2026-04-26 The morning started out cool and overcast, but the skies cleared shortly after we launched. The water level at the 146th street gauge was around 3.65'. We had 8 kayaks and 5 canoes carrying 17 people. We unloaded and ran shuttle then got underway. The water level was rather low, but there was always a line to get through. There were turtles in abundance. We passed by a blue heron rookery, which sounded like some chicks were calling for their parents to bring them fish. A bit after 146th street an owl flew across the river and landed in a tree, immediately triggering an unhappy reaction from the local blue jay population. We passed by an eagle's nest. While I didn't see any eagles, but I saw an osprey and heard a hummingbird chittering. We drifted by a doe eating some weeds on the bank.
We ate lunch on a sand bar a little ways upriver from the White River Canoe Company takeout. At this water level, there were plenty of places to stop. Total trip time was about 4 hours 40 minutes for about 13 miles.
Trip report: Kyle Wills, photos Vicki Tillotson
