The Northland Adventurer
  • Northland Adventurer
    • Rum River 2017
    • Rum River 2019
    • Cannon River
    • Superior Bay
    • Upper St. Croix
    • Headwaters of the Mississippi
    • Namekagon River
    • Kalamazoo River
    • Taylors Falls - Lower St. Croix
    • Lake Pepin & Lake City
    • Lake Hamlin
    • St. Paul, MN & Raspberry Island
    • Tall Ships Duluth Festival
    • Stillwater, MN
    • Great Lakes Lighthouses
    • Bridges of Stillwater
    • Wisconsin Central Bridge Ruins
    • Soo Line High Bridge
    • Vertical Lift Bridges
    • Trains
    • Railroad Bridges
    • Tugs and Barges
    • Locks and Dams
    • Business and Industry
    • The Joy of the Journey
    • Overhanging Branches
    • Best of All It's Fall
    • Get Off the River!
    • Our Prized Grand River
    • Crossing Lake Huron
    • Straits of Mackinac
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 2016
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 2020
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 6.10.21
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 6.27.21
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 7.13.21
    • Crossing Lake Superior >
      • Helpful Hints
      • Packing for Great Lakes Crossings
    • SEVENTY48
    • Campus to Coast
    • Paddling the Pere Marquette
    • Avid Kayaker Brushes Death >
      • The Whole Story
    • A Narrow Escape 2019
    • Reflections
    • More about Mike
  • Contact
The Cannon River  
From Faribault to Red Wing.


This narrow winding river provides a bit of everything; lovely scenery, wildlife, historic remnants, class III rapids, downed trees, portages, misdirection, and 20 mph headwinds just for fun.

Highlights of the first day include pulling my 17’ kayak through the streets of Northfield in search of an old tavern bar for a midday pause. Then I’m met with Class III rapids that challenge my skill and nerves, with hidden snags, which want to pull me under.

When leaving Lake Byllesby near the halfway point I must portage around the dam. If it weren’t for the help of the two other paddlers (canoeists) I had just met, the steep 60 foot decent would not have been possible.

The evening brings sub-freezing temperatures, a reminder of a winter too long. During the night it is a challenge to keep warm in my well vented summer tent.

A peaceful morning glide down the river allows me to sneak up on eagles perched above, see deer playing along river’s edge, and watch geese run atop the water before they catch wind and take flight.
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Near the end of my journey I am greeted with an expansive floodplain and three more miles before reaching the Mississippi River. Because the water is so high it is impossible to tell where the river is, or was. I zig zag my way across searching for any clue. I wonder, is there a break in the trees just ahead?

Deep in the woods ahead of me I see a fisherman, two, and then three. Plowing off course through heavy trees and debris I pass through lakes Little Goose, Spring, and Cannon as I make my way and finish my 62.5 mile journey in Red Wing, MN.
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THE NORTHLAND ADVENTURER

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Let me take you on my journey. 
Click on the links below (underlined) of those topics which interest you most. ​
Paddling our Major Tributaries
•  Rum River 2017
•  Rum River 2019
•  Cannon River
•  Superior Bay 

•  Upper St. Croix
•  Headwaters of the Mississippi
•  Namekagon River
•  Kalamazoo River

​
Top Stops and Events
•  Lower St. Croix - Taylors Falls, MN
•  ​Lake Pepin and Lake City, MN

•  Lake Hamlin, MI
•  St. Paul, MN and Raspberry Island
•  ​Stillwater, MN
•  Tall Ships Duluth Festival
Objects of Interest
•  Great Lakes Lighthouses
•  Bridges of Stillwater

•  Wisconsin Central Bridge Ruins
•  Soo Line High Bridge
•  Vertical Lift Bridges
•  Trains
​•  Railroad Bridges
​•  Tugs and Barges

​•  Locks and Dams
​•  Business and Industry
Subjects of Interest
•  The Joy of the Journey
•  Overhanging Branches
•  Best of All It's Fall
•  Get Off the River!

•  Michigan's Prized Grand River
​
Grand Adventures
•  Crossing Lake Huron
•  ​Straits of Mackinac 
•  Crossing Lake Michigan #1 - 2016

•  Crossing Lake Michigan #2 - 7.24.20
•  Crossing Lake Michigan #3 - 6.11.21

•  Crossing Lake Michigan #4 - 6.27.21
•  Crossing Lake Michigan #5 - 7.13.21
•  Crossing Lake Superior - 2017
•  SEVENTY48 
•  Campus to Coast -  A 150 Mile Race 

•  Paddling the Pere Marquette
Newsworthy
•  ABC NEWS: Avid  Kayaker Brushes Death
•  The Whole Story


Easter 2019
•  A Narrow Escape

​Reflections
•  A Wonderful Journey

​About
•  More about Mike Stout
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For helpful hints to plan your Great Lakes crossing, click here.

 msplmn02@gmail.com  ​|  (952) 239-3943  ​|  Eagan, MN 55123
Copyright © 2016
  • Northland Adventurer
    • Rum River 2017
    • Rum River 2019
    • Cannon River
    • Superior Bay
    • Upper St. Croix
    • Headwaters of the Mississippi
    • Namekagon River
    • Kalamazoo River
    • Taylors Falls - Lower St. Croix
    • Lake Pepin & Lake City
    • Lake Hamlin
    • St. Paul, MN & Raspberry Island
    • Tall Ships Duluth Festival
    • Stillwater, MN
    • Great Lakes Lighthouses
    • Bridges of Stillwater
    • Wisconsin Central Bridge Ruins
    • Soo Line High Bridge
    • Vertical Lift Bridges
    • Trains
    • Railroad Bridges
    • Tugs and Barges
    • Locks and Dams
    • Business and Industry
    • The Joy of the Journey
    • Overhanging Branches
    • Best of All It's Fall
    • Get Off the River!
    • Our Prized Grand River
    • Crossing Lake Huron
    • Straits of Mackinac
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 2016
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 2020
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 6.10.21
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 6.27.21
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 7.13.21
    • Crossing Lake Superior >
      • Helpful Hints
      • Packing for Great Lakes Crossings
    • SEVENTY48
    • Campus to Coast
    • Paddling the Pere Marquette
    • Avid Kayaker Brushes Death >
      • The Whole Story
    • A Narrow Escape 2019
    • Reflections
    • More about Mike
  • Contact