The Bark River

The Bark River is a tributary of the Rock River, about 55 miles of twists and turns. joining the Rock River in Fort Atkinson, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River.

The Bark River rises in southern Washington County and flows generally southwestward through the communities of Hartland, Delafield and Rome and through several medium and small lakes.

Some of the Bark is choked off with dead fall and a few spillways dams and low bridges. Most can be navigated with out getting out of the canoe, some you just have to portage around.

The Bark river is one of my favorite "quick paddle" spots being twenty minutes away in Fort Atkinson and 30 minutes from the Sugar Island put-in near Delafield. It offers a remote feel has a mild current and offers a up north feel with limited structures homes and buildings.

Saturday's found me alone on the Bark. Mild temperatures (low 70's) and the solitude made this an incredible experience. The water is crystal clear. I saw a crayfish the size of my hand in the shallows. Which is about 3 times larger then I have ever seen before.

I put-in at Dousman and did an up hill paddle to the Nemahbin Lakes and turned around and leisurely made my way back. Outstanding.

Late night experience

The Manitou made a brief visit arriving late on Friday night. On a mission to scout locations for the Ultimate Hugh Heward Challenge 2009 our visit was short. Arriving just before midnight we managed to talk paddling and adventure, knocked back a few barley pops while playing with his new puppy "Gabby".

Gabby is a big dog trapped in a small dog body. At 18 weeks old, in a word.... a terror. Lots of energy and full of the dickens.

Michelle made the trip too. It was wonderful to see them both. Thirty minutes with these two and your packing dry bags and sorting gear. The adventure is on!

The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own. -Benjamin Disraeli