I’m getting stoked about our Memorial weekend kayak/camping trip with Mike & Caryn down to Hoosier National Forest. I spent the day calling the various agencies – and there are at least THREE that have jurisdiction for that whole area. Army Corps of Engineers, Indiana Department of Natural Resources or US Forest Service need to be checked with unless you’re more fortunate than me and know already where you’ll be putting in and camping. Everyone I called was extremely friendly and hopeful, though.
I was told that the water on Lake Monroe is currently 14 feet above normal. The record was 17 feet. The Army Corps of Engineers are letting enough water out that the level has/should be dropping about 4 inches a day. Regardless, 2 or 3 day parking lots will still be under water. I really hope the rain subsides for our trip. I plan on utilizing a tarp at camp to maintain some dry cover outside of the tent. I remember any other camping trip where it rained was spent inside the tent playing cards or something crazy.
Provided the weather is in our favor, we plan on paddling of course, hiking and fishing. We intend on camping along the shore of the lake in the Deam Wilderness. It’s primitive, the way I prefer it. You can camp anywhere not within 100 feet of any water or trail. I also learned some interesting Federal laws and facts about navigable waterways. Many of my dream trips include long trips down US rivers, but am concerned about where to camp. Well, this cleared up and I was very pleasantly surprised. I guess it needs confirmation, though.
I need restock my Cliff bars and purchase a few more gear items (collapseable water bowls, tarp, para-chord). Stay tuned for the trip report on this one!
