Lime Island Rendezvous

Join WMCKA at Lime Island State Park

July 13th-15th, 2012

Spend the weekend exploring the rich history that Lime Island State Park has to offer. Lime Island is Michigan's newest State Park located in the St. Mary's River right next to the shipping channel leading to the Sault Ste. Marie locks. The 980 acre island is a paddling adventure destination that includes crossing a shipping channel to the island.

Although details are still in the planning stage, we'll most likely meet at the Raber boat launch either Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. From there we'll paddle the 2.75 mile crossing to Lime Island. Our route will cross the shipping channel in the St Marys River and if we're lucky, we'll see a freighter along the way. The crossing should take us about 45 minutes.

Once on the island, we'll set up camp. Two lodging options are available. Tenting is allowed at several places on the island, or if you'd rather have a roof and walls around you, we'll be renting a cabin or two for the weekend. This outing is ready to adapt to the ideas of the participants and yet the only scheduled paddles will be the crossings on Friday and Sunday afternoons.

Required Skills/Equipment:

  • You'll need to be able to stay in your boat for an hour. The crossing should take us 45 minutes, but we may delayed if we need to wait for a freighter.
  • Because of the distances, your boat should be a sea kayak with twin bulkheads, and sealed hatch covers.
  • While conditions should be benign. You will need to be prepared to cross in moderate wind and waves. You may want a wet suit or dry suit for the crossings depending on the water temperature.
  • You'll need to take everything you'll need to stay on the island for two days in your boat in watertight containers. The cabins do have bunk beds and there is potable water on the island along with pit toilets, but that's where the comforts end.
  • If you would like to join us in a trip to the Old Fort on St. Joseph Island (in Canada), you will need to bring a passport or enhance driver's license. This is not required if you stay on Lime Island, only if you want to visit Fort St. Joseph.

More information about the Lime Island and Lime Island State Park can be found at the following links:

If you are interested in joining us, please email Steve Adsmond ( adsmond [at] comcast [dot] net) ASAP.