- This topic has 17 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 3 months, 3 weeks ago by
Eileen Lenkman.
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October 16, 2025 at 12:24 pm #6499
Eileen Lenkman
ParticipantWappapello Lake Island Camping & Kayaking Adventure
A couple months ago several club members camped and paddled on Wappapello Lake in southeastern Missouri. We discovered two islands with primitive campsites and decided they’d be a great place to spend the weekend. If we are lucky, we’ll be surrounded by beautiful fall foliage.
There are six campsites on two islands that are a stone’s throw from each other. The islands are about 2 miles from the boat ramp. There are picnic tables but no other amenities. The graveled sites are mostly level with plenty of trees to suspend hammocks from. They would be perfect base camps from which to paddle, fish, hike, bird watch or just plain relax.
All skill levels are welcome but remember that paddling is much harder on a lake than a river with current. There may also be wind and possibly waves. 14′ or longer kayaks or canoes are recommended. If you really want to explore the lake and spend several hours paddling, sea kayaks or canoes are best.
To learn more about the lake, visit this link: Lake Wappapello
I am looking at two possible weekends: October 31st (Halloween) – November 2nd or the following weekend: November 7 through 9. If you want to camp Friday night, you need to arrive well before dark in order to kayak to the islands in daylight.
Please let me know if you are interested and if so, which weekend. We will have to make reservations but the calendar is wide open.
Eileen
636-922-3663 Please text if you have any questions. -
October 16, 2025 at 12:56 pm #6500
Eileen Lenkman
ParticipantObviously this trip is going to be very weather dependent, but these island sites are rarely booked so you don’t have to make reservations until a few days before. Please do let me know which weekend you prefer or if you can make either.
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October 26, 2025 at 1:17 pm #6542
Eileen Lenkman
ParticipantDoesn’t look like there is even any interest in this trip so I’m going to stop checking for updates by other people.
Yes, if we went it will probably be cold, but I’ve been on late Winter/early Spring river trips where we woke up to frost on the boats. This would be a good trip to check out your winter gear — including hammocks as there are a lot of trees. And, unlike a river, on this island, you are only about 2 miles from your car so you can cut your trip short if desired.
I’m probably going to go on one of the weekends if there is no rain. I don’t mind cold temps but draw the line at cold rain.
Please let me know via text if you are even interested.
Thank you
Eileen
636-922-3663 -
October 26, 2025 at 4:31 pm #6544
DebbieDyle
ParticipantNot sure what happened, there were some responses earlier. I indicated I could go the first weekend in November but not over Halloween. I think someone else could do Halloween but not the following weekend.
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October 27, 2025 at 6:44 am #6545
Scott Thierheimer
ParticipantEileen I’ve been checking this post and interested if it’s Halloween weekend. I’m starting to get back to working weekends but I think I’ll be off next weekend
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October 27, 2025 at 1:40 pm #6546
Eileen Lenkman
ParticipantScott
Let me know when you have your work schedule confirmed. Long range forecast shows no rain over the next two weekends. What size boat would you bring?
Scott and Debbie, are you interested in coming down on Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning? It takes 2 1/2 – 3 hours to get there and I think we should launch no later than 4pm in order to get camp setup by sundown — approximately 6pm.
Once we have the weekend confirmed, I’ll start a text group and send details.
Eileen
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This reply was modified 4 months, 1 week ago by
Eileen Lenkman.
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This reply was modified 4 months, 1 week ago by
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October 27, 2025 at 1:52 pm #6548
Scott Thierheimer
Participant16.5 Seda w rudder and room for gear.
I’ve been waiting to see which weekend you’d have people interested in.
Took the skills clinic, deep water self rescue, have paddle float, bilge pump and tow line.
Thanks Eileen.
Scott 314 412 2662
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October 27, 2025 at 2:12 pm #6549
Eileen Lenkman
ParticipantScott,
Since Debbie can’t do this weekend coming up (Halloween), lets plan on November 7-9 (Friday – Sunday).
Starting text group now.
Eileen
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October 27, 2025 at 2:12 pm #6550
Eileen Lenkman
ParticipantScott,
Since Debbie can’t do this weekend coming up (Halloween), lets plan on November 7-9 (Friday – Sunday).
Starting text group now.
Eileen
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October 27, 2025 at 2:35 pm #6551
Scott Thierheimer
ParticipantSorry I’ll not be able to go Nov 7th weekend.
No worries, -
October 28, 2025 at 12:08 pm #6561
Maura Reinhart
ParticipantI can make the weekend of 11/7.
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October 28, 2025 at 12:29 pm #6562
Eileen Lenkman
ParticipantHello Paddlers
We now have 4, maybe 5 people wanting to go on this trip. There are 6 campsites on the two islands so technically, that means only 12 people, or, in other words, I can get only 12 parking stickers. We will want to carpool and again, ideally get there no later than 4pm on Friday. I’ll announce and coordinate carpool meetup time and location next week.
I will reserve all the campsites next week and you can just pay me back — $8 per night.
I am thinking that on Saturday evening, we may paddle to a marina and have supper, then paddle back so you’ll want to have headlamps or glowsticks or some kind of light on your kayak.
Please let me know if you plan to come on Friday or Saturday and what kind of boat you have. You can also just come for just one day.
Thanks
Eileen
636-922-3663 (text please) -
October 31, 2025 at 8:08 am #6577
Lynn Milyo
ParticipantHi Eileen,
Just wanted to express that I am very interested in a trip like this! I am still lacking (but building up) my cold weather gear supply, but hope to go in the near future.-
October 31, 2025 at 11:55 am #6578
Eileen Lenkman
ParticipantLynn
What gear do you need? Text me so I know what your number is, then we can call and talk. I might be able to lend you some. There are a lot of substitutions you can make for “cold weather paddling gear” and the main thing (to my mind) is staying warm at night. Lots of ways you can do that.
Eileen
636-922-3663
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October 31, 2025 at 12:41 pm #6579
Eileen Lenkman
ParticipantSo far we have 5 participants and a maybe. I just called the CoE to get more information. We can have 8 people on one site and so I went ahead and made the reservation on the recommended site. If you look at the map screenshot I included on my 10/16 club group FB post, it’s the one on the tip of the smallest island and it’s the biggest and best of the six. I will get all the parking passes/hang tags but you can also pick up your’s at the ranger station which you’ll see coming in.
Our plan is to meet at the Reman Creek Reservation Area
no later than 4pm on Friday the 7th.Eileen (me)
Matt Miller
Jim Moody
Debbie Dyle
Maura Reinhart
Maybe Lynn-
This reply was modified 4 months ago by
Eileen Lenkman.
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This reply was modified 4 months ago by
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November 2, 2025 at 11:38 am #6593
Eileen Lenkman
ParticipantHi everyone
I’ll be watching the weather forecast for Wappapello, Missouri all week. My “no-go” criteria is rain and/or high wind all weekend. Currently, there is a chance of rain Friday morning but overall the temps are slightly improving.
I did forget about the time difference so sunset is now around 5pm. Please plan on getting to the launch pad no later than 3pm so we can be on the island with camp set up and firewood gathered before sundown. If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me
Eileen
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November 4, 2025 at 10:27 am #6598
Eileen Lenkman
ParticipantFriday and Saturday’s forecasted temperatures are looking great but Sunday will be chilly.
I am assuming everyone can be at the Redman Creek Recreation Area by 3pm on Friday but I will be starting a group text soon to confirm.
A tip if you are worried about getting cold overnight: buy hand or foot warmers and put a couple at the foot of your sleeping bag, one at your lower back and one in front. I like the foot warmers because they have adhesive so you can attach them to your clothes. Foot warmers on the arch of your foot between two pairs of socks keeps your feet nice and toasty.
When we get to the campsite on Friday afternoon, besides getting our tents set up, we’ll need to quickly start looking for firewood. There may not be a lot right by the campsite. I’m bringing two fire starter logs and one cord of firewood just in case, but we will need more.
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November 9, 2025 at 4:06 pm #6622
Eileen Lenkman
ParticipantHad a wonderful, beautiful trip and experienced the change from Autumn to Winter with some unexpected rain in the evening (but not before we enjoyed a nice fire for a couple of hours) and then wild winds overnight. The paddle back to the boat ramp was windy with a lot of waves that tested our skills but everyone did okay.
This is definitely a repeat trip for the Spring or Fall.
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