Paddling Rainy River from Voyageurs NP HQ to Ranier

It was a cool and overcast day, but without much wind. We decided to take advantage of, perhaps, one of our last opportunities to paddle for this summer by getting out on the Rainy River not too far from home. We made the short drive over to the boat ramp near the Voyageurs National Park Headquarters building, put the canoe in the water, and paddled upstream. We turned onto the first tributary we came to, crossing under what's locally known as "Second Bridge".

Soon the creek we were paddling branched into two. We explored each branch as far as we could

and scared off some of the waterfowl that did not seem used to having people in their territory. After a few minutes on the creek, we paddled back to the river and continued upstream. We passed some beautiful homes perched on the edge of the river and even saw a couple of bald eagles. As we approached Ranier, and the cantilever bridge marking the point where Rainy Lake spills into the Rainy River, the current got much stronger.

We paddled as close to the bridge as we could

and then turned around, just as a train crossed into Canada.

The sun came out for a brief moment as we paddled downstream towards the paper mill.

Soon we could see the large sign for US Customs which marked the boat ramp and the end of our short paddle.