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| The upper Baptism is less often run (as compared to the 'main' (lower) reach). It is characterized by class II-III rapids, and occasional wide, potentially keepy holes. The one exception is a larger (class IV-V) falls in the middle of the run (the lower part of a river-right 'sneak' route being pictured above). In general all but the pictured drop should be boat-scoutable at most water levels. |
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Action on the lower Baptism starts off shortly downstream of the put-in, as one encounters the dells shown above left. A couple good offset holes are generally easily avoidable, and a good pool exists at the end, where the river turns sharply to the left.
Not far downstream, another rapids leads to a huge rock which splits the flow (shown above right). Either side is possible, though river left carries most of the flow and requires less maneuvering. |
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A few more good drops ensue, including a good 3' ledge where the river is immediately deflected sharply to the left. Not far downstream, prepare to get out river left to scout Illgen Falls (shown above left). This thirtyfive-footer (more-or-less, depending on who you talk to) has been run since the 1970's (in fiberglass kayaks!), generally without mishap. While the water pounds and churns in the pool at the base, it generally seems to spit boaters out quite cleanly. The portage around requires near goat-like agility to cling to a narrow trail, carrying your boat, to get to the pool below. Nonetheless, I personally have always been more-than-happy to choose this option, and set-up to photo/video any 'runs' from below.
Not far downstream, boaters should prepare to get ashore (river left) before reaching a Superior Hiking Trail footbridge. Failure to do so would not be pretty, as High Falls (pictured above right) lies just beyond. While stories tell of a hiker who somehow fell into the river and was swept over the falls and lived!, a boater should not expect to be so fortunate. This is listed as the tallest falls wholly contained within the borders of Minnesota. (I believe High Falls on the Pigeon River (forming the border between Minnesota and Canada) is taller, thus the distinction made in the description.) |
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The next major falls is Two Step. An upper ledge is generally run on river left. (The right (generally not run) side of the upper ledge is in the background pictured above left.) A good 'boof' is recommended, as the pool contains some shallow rocks to 'piton' into. (Believe me, I know!) A bit of slack-water (with a couple diagonal ledge/wave/holes) leads to the second 'step'. Most of the flow trips down irregular sloping bedrock and into a generally 'hungry' hole. The recommended route is to hug well to the right, going through a couple small waves, almost brushing your shoulder on the wall of rock on river right as you take a 'leap-of-faith' into the eddy below-right, avoiding the 'maw' of the hole to your left.
Again, not far downstream, boaters should prepare to get ashore (river left) as the river enters a narrow dells. While the rapids in the early part of this stretch are easy, they lure you to boat beyond the last reasonable takeout before The Narrows. While the trail for the portage takes you fairly far from the river, there are a couple places where you may wish to leave your boat by the trail and hike toward the river to see some of the utter chaos the river is tortured through in this canyon. Once safely around this spot, the remainder of the run to Tettegouche State Park is pretty much a piece-of-cake. You will pass the gauge-stick on the right bank just before passing under the Hwy.61 bridge (high overhead). Your take-out will be on the left, where you will carry back up to the wayside parking lot. (Note: While a fee is required to enter Minnesota State Parks, virtually all of them on the North Shore are accompanied by 'wayside' parking, for which no fee is required.) |