Au Sable River Day Trip

Trip Overview

A perfect day. Set up camp in Alcona Park campground on Alcona Pond. Next day drove to the launch just upstream of the McKinley Bridge. Padded from there to the Alcona Park boat ramp. River is very wide with no log jams, strainers or sweepers to worry about. It took us just a bit over 2 hours to go 7 miles to the 4001 Bridge, then another 1.5 hours to get to the boat ramp at Alcona Park. There was a stiff headwind on Alcona Pond or it would have taken less time.

I was planning to ride a bicycle back to McKinley to retrieve my truck but one of the other campers offered to give me a lift, which I gladly accepted. Topped the day off with filet mignon, corn on the cob and baked potatoes, all cooked on a tripod grill over the campfire.