Hickory Ridge - Paddle Across Iowa

Paddle Across Iowa reaches the Mississippi!
You can still pledge to support Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp

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See images of John's trip at an album on INHF's facebook page with photos by Diane Lowry. More Paddle Across Iowa pictures on the web by Gerry Rowland, the "father" of the Des Moines River water trail.

Where's John? May 5. A beautiful Wednesday morning as John ends his adventure. Yeah John!

John Craun - thumbs up at the Mississippi

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This information was last updated May 24, 2010.

Why did John Craun paddle his kayak 400+ miles across Iowa?

Besides the challenge and the adventure, John and his Paddle Across Iowa team challenge all of us to help create Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp on Lake Red Rock, to provide a new destination for primitive camping and nature enjoyment in Central Iowa.

John's trip has ended successfully after not quite a week paddling down all 400+ miles of the Des Moines River (counting portages, of course). He faced high winds and storms much of the way from Minnesota to Missouri, but he perservered! THANKS to John, the crazy kayaker and to all of you who are helping to support this effort!

Congrats to Sharon Anderson of Des Moines who got a good deal on a new kayak donated by Canoe Sport Outfitters of Indianola to support Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp and Paddle Across Iowa.

YOU can still support John and Paddle Across Iowa!

John is done, but you can still support Paddle Across and Hickory Ridge! About $71,000 is still needed to complete this $405,000 project and open the camp for public use. Donations are tax deductible.

What is Hickory Ridge?

Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp will give Iowans an opportunity to enjoy Lake Red Rock, while getting away from motorboats, RVs and concrete. It will be a special attraction for canoeists and kayakers who will use this overnight accommodation for weekend outings on the lake. Scouts and other youth groups will come to practice orienteering or learn to canoe and kayak.

This project is spearheaded by the Red Rock Lake Association and supported by INHF and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. When fundraising and cleanup are complete, Hickory Ridge will be opened for public use. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to take over long-term management and oversight.

Why the Des Moines River?

Long before there was ever a bicycle in Iowa, people paddled the Des Moines River as a water trail. The Des Moines River begins in southwest Minnesota and snakes its way more than 400 miles through northwest Iowa down to the southeastern tip of the state and into the Mississippi River.

The most dangerous obstacles when paddling the Des Moines River are not sand, rock, gravel, mud, logs or other natural obstructions. They are man-made dams. The most dangerous dams are not the large ones like the Saylorville dam or the Lake Red Rock dam, but the low-head dams. A total of 11 dams must be portaged around on the Des Moines River. Weather and water levels are two other challenges when paddling the river.

The Des Moines River is part of our state's natural heritage and a recreational treasure. A number of Iowans are working to establish a water trail over the entire length of the river, with segments of it already in place, including a segment being developed at Lake Red Rock. A special feature of this water trail segment is Hickory Ridge, which will be a designated camping area for paddlers.

Paddle Across Iowa reaches the Mississippi! You can still pledge to support Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp

Paddle Across Iowa reaches the Mississippi!
You can still pledge to support Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp