Mudding at the Creek
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 12:43 pm
First time posting here, wanted to share my first good session I had yesterday.
I live in MN, so lots of lakes and creeks to explore. I paddled up a lake to its head and followed the creek. It was going well until there was a bridge ahead, and the water level was too low, so I had to portage around it. It wasn't labeled well, so I went down the wrong path to the other side of the creek. I found a spot where the trail went close to the creek, albeit up a steep wooded bank. I maneuvered my kayak down into the creek but it got caught on a sandbar. I went to pick it up.
That's when I sank down to my knees in the sandbar. Turns out, it was less sand like the creek and more a mix of silt, clay, and muck underneath. I stripped down to my swimsuit and went around testing the mud. I didn't yet have a stick to test the depth so I had the thrill of not knowing how deep I'd go. The deepest spot I could sink up to my hips. Wow, there is nothing like the feeling of mud pulling on you and wrapping around your legs. I could clean up in the creek, and after storing my kayak in my car, I went on to explore some old channels further up (sadly those were all duds!). As I was walking back, I just couldn't resist and went back to the sandbar, this time with a trusty stick. Suffice to say, I got some really good practice working myself down and getting myself out!
I'd love to find a spot that was a little deeper, a little more privacy, and a little less watery (this ended up getting covered in about 2in of water). And some approved footwear, and other PPE. All in moderation! I'd want to go with a friend too.
If you know any good spots in MN or want to chat, feel free to message me!
I live in MN, so lots of lakes and creeks to explore. I paddled up a lake to its head and followed the creek. It was going well until there was a bridge ahead, and the water level was too low, so I had to portage around it. It wasn't labeled well, so I went down the wrong path to the other side of the creek. I found a spot where the trail went close to the creek, albeit up a steep wooded bank. I maneuvered my kayak down into the creek but it got caught on a sandbar. I went to pick it up.
That's when I sank down to my knees in the sandbar. Turns out, it was less sand like the creek and more a mix of silt, clay, and muck underneath. I stripped down to my swimsuit and went around testing the mud. I didn't yet have a stick to test the depth so I had the thrill of not knowing how deep I'd go. The deepest spot I could sink up to my hips. Wow, there is nothing like the feeling of mud pulling on you and wrapping around your legs. I could clean up in the creek, and after storing my kayak in my car, I went on to explore some old channels further up (sadly those were all duds!). As I was walking back, I just couldn't resist and went back to the sandbar, this time with a trusty stick. Suffice to say, I got some really good practice working myself down and getting myself out!
I'd love to find a spot that was a little deeper, a little more privacy, and a little less watery (this ended up getting covered in about 2in of water). And some approved footwear, and other PPE. All in moderation! I'd want to go with a friend too.
If you know any good spots in MN or want to chat, feel free to message me!