What we’re about
PLEASE READ FULL DESCRIPTION! Northern Paddle and Trail (NPT) began in Rhinelander, WI about 20 years ago by a small group of outdoor enthusiasts. It was created to provide a variety of silent sports outings. Members enjoy the beauty of our lakes, rivers and forests where we get fresh air and exercise while visiting with like-minded souls. Our get-togethers include hiking, kayaking, canoeing, biking, XC skiing, snowshoeing, ice shuffleboard, camping, and annual potlucks, plus occasional game nights at a local pub.
For many years NPT has maintained a website at: https://northernpaddletrail.org. Here you can peruse pictures of past events, info about joining NPT and more. There is an annual fee for membership. $10/person or $15/family. Your first event is FREE. After that, if you wish to continue, you will need to join NPT at the website listed above.
At this time future events will be posted here on MeetUp and on the website’s calendar. Members are welcome to lead an event as we are open to new ideas and places to go.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Paddle Sylvania Wilderness Area, June 12 & 13, 2024Sylvania Wilderness, Watersmeet, MI
On this adventure we will head north about an hour from Rhinelander to the Sylvania Wilderness and Recreation Area outside Watersmeet, Michigan. For those of you who haven't been there you will be impressed with the beauty of the area. The old-growth forests of hemlock, yellow birch, and its pristine 34 named non-motorized lakes provide plentiful fishing and canoeing/kayaking and hiking opportunities. This event consists of two adventures and an opportunity to car camp if you choose to. You can participate in one or both depending on your summer schedule. There is vehicle admission fee of $5.00/day that can be paid by using the fee tube at the Entrance Station. If you have a senior recreation card pass for the National Parks and other Recreational Areas then there is no fee. You may need to display its number or the card itself on the dash of your vehicle. No metal or glass food or beverage containers, including foam containers can be taken into the wilderness area where we are going.
Paddle Sylvania from Crooked Lake to High Lake, Wednesday, June 12th at 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m
On Wednesday, we will put-in at the Crooked Lake boat landing and paddle to High Lake. No shuttle will be needed on this day and there are vault toilets at the landing. There is a short portage between Crooked and High, and we will help each other move the boats across. High Lake is a 77 acre crystal clear lake that at times can be turquoise in color depending on the direction of the Sun. It was a spiritual experience for me seeing High Lake for the first time. On a calm day you can see the smallmouth bass swimming among the logs on the bottom of the lake 95 feet below your boat. For those interested, we can portage into Kerr Lake and do some more exploring there before heading back to Crooked and our vehicles. PFD's are required for all NPT paddle events. Bring water, snacks and wear appropriate footwear and clothes for the weather. See you at the landing. - Jay
Directions: From the entrance station follow the signs to the boat landing/parking. Turn left for the Crooked Lake put-in.
RSVP here and let Jay Joppa know you're coming at jayjoppa1950@gmail.com or 715-499-1022.Car camp Sylvania Wednesday evening, June 12th Clark Lake Campground
For those that want to we can spend the night in Sylvania at the Clark Lake Campground. There is no group campsite so each person will need to reserve their own site. Reservations can be made by going to Recreation.gov Once there search Sylvania (Clark Lake) Campground. Contact me if your interested in camping and possibly we can reserve sites fairly close by or share a campsite. If your interested in going up to see the Paulding Light south of Bruce Crossing, MI. in the evening we could do that too. Paulding Light is a mysterious light that appears every evening in a remote area that attracts many visitors to the U.P.Paddle Sylvania Clark Lake to the Crooked Lake boat landing, Thursday, June 13th at 10:30 a.m. - 2;30 p.m.
Our put-in will be the Clark Lake boat landing which has vault toilets. We will shuttle vehicles to the Crooked Lake boat landing parking lot which is about a 10 minutes drive. At the far end of Clark is a nice sandy beach where we can have lunch. Then we will portage over to Crooked Lake. We will help each other move our boats across the portage over to Crooked. Once we get into Crooked, there are several areas we can explore depending on the groups interest and time restraints. PFD's are required for all NPT paddle events. Bring water, lunch/snacks and wear appropriate footwear and clothes for the weather. Remember, no glass/cans/foam containers. After the paddle, depending on interest, there could be more socializing by stopping in Conover for pizza/beverage on our way back.
Directions: From the entrance station follow the signs to the boat landing/parking lots. Turn left for the Crooked Lake put-in, and turn right for Clark Lake put-in.
RSVP here and let Jay Joppa know when you are coming, both days or one (which day) jayjoppa1950@gmail.com or 715-499-1022. See you at the landing. - Jay
Detailed info and maps of the Sylvania Wilderness https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ottawa/recarea/?recid=12331