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--- lake_pepin [2023/09/28 11:01]
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+++ lake_pepin [2025/11/17 19:58] (current)
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 <WRAP indent>
-**Lake Pepin** is an “S” shaped widening of the **Mississippi River** as it passes through a sandstone gorge with Minnesota on one side and Wisconsin on the other. The lake is held back by a natural dam formed where the Chippewa river enters the Mississippi and drops massive quantities of sand. Lake Pepin is 20 miles long, 2 miles wide, fairly shallow at only 20 feet deep, and has minimal current in most sections. Lake Pepin is where Ralph Samuelson invented water skiing in 1922, getting towed first by a motorboat and then in 1925 by a sea plane reportedly at 80 mph. Before the invention of plastic, the area’s main industry was producing buttons from clamshells collected in the lake.
+**Lake Pepin** is an “S” shaped widening of the **Mississippi River** as it passes through a sandstone gorge with [[:west_north_central_usa#minnesota|Minnesota]]** on one side and ** [[:east_north_central_usa#wisconsin|Wisconsin]]** on the other.** The lake is held back by a natural dam formed where the Chippewa river enters the Mississippi and drops massive quantities of sand. Lake Pepin is 20 miles long, 2 miles wide, fairly shallow at only 20 feet deep, and has minimal current in most sections. Lake Pepin is where Ralph Samuelson invented water skiing in 1922, getting towed first by a motorboat and then in 1925 by a sea plane reportedly at 80 mph. Before the invention of plastic, the area’s main industry was producing buttons from clamshells collected in the lake. There is some large boat traffic, barges, [[:lake_pepin#sternwheelers|sternwheelers]], etc. on the lake.
+----
+<WRAP centeralign>
+{{:locales:minnesota:lakepepin:pepinbarge.jpg?direct&300x199|pepinbarge.jpg}}
+**Lake Pepin Barge** photo: J. Sanborn [[https://youtu.be/iBjrwS2IfUc|video]]
+</WRAP>
+----
 </WRAP>
 ===== Downwind =====
+----
 <WRAP centeralign>
-----
+**Maps**** - click to enlarge**
-{{:locales:minnesota:lake_pepin_overview.png?direct&400x269}}
+</WRAP>
-----
+<WRAP col2>
+{{:locales:minnesota:pepin.jpg?direct&313x300|pepin.jpg}}<font inherit/inherit;;#ffffff;;inherit>………………………</font> {{:locales:minnesota:lake_pepin_overview.png?direct&300x300}}
 </WRAP>
+----
 <WRAP indent>
-Lake Pepin is about 75 minutes south of the Twin Cities. There are numerous launch points on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the river. Pepin is a **great place for beginners to learn to downwind**. Shore is never far away and waves are typically clean, orderly, and only about 2 feet high. In high winds, waves can get 3-4 feet and be quite fun.
+Lake Pepin is about 75 minutes south of the Twin Cities. There are numerous launch points on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the river. Pepin is a **great place for beginners to learn to downwind**. Shore is never far away (Ed: //maybe not like larger lakes or the ocean, but there can still be a significant swim if you have an equipment problem or decide to divorce your surfski//) and waves are typically clean, orderly, and only about 2 feet high. In high winds, waves can get 3-4 feet and be quite fun.
 ==== Runs ====
@@ Line 46: / Line 64: @@
 **Downstream to Reads Landing**:
-The best run on the lake is riding a W or NW wind, **starting** anywhere **between Lake City and Frontenac** (within the state park), and **finishing at Reads Landing** at the downstream terminus of the lake. There is an 11 mile fetch in that section and in the last few miles the steep walls of the gorge funnel and accelerate the wind. On a big day this section is reminiscent of a good day in the Columbia river gorge. The take out is at a brew pub in Reads Landing 1.5 current-assisted miles past the end of the lake. This last section is not surfing, but there is a swift current to help you along. It’s a nice cool down after chasing bumps and an opportunity to chat with your paddling partners. I have never done this run in the reverse direction though it should work just fine once you’ve beat your way upstream to the lake.
+Zach Handler 2021:
-   * **Lake City - Reads Landing**  10 miles
+<WRAP indent>
+"The best run on the lake is riding a W or NW wind, **starting** anywhere **between Lake City and Frontenac** (within the state park), and **finishing at Reads Landing** at the downstream terminus of the lake. There is an 11 mile fetch in that section and in the last few miles the steep walls of the gorge funnel and accelerate the wind. On a big day this section is reminiscent of a good day in the Columbia river gorge. The take out is at a brew pub in Reads Landing 1.5 current-assisted miles past the end of the lake. This last section is not surfing, but there is a swift current to help you along. It’s a nice cool down after chasing bumps and an opportunity to chat with your paddling partners. I have never done this run in the reverse direction though it should work just fine once you’ve beat your way upstream to the lake."
+</WRAP>
+  * **Lake City - Reads Landing**  10 miles
   * **Frontenac (Florence Township Beach) - Reads Landing**  17 miles
   * **Maiden Rock - Pepin**  13.5 miles [[https://youtu.be/Rp5zX_Cyz1o|video]]
@@ Line 77: / Line 101: @@
 ----
-===== Videos =====
+===== Conditions =====
-<WRAP centeralign>
+  * [[https://wind.willyweather.com/wi/pierce-county/lake-pepin.html|Willy Weather Wind Forecast]]
+  * …
 ----
-{{youtube>4_tHuvfmdiw}}
+===== Sternwheelers =====
-----
+<WRAP indent>
-{{youtube>lvCrumyho34}}
+Although the local Pearl of the Lake has departed for Florida there are large sternwheelers that pass through Lake Pepin on occasion (you may be able to find their schedules online - e.g. [[https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/American-Countess-1293|American Countess]]) and can provide a fun wash ride.
+<WRAP centeralign>
+**American Duchess Sternwheeler Wash Ride**
+{{youtube>1qIUYU6ynlg?start=133&large}}
+</WRAP>
+</WRAP>
 ----
-{{youtube>1qIUYU6ynlg?start=133}}
+===== Videos =====
+  * [[:locales:usa:lake_pepin_videos|Lake Pepin Videos]]
+  * ...
 ----
-</WRAP>
+===== Resources =====
+  * [[https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.sanborn.77|Jonathan Sanborn]] (facebook) Is quite familiar with paddling on Lake Pepin
+  * [[https://www.facebook.com/zachary.handler.9|Zach Handler]] (facebook) Zach is an experienced Lake Pepin downwind paddler and kindly provided the information on this page
+  * …
 </WRAP>

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