submerged
5:50 am - Traveled 10.5 miles total off direct track across lake. Hit by second set of big waves driven by strong NNE wind, offshore of the western entrance to Third River Flowage. Speed drops to 0 mph for several minutes in section where waves from NNW and NNE had combined intensity.
6:00 am 1241 Total for River Day 1 to nearest river mile: 106 miles along river track
6:23 am - Traveled 12.5 miles total off direct track across lake. Reached Stony Point which marks the eastern entrance into Third River Flowage. Followed E/SE along shore.
8:00 am - Turned N into Cutfoot Sioux Lake by mistake. Turned with difficulty after 20 min. GPS recorded very big waves in short section.
9:30 am 1233 Arrived Lake Winnibogoshish Dam with large following waves. Portaged river-left, clothes changed, witnessed, no GPS.
10:10 am - Departed, with Bob sleeping after ~28 hours of paddling. Witnessed, no GPS.
3:00 pm 1216.5 Arrived Leech Lake River Access, food pit, witnessed, no GPS, Bob up (had ~5 hour sleep)
3:45 pm - Departed with Clark sleeping after ~34 hours paddling from Headwaters.
6:50 pm 1203 Met Mr. Reinfield on river fishing, witnessed, no GPS, Clark up (~3 hour sleep)
10:29 pm 1187 Arrived Pokegama Dam in Grand Rapids, portaged river-left, witnessed, no GPS.
? - (Departed)
? 1184 Arrived Blandin Paper Co. Dam, Grand Rapids, portaged river-right, food pit, witnessed, no GPS
11:20 pm - Departed, Bob paddled briefly, then went to sleep
May 12th, 2003; Monday; Day 3 starts at 6 AM
6:00 am ~1153 Total traveled for River Day 2: 88 miles. No GPS data, est. from speed.
8:10 am 1144 Arrived Jacobson Campground, food pit, single point GPS data
8:28 am - Departed
9:02 am 1143.4 Passed HWY 200 Bridge near Jacobson
10:17 am 1141 Nature call on river-left, 10 min. stop
1:00 pm 1111 Brief stop at Artist’s Home, GPS track ends.
? - Departed, no GPS
? 1109 Arrived at Sandy River stop, food pit, no GPS
3:20 pm - Departed, GPS track starts
5:15 pm 1100 Passed Word’s Ferry Crossing, ferry wreck, old RR grades and pier
7:00 pm 1090 Arrived Bergland Co. Park in Palisade, food pit
7:50 pm - Departed
10:41 pm 1077.5 Passed HWY 169 Bridge, GPS track ended while moving
May 13th, 2003; Tuesday; Day 4 starts at 6 AM
2:00 am 1067.6 Entered Aiken Flood Diversion Channel, no GPS, audio recording started
5:00 am 1033 Arrived HWY 6 public access boat ramp below bridge, food pit, no GPS
5:34 am - (Departed)
6:00 am 1030.5 Total for River Day 3: 122.5 miles
7:24 1024 GPS track ends, still moving
? 1006.1 Arrived Potlatch Dam in Brainerd, portage on river-right, no GPS
? - (Departed)
12:03 pm 1003.5 Arrived Kiwanis Park on river-left, Brainerd, food pit
12:30 pm - (Departed) GPS on with audio recording
1:14 pm 999 Passed HWY 371 bridge, GPS on and audio recording
3:41 pm 985 GPS ended just before stopping, still moving
3:55 pm 984 Arrived Fort Ripley Landing, food pit, no GPS
4:16 pm - (Departed)
5:50 pm 975 Passed HWY 115 bridge
7:06 pm ~966 GPS ended, still moving
7:30 pm 967.5 Arrived Little Falls Dam, portaged on river-right, no GPS
8:13 pm 966.5 (Departed)
10:35 pm 957 Arrived Blanchard Dam, portaged on river-right, food pit
11:27 pm 956 (Departed)
May 14th, 2003; Wednesday; Day 5 starts at 6 AM
4:05 am 932 Arrived Champion Dam, portaged on river left
4:48 am - (Departed)
5:14 am 929.5 Arrived Lions Park, just upstream of Sauk Rapids, food pit
6:00 am 929.5 (417.5) Total for River Day 4: 101 miles
6:20 am - (Departed with video recording from canoe)
7:02 am 926 Arrived St. Cloud Dam, portaged on river left
7:15 am - (Departed into strong head wind)
11:46 am 898 Arrived Montissippi Co. Park, food pit
12:32 pm - (Departed into strong head wind)
6:25 pm 866 Arrived Coon Rapids Dam, portaged on river left
6:40 pm - (Departed)
7:15 pm 863 Arrived Ketter Canoeing, food pit and nap
10:46 pm - (Departed)
May 15th, 2003; Thursday; Day 6 starts at 6 AM
12:08 am 854 Arrived Upper St. Anthony Falls L&D
12:17 am - (Departed)
12:26 am 853.5 Arrived Lower St. Anthony Falls L&D
12:37 am - (Departed)
1:32 am 847.7 Arrived L&D #1 (Minneapolis, MN)
1:52 am - (Departed)
4:11 am 832.5 Arrived at boat ramp on river right below I-494 Bridge
4:46 am - (Departed with Bob sleeping)
5:15 am 828 Upstream of Upper Gray Cloud Is. CE falling asleep while paddling
6:00 am 828 (520) Total for River Day 5: 102.5 miles
8:14 am 815 Arrived L&D #2 (Hastings, MN/Prescott, WI)
8:21 am - (Departed)
11:00 am 800 Arrived Diamond Bluff Boat Ramp, food pit
11:40 am - (Departed)
12:08 pm 796.9 Arrived L&D #3 (Red Wing, MN)
12:15 pm - (Departed)
1:08 pm 790.8 Arrived Red Wing, MN, food pit
1:26 pm - (Departed)
2:28 pm ~785 Began Lake Pepin crossing
6:48 pm ~765 Ended Lake Pepin crossing
7:20 pm 760 Arrived Wabasha, MN
8:10 pm - (Departed)
9:28 pm 752.8 Arrived L&D #4 (Alma, WI)
9:56 pm - (Departed)
May 16th, 2003; Friday; Day 7 starts at 6 AM
12:24 am 738.3 Arrived L&D #5 (Fountain City, WI)
1:26 am - (Departed)
3:14 am 728.5 Arrived L&D #5A (Winona, MN)
3:17 am - (Departed)
4:12 am 723.7 Arrived Winona Boat Ramp
5:05 am - (Departed)
6:00 am ~718 (629) Total for River Day 6: 109 miles
6:45 am 714.3 Arrived L&D #6 (Trempealeau, WI)
7:15 am - (Departed)
9:13 am 702.5 Arrived L&D #7 (La Cross, WI)
10:05 am - (Departed)
10:35 am 699 Arrives at a boat ramp below L&D #7
10:42 am - (Departed)
11:31 am 688.2 Arrived Wildcat Landing, Brownsville, MN
11:39 am - (Departed)
1:51 pm 679 Arrived L&D #8 (Genoa, WI)
2:33 pm - (Departed)
7:47 pm 651 Arrived Lynxville Landing, WI
9:00 pm - (Departed)
9:36 pm 648 Arrived L&D #9 (Harper’s Ferry, IA/Lynxville, WI)
9:46 pm - (Departed)
May 17th, 2003; Saturday; Day 8 starts at 6 AM
3:46 am 615 Arrived L&D #10 (Guttenberg, IA)
3:54 am - (Departed)
4:04 am ~615 Arrived at boat ramp below L&D #10
6:00 am 615 (732) Total for River Day 7: 103 miles
9:30 am - (Departed
2:26 pm 583 Arrived L&D #11 (Dubuque, IA)
2:40 pm - (Departed)
2:44 pm 582.5 Arrived at boat ramp below L&D #11
3:36 pm - (Departed)
7:48 pm 556.5 Arrived at L&D #12 (Bellevue, IA)
8:42 pm - (Departed)
May 18th, 2003; Sunday; Day 9 starts at 6 AM
12:58 am 535.5 Arrived boat ramp in Sabula, IA
1:18 am - (Departed)
3:56 am 522.5 Arrived L&D #13 (Clinton, IA/Fulton, IL)
4:06 am - (Departed)
6:00 am 511 (836) Total for River Day 8: 104 miles
6:06 am 511 Arrived Municipal Park, Camanche, IA
6:57 am - (Departed)
9:27 am 497 Arrived LeClaire Public Boat Ramp
9:45 am - (Departed)
10:19 am 493 Arrived L&D #14 (Pleasant Valley/LeClaire, IA)
10:23 am - (Departed)
11:53 am 483 Arrived L&D #15, Arsenal Is. (Davenport, IA/Rock Island, IL), GPS track shows surfing green buoy just above lock while waiting.
12:11 pm - (Departed)
1:43 pm 473 Arrived boat ramp in Buffalo, IA
2:21 pm - (Departed)
4:53 pm 457 Arrived L&D #16 (Muscatine, IA)
5:27 pm - (Departed)
5:41 pm 455 Arrived Municipal Boat Ramp, Muscatine, IA
6:19 pm - (Departed)
9:37 pm 437 Arrived L&D #17 (New Boston, IL)
10:59 pm - (Departed)
11:43 pm 433 Arrived Public Boat Ramp in New Boston, IL
May 19th, 2003; Monday; Day 10 starts at 6 AM
12:21 am - (Departed)
? 410.5 Arrived L&D #18 (Burlington, IA/Gladstone, IL), GPS failed
4:41 am - (Departed)
5:41 am 404 Arrived Municipal Boat Ramp in Burlington, IA, S. of US34 Bridge
6:00 am 404 (943) Total for River Day 9: 107 miles
6:31 am - (Departed)
11:17 am 377 Arrived at Inspiration Point, Navoo, IL, met reporters
11:51 am - (Departed at 7.5 mph)
1:49 pm 364.5 Arrived at L&D #19 (Keokuk, IA)
2:10 pm - (Departed)
5:33 pm 343 Arrived L&D #20 (Canton, MO), passed through and stopped at Municipal Boat Ramp below L&D20
6:35 pm - (Departed)
9:25 pm 326 Arrived L&D #21 (Quincy, IL)
9:57 pm - (Departed)
11:41 pm 314 Storm hits, cable snap, brief stop on river right, CE up from nap,
11:51 pm - BB/CE begin to paddle together in storm
May 20th, 2003; Tuesday; Day 11 starts at 6 AM
~12:30 am ~305 Passed Star Fire stopped on river right during storm at Monkey Run, MO
1:45 am 301 Arrived at L&D #22 (Saverton, MO/Hannibal, MO)
1:55 am - (Departed)
2:19 am - Arrived at boat ramp below L&D #22, BB/CE slept while team repaired canoe
6:00 am 301 (1046) Total for River Day 10: 103 miles
7:31 am - (Departed)
11:01 am 273.5 Arrived L&D #24 (Clarksville, MO)
11:09 am - Arrived Clarksville Boat Club below L&D #24
11:36 am - (Departed)
3:30 pm 241.5 Canoed over top of L&D #25 Dam (Cap Au Gris/Winfield, MO)
4:00 pm - Arrived at boat ramp below L&D #25
4:30 pm - (Departed)
8:10 pm ~217 GPS failure, still moving
~9:00 pm 212.4 Passed “Lady of the River”, Portage Des Sioux, MO (No GPS)
10:35 pm 202.5 Arrived Alton Marina Boat Ramp (witness, no GPS)
11:53 pm - (Departed)
May 21st, 2003; Wednesday; Day 12 starts at 6 AM
12:13 am 201 Arrived Mel Price L&D (Alton, IL)
12:21 am - (Departed)
1:07 am 195 Passed Missouri River
1:15 am 194 Passed Warning Sign to enter Chain of Rocks section
1:45 am 190.5 Entered rapids below HWY 270 Bridge, slowed to 5.5 mph
2:37 am 183 >9 mph near HWY 270 Bridge
3:11 am 180.5 Arrived at St. Louis Arch Park, met reporters
4:11 am - (Departed)
6:00 am 167 (1180) Total for River Day 11: 134 miles
8:27 am 150 Arrived at Plattin Rock Boat Club, Crystal City, MO
8:57 am - (Departed)
12:39 pm 122.5 Arrived St. Genevieve Harbor marina Boat Ramp
1:07 pm - (Departed)
3:40 pm 105 Nature call on river right
3:50 pm - (Departed)
6:53 pm 81.5 Arrived Wittenberg Boat Club
7:48 pm - (Departed)
11:48 pm 50 Arrived Castor Boat Ramp
May 22nd, 2003; Thursday; Day 13 starts at 6 AM
12:17 am - (Departed)
6:00 am 19 (1328) Total for River Day 12: 148 miles
8:43 am 0/958.8 Arrived Fort Defiance State Park
9:51 am - (Departed)
10:47 am 939 sprinted to 12.1 mph!
12:53 pm 921.5 Arrived Bunge Grain Dock
1:17 pm - (Departed)
7:25 pm 872 Arrived Tiptonville Ferry landing on river right
7:59 pm - Departed
May 23rd, 2003; Friday; Day 14 starts at 6 AM
12:41 am 840 Arrived Booth’s Point above HWY 412 Bridge, in woods
1:03 am - (Departed)
6:00 am 806.5 (1499.3) Total of River Day 13: 171.3 miles
7:27 am 796 Arrived Ashport Landing
7:55 am - (Departed, soon had speeds up to 11.2 mph)
9:51 am 778 Note: 181 miles traveled in last 24 hours
10:51 am 768 Arrived Ed Duvall Landing, TN, note 171 miles in last 24 hours
11:09 am - (Departed)
2:53 pm 738 Arrived Mud Island Boat Ramp, Memphis, TN
3:22 pm - (Departed, soon had speeds up to 12.4 mph)
9:00 pm 693 LASER Flare observed from Mhoon Landing at 5 miles
9:38 pm 688 Arrived Mhoon Landing in Tunica, MS
10:20 pm - (Departed)
May 24th, 2003; Saturday; Day 15 starts at 6 AM
2:58 am 653 Arrived at Friars Point Landing, MS
3:32 am - (Departed, note mile 645-640 flooded at “Old Town Bend”)
6:00 am 636 (1669.8) Total for River Day 14: 170.5 miles
7:55 am 619 Note 177 miles in last 24 hours
8:58 am 609.5 Arrived Dennis landing
9:20 am - (Departed, soon with speeds up to 12.4 mph)
2:34 pm 562 Arrived Uncle Joe’s Landing
3:32 pm - (Departed)
7:02 pm 531.3 Arrived Greenville Bridge
7:28 pm - (Departed)
9:06 pm 519 Paused at Kentucky Bend, very fast water along Cracraft Chute
9:50 pm 514 Paused again, CE now up from nap to paddle with BB
11:20 pm 502 Passed Opossum Point Light (going 5 mph when thought stopped)
11:54 pm 407 Arrived Miller landing Grain Elevator
May 25th, 2003; Sunday; Day 16 starts at 6 AM
12:33 am - (Departed)
3:47 am 473 Hit/stalled on floating tree
4:27 am - Observed dodging floating logs
5:05 am 467 Tied canoe to trees on flooded band and slept
6:00 am 467 (1838.8) Total for River Day 15: 169 miles
6:11 am - (Departed, still dodging floating logs)
10:00 am 436.5 Arrived Vicksburg, Isle of Capri Casino dock
10:40 am - (Departed)
12:31 pm 424 Paused for storm at Diamond Light on river right
12:36 pm - (Departed)
3:17 pm 405 Arrived Grand Gulf Boat Ramp
4:00 pm - (Departed)
9:39 pm 363 Arrived Natchez, MS
9:57 pm - (Departed)
May 26th, 2003; Monday; Day 17 starts at 6 AM
5:40 am 314 Arrived Knox Landing, Hydroelectric Plant
6:00 am 314 (1991.8) Total for River Day 16: 153 miles
6:13 am - (Departed)
8:04 am 300.5 Arrived Angola Ferry landing
8:20 am - (Departed)
1:13 pm 266 Arrived St. Francisville/New Roads Ferry landing
1:40 pm - (Departed, at Mile 259, CE took Fancy Point Chute while BB slept)
3:32 pm 252 Passed entrance to Profit Is. Chute (CD/KZ took it in 2001)
6:30 pm 229 Arrived Baton Rouge, Argosy Casino, with CG escort
6:52 pm - (Departed)
11:02 pm 204 GPS failed while moving
May 27th, 2003; Tuesday; Day 18 starts at 6 AM
? 191.5 Arrived White Castle Landing (no GPS, had witness forms)
1:51 am 191.5 (Departed)
4:15 am 175.5 Arrived Donaldsonville
4:33 am - (Departed)
5:51 am 167.5 Passed sunken Le Pelican in fog at HWY 70 Bridge
6:00 am 166 (2139.8) Total for River Day 17: 148 miles
12:35 pm 127 Arrived Norco Boat Ramp, met families/press
1:43 pm - (Departed)
5:20 pm 104 Passed New Orleans Water Intake on river left
6:41 pm 95 Arrived Algier’s Point, Canal St. Ferry Landing, met families/press
7:25 pm - (Departed)
8:21 pm 88 Passed Algier’s Canal, dodged ships
10:23 pm 76 Arrived Belle Chasse Ferry Landing
10:47 pm - (Departed)
May 28th, 2003; Wednesday; Day 19 starts at 6 AM
1:03 am 63 Dodged traffic at Alliance Refinery, N. of Poverty Point
2:49 am 49 Arrived Pointe a LaHache Ferry Landing
3:11 am - (Departed)
6:00 am 28 (2277.8) Total for River Mile Day 18: 138 miles
7:59 am 20 Arrived Fort Jackson Park
8:07 am - (Departed)
9:27 am 10.5 Passed Venice and “The Jump”
10:30 am 2 Passed Pilot Town
10:51 am 0 (2305.8) Reached Mile 0 Marker (going 8.4 mph)
Elapsed Time: 18 Days, 4 hours, 51 minutes (436.85 hours; 18.202 Days)
River Miles per Day
Day 1: 106
Day 2: 88
Day 3: 122.5
Day 4: 101
Day 5: 102.5
Day 6: 109
Day 7: 103
Day 8: 104
Day 9: 107
Day 10: 103
Day 11: 134
Day 12: 148
Day 13: 171.3
Day 14: 170.5
Day 15: 169
Day 16: 153
Day 17: 148
Day 18: 138
Day 19: 28
Total River Chart Miles: 2305.8 (1347 + 958.8)
Overall Speed: 5.28 mph
Average River Miles per Day: 126.68 miles
Total Stopped Time: 3026 minutes or 50.43 Hours or 2.10 Days
Total Time on River: 386.42 Hours (436.85 – 50.43) or 16.10 Days
Average Speed While on River: 5.97 mph
In Route Obstacles
Tree trunk/bridge at Headwaters: portaged it
Culvert under County Rd. 38: ran through it
Vicker’s Dam: portaged it
Culvert under Hwy 40: ran through it
6 beaver dams: portaged each
4 Deadfalls in Silver Oaks area: portaged each
Ottertail Power Co. Dam: portaged on river right
Knutson Dam: Portaged river right
Winnibigoshish Lake Dam: portaged on river left
Pokegamon Dam: portaged on river right
Blandin Paper Co. Dam: portaged river right
Aiken Flood Diversion Channel: portaged/lined canoe on river right
Potlatch Dam: portaged on river right
Sauk Rapids: ran it
St. Cloud Dam: portaged on river left
Coon Rapids Dam: portaged on river left
Upper St. Anthony L&D (Minneapolis, MN): locked through it
Lower St. Anthony L&D (Minneapolis, MN): locked through it
L&D #1 (Minneapolis, MN): locked through it
L&D #2 (Hastings, MN/Prescott, WI): locked through it
L&D #3 (Red Wing, MN): locked through it
L&D #4 (Alma, WI): locked through it
L&D #5 (Fountain City, WI): locked through it
L&D #5A (Winona, MN): locked through it
L&D #6 (Trempealeau, WI): locked through it
L&D #7 (La Crosse, WI): portaged river right
L&D #8 (Genoa, WI): locked through it
L&D #9 (Harpers Ferry, IA/Lynxville, WI): locked through it
L&D #10 (Guttenberg, IA): locked through it
L&D #11 (Dubuque, IA): locked through it
L&D #12 (Bellevue, IA): locked through it
L&D #13 (Clinton, IA/Fulton, IL): locked through it
L&D #14 (Pleasant Valley/Le Claire, IA): locked through it
L&D #15 (Davenport, IA/Rock Island, IL): locked through it
L&D #16 (Muscatine, IA): portaged river left
L&D #17 (New Boston, IL): locked through it
L&D #18 (Burlington, IA/Gladstone, IL): locked through it
L&D #19 (Keokuk, IA): portaged river right
L&D #20 (Canton, MO): locked through it
L&D #21 (Quincy, IL): locked through it
L&D #22 (Saverton, MO/Hannibal, MO): locked through it
---Note that there is no L&D #23---
L&D #24 (Clarksville, MO): locked through it
L&D #25 (Cap Au Gris/Winfield, MO): canoed over top of dam
Mel Price L&D (Alton, IL): locked through it
Chain of Rocks Canal and L&D #26 (Granite City, IL): bypassed
Chain of Rocks rapids: ran it