After waking to a still and quiet morning deep in the French River backcountry, I set out determined to find a new way out of the lake—anything but returning through the brutal creek I’d fought my way up. After some searching, I discovered an unmarked portage that led me back toward the French River itself. From there, I paddled to the final carry of the trip and officially closed an unexpected 18 km loop I hadn’t even known existed when I began. Part 4 reflects on the struggle, doubt, small victories, and the powerful sense of accomplishment that only comes from pushing through the unknown and finishing something harder—and more meaningful—than planned.
Tag: french river
Finally Reaching the Lakes | Solo Canoe Trip on the French River (Part 3)
After the brutal beaver-creek grind of Part 2, Part 3 finally delivers the moment I’d been pushing toward: reaching the first lake in the chain that inspired this entire trip. The shift from tight, tangled creek to open water feels like stepping into another world. I take time to explore a small, secluded beaver pond—likely seldom visited—before paddling into the main lake in search of a place to make camp. As the light softens and the shoreline quiets, I settle in, gather firewood, and end the day beside a warm campfire. It’s a welcome pause, a chance to breathe, and the first real payoff after so much effort.
Solo Canoe Trip on the French River – Part 2: Beaver Creek Beat Me Up
Part 2 of my solo French River journey turned out to be the most physically and mentally demanding stretch of the entire loop. I entered a narrow beaver creek believing there was just a single pullover between me and the next lake, but what followed was hours of dragging, lifting, climbing over dams, bushwhacking through tangled shorelines, and pushing my canoe through water that barely existed. More than once I considered turning back, yet the stubborn part of me kept inching forward. This chapter captures the raw, unfiltered reality of backcountry travel—the frustration, the fatigue, and the small victories that keep you going when the wilderness tests every ounce of resolve you have.
Solo Canoe Trip on the French River — Part 1: I Thought This Would Be Easy
In early October, I headed out on what I believed would be a quick overnight solo canoe trip on the French River. I had looked at the map, planned my route, and convinced myself this would be straightforward: paddle 6.7 km, one portage, one pullover, find the lake I’d been wanting to explore for a while, make camp, enjoy the quiet.
It didn’t quite go that way.
The first leg of the trip started simple enough. Calm water, steady paddling, just me and my Nova Craft Prospector 14 cutting through the river. I’ve paddled solo plenty of times, and this felt like familiar territory. That confidence may have been part of the problem. I was prepared, but I was also a bit naive about what the day would actually demand.
A Side Quest I Couldn’t Resist
On my way in, I stopped to find a beaver pond I’d always wondered about. I had the time, the weather was good, and curiosity has always been part of why I head into these places. So I went for it.
The small detour ended up being one of the highlights of the day.
A quiet, glassy pond.
A massive beaver dam holding everything in place.
A moment where the world just slows down.
It was worth the stop.
Back to the Mission
After the pond, I got back on track and continued toward the lake system I was aiming for. This first episode sets the tone—what begins as a simple trip slowly becomes something larger, more challenging, and more meaningful than I expected.
This series isn’t just about paddling. It’s about curiosity, adapting when things don’t go to plan, and paying attention to the subtle moments along the way.
Watch the full playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6s24DUaXPyx8YSg1sUFpUYz-Dqzwe_dH&si=oz7MnPmJ8_w_gWvr
Paddling: Nova Craft Prospector 14
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