Lein Park to Big Sioux Rec Area

P8170362
Originally uploaded by Iron Bieso

With back-to-back Sundays of paddling fun, I have fallen behind a bit. But on Aug. 17, I joined my buddy Brian in Sioux Falls and we hit the slow-and-slim Big Sioux River for a late-summer trip. It was a good time, but we took our time, and in all, really enjoyed the day on the water.



We started at Lien Park in Sioux Falls, located just down the hill from the "North Cliff" area of Sioux Falls. Yes, we were just south of the waste water basins, and yes, just across the street from Johnny M's, but for some reason, no stink!

Brian paddled my QCC fiberglass boat, and I took our semi-new Current Designs Sirocco, so we were pushing 34 feet of kayak down this narrow river.



We got underway near mid-morning, and the wind was mild but the temperature was a bit on the hot side, not true Sodak hot, but not pleasant, either. We enjoyed a few breaks along the way and had no trouble finding spots to get out and stretch.



The river was low, but we did not have any issues with finding the channel. There were plenty of birds to see, a few fishermen, but nothing too crazy. We did see a family of deer, but then they saw us, and poof, they were gone before our digital lens could catch them.



This stretch of river is about 12 to 13 miles long, riverwise, and we did see a few other paddlers toward the end of our journey. There were a few "slalom" areas where we were avoiding debris, and a few quicker (shallower) spots where the water seemed to be moving, but in all it was a lazy day on the water.

Safe to say both of us needed those breaks, mostly to keep our legs from getting numb. Brian was new to my boat, and the Sirocco is still new to me, so we were not racing nor attempting any sort of speed record on this stretch.

As the photo shows, the Big Sioux River gives a paddler a nice view of eastern South Dakota farmland, actually a unique view, since most of the time, people see the fields and farms from the road, not from the river.



Seeing the bridge at the Big Sioux Recreation Area was a relief, we had enough paddling for the day, and for folks who want a good long trip, try the Lien Park to BSRA trip, it's worthy of attention. The least cool thing about the trip is the long hike from the park's lot to the water, it's a good 250 meters, with a climb over the berm, so bring your portage wheels, and some good shoes, before you get your paddle on, ya'll.

A freshy-fresh post on the James River op Laura and I did on Aug. 24 is coming up soon, so keep checking back!

Jarett