Crooked Creek - Kayak Trip / Canoe Trip
Report Type: Destination Report
Nearest City: Nashville, IN
Difficulty: Easy
Description:
Crooked Creek & Salt Creek
Winter Kayaking: Generally I put in at the Crooked Creek Ramp which leads to Lake Monroe in Brown County, Indiana. As long as there is no ice I can go. My first step is to load the kayak on the truck the day before. When I get up in the morning, kayaking doesn’t sound that appealing. But, having the kayak loaded means a commitment. I know that once I'm on the water I’ll be glad I came.
For clothes I wear Patagonia long underwear beneath a pair of water resistant paddling pants. For upper body I wear a layered combination of synthetic turtleneck, pullover or whatever the day calls for, and a balaclava.
For boots I like the NFS neoprene’s that come up to the knees. The biggest problem is keeping my hands warm. I’m 68 and I don’t have the best circulation to my hands. I have the expensive neoprene gloves but they don’t seem to do the job. What works best for me is a pair of light weight Patagonia glove liners, inside a pair of regular brown cotton work gloves and then a pair of black rubber chemical gloves that come up to my elbows. I buy the chemical gloves at the hardware store for about $3.00. This combination keeps my hands reasonably warm.
Although I have several kayaks, for winter kayaking I use an old 14 foot poly Aquaterra. It has a 25 inch beam so there isn’t much chance of tipping and of course I wear a spray skirt. Also, the Aquaterra cuts right through thin layers of ice.
Even though it’s cold when I first start paddling, after about ten minutes I’ll feel very comfortable. With the spray skirt on, my lower body will stay warm. The upper body movement of paddling will keep my upper body warm.
After settling myself in and putting the thermos of coffee on the deck, I’m off. There is a channel that leads to Lake Monroe, although from October to April this section of Lake Monroe is closed as a nesting area. But, after paddling the channel I can turn east and head up Salt Creek. In this area Salt Creek is like a river with almost a non-existent current. Also, it is protected by high hills from the west winds which add to my comfort.
If the temperature would, say get up to 40 degrees, the warmer air and the colder water creates a moving fog that can be quite ethereal.
I usually paddle alone although once in awhile I’ll go with another kayaker. There are not many people who want to kayak when it’s cold.
If you ever wanted your own private waterway, this is the season; it’s unlikely that I will see anyone. For winter kayaking, I’ll paddle three or four hours, two hours out and two hours back to the landing. Load the kayak on the truck and head for home. Time for a big country breakfast and then a well deserved winter’s nap.
Accommodations:
No accommodationsd or facilities.
Fees:
If you're an Indiana Resident, you'll need Indiana sticker.
Directions:
Route 46 between Nashville, IN and Bloomington, IN. Turn south at Belmont, follow road till you come to Crooked Creek Ramp. Should be about 5 miles.
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