A kayak Trip to remember!

A Kayak Trip To Remember!

A few years ago I had the opportunity to take a kayak trip down the Crow Creek right off of Illinois Route 26. We got dropped off with our kayaks at the bridge, and had a truck waiting for us at Woodford County State Fish and Wildlife area. I would say this trip is for everyone however it was not the easiest trip to complete. It was full of beautiful views and we encountered a lot of birds and wildlife.

As we began our journey down the creek I started to feel like we had travelled back in time. The peaceful seclusion of nature and sense of seclusion made it feel like we were the only ones around for miles. We probably were the only ones around for at least a mile. We had timed this trip when the water was still high enough in the Crow to float, but not so high the current would be raging. It seemed like the Crow stretched on for miles with low hanging branches, beautiful old growth timber, and plenty of birds singing along it's banks.

It took a couple hours to reach the mouth of the Crow into the Illinois River, as we approached where the Crow entered the Illinois River the light got brighter and it opened up into a larger area before dumping into the Illinois. The Illinois River is pretty narrow up by the Crow, but distance across is deceiving until you are out on it in a 12' vessel. The trip was not bad for me and my companions, however it wasn't without challenges. The current up by the mouth of the Crow is pretty heavy and the undercurrents can be dangerous in this area. Not to mention the Sun was getting higher in the sky and the temperatures were rising into the 80's pretty quickly.

We pressed on down south on the main channel of the Illinois River watching for Barge and Boat traffic until we reached the island channel right across from Chillicothe, Illinois. When we reached the end of the Island Channel we were faced with the large open flat of Goose Lake. It happened to be the hottest part of the day, the sun started beating down heavy and I believe the temperatures were in the mid 90's by the time we hit the wide open water with no shade. luckily it is pretty shallow in Goose Lake, so we could get the occasional splash of river water to cool down.

Our end point was beginning to come into view, Woodford County State Fish and Wildlife Area. It probably took a good hour to get across Goose Lake to our end point, where we were greeted by Herons along the Ditches, and several different species of ducks swimming. At this point we were glad to have made the trip successfully and with no major issues along the way. These waters have always filled my soul with joy and I would like to take this trip again at some point in my life. The pristine banks of the Crow house many different species of birds and wildlife. The fishing can be extraordinary at different times of the year and it just something a story can never truly describe.

I would recommend this trip for more advanced kayakers due to the currents present at the mouth of the Crow and down to the Rail Road Bridge, as well as the exposure to weather along the way. Six to Eight hours on a kayak in the middle of a river system can be rough on your body and the heat can get to you quick. So make sure you pack plenty of water and extra gear for the trip. PFD's and safety equipment like flares or a whistle and a good way to communicate in case something goes wrong on your adventure. You also may want to have a modular First Aid kit, you never know what you will encounter.

I plan on taking more adventures like these in the future and writing about more of them from my past. I love the outdoors and especially the Illinois River and hope to pass that love onto you. Words can't explain the true beauty of these adventures, but they may inspire you to take your own. That is the goal. I appreciate you checking out my posts and plan to continue creating content for you as much as my time allows. If you want to receive updates or our upcoming newsletter sign up below! Until next time, get outdoors, enjoy the views, and I hope to meet you out on the water!