The Pirates of Pine Grove
Hidden
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Saturday, September 18, 2010
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Arrrr... a pack of canoes full of geocachers setting out into the channels of the North Fork State Wilderness Area! (What could possibly go wrong!?)
Arrr... Make ready to set sail, ye scurvy dogs! We’re heading out for high adventure among the notoriously pirate infested channels and islands of Pine Grove. Here’s a chance to do something a little different as far as a meet-n-greet goes. Right now we’re planning this for September 18th at high noon. The coordinates will take you to the Pine Grove launch ramp for easy access to the scenic North Fork State Wilderness Area on Lake Monroe. Several of us going along have paddled through here any numbers of times, so we’ll surely get back with most of the folks we set out with. This trip usually take me about four hours, so even with a group we should be back by 6 easily before dark.
DJHobby found a canoe rental outfit that is willing to deliver any number of canoes to the ramp with paddles and life jackets (required by law, one per person). My understanding is the rate is $50 per boat, and each one can handle at least two people, maybe three depending on the people. This is by no means a plug for their business, but they do seem like nice people. That number will be posted here as soon as I get it from DJ. (UPDATE: I got a prompt and very enthusiastic reply from Steve Chapin at the outfitters DJ found. Turned out its usually $60 a day for a delivered canoe but he's cutting us a break and doing it for $50 a boat including paddles and PFDs! Shoot him an e-mail and refer to the Bloomington Geocachers event at Pine Grove to get in on the group rate if you need a boat. That's $25 a head if two to a boat or $16.66 a head if three to a boat!) Students at Indiana University can get boats for $14 (including stuff to tie them to a car) from the IMU Outfitters at the Student Union by showing a valid I.D. card. Oh yeah, don't forget your watercraft sticker! Even canoes and kayaks need this $5 sticker on the bow. They sell those at the DNRrrrrr stations at the entry point to recreation areas and DNRrrrr offices. I believe the I.U. boats and the rentals already have these.
A rough estimate on distance is about 6 miles total (about 3 out, about 3 back). Less experienced paddlers shouldn’t worry, as the water this time of year is usually only a foot or so deep in most places, so if you do happen to dump your boat you can stand up and fix things as your friends laugh and point. This is flat water, so no worries about rapids. You will want to watch for tree stumps, which result in hanging up your canoe while (again) your friends laugh and point.
On a recent scout of this route we saw large numbers of Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, various ducks (none venomous), Canada Geese, and a little herd of deer. I’ve also seen Bald Eagles and Fish Eagles, as well as various hawks out here.
What to bring: Yourself, of course. You’ll need either your own canoe, paddle, and PFD (Personal Floatation Device), or arrange for a rental. Wading is involved at times, and falling on your butt is not unheard of, so a swimsuit or something you don’t mind getting wet is appropriate. If you have water shoes or old sneakers you'll want them. Flip flops will just get sucked off in the mud. Sun screen, bug spray, and a hat are advised, though we haven’t really had mosquito issues out here. A big ziplock bag or a dry bag for your wallets and other things you don’t want to get wet is a good idea. A cooler is handy for your snacks as well as beverages of your choosing. A camera is always handy.
Driving directions: Pine Grove ramp is located at the end of Pine Grove road (what a coincidence!) If coming from the Bloomington area, you’ll take S.R. 446 south out of town. A few miles out of town you’ll see a marina on the right, and then The Cabin bar and grill on the left. Just after The Cabin you’ll see Pine Grove Road. Turn left, and go until you drive into the lake. (Or park, your call.) From down south, you’ll just find your way onto S.R. 446 and head north. After crossing the causeway over Lake Monroe, (be sure to wave at John Mellencamp, he’s beyond that big iron gate just after the causeway) you’ll only go a couple miles before seeing The Cabin. Just before The Cabin, turn right onto Pine Grove Rd. and head down the hill.
This should be a lot of fun! Hope to see you there! I’d note I’m rating this as a 1 for difficulty, since you can drive right to the given coords, but a 5 on terrain, since it involves special equipment. Bet there’s some grids out there that need that one filled!
-Monstercatambush
P.S. Though there's a good chance we'll be pretty sick of each other by the end of the day, we might want to get some grub at that same place where we did the 10th anniversary event. That's just up the hill from here. Maybe comment in your "will attend" if you might be interested. We warned them last time the cachers were coming and they went out of their way to make us welcome.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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