Craig Lake State Park, Champion, Upper Peninsula, Michigan

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by Jennifer Kilbourne

My husband has a fishing kayak. I have a sea kayak. Last August, we both wanted to “get away from it all” and spend a few days enjoying some time on the water as well as some backcountry camping. The classic sea kayak journey through the Apostle Islands wasn’t an option, and fishing at Lighthouse Cove on Lake St. Clair just wasn’t adventurous enough. Solution: a week at Craig Lake State Park in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Craig Lake State Park is possibly the most under-used State Park in Michigan. It is located in the western part of the Upper Peninsula, west of Marquette. Many years ago, the land was amassed by Frederick Miller, of the Miller Brewing Company. A seven-mile logging road off Highway 41 introduced us to the ruggedness of the park. After packing a week’s worth of supplies into the boats, we wheeled them down the 1/5 of a mile track to the lake. And what a lake it was! – 307 acres of bays, inlets, channels and open water. Islands large enough to spend an hour exploring. And rocks of all sizes jutting out of the water in surprising places. There are about nine official camp sites on Craig Lake (camping on the islands is not permitted). Each one has a tent pad or a suitable place to pitch a tent, a thunderbox or basic outhouse, and a fire pit. If you are up for a portage, Crooked Lake and Clair Lake each provide more places to explore and a total of three more official camp sites. The North Country Trail cuts through this park, so some of the sites are accessible to hikers.

Fishing is probably the reason why most people come to Craig Lake State Park. The lakes are Catch and Release. On the weekend, there were some people who came just to fish for the day, so it did get “busy” (maybe a dozen canoes/kayaks on the lake, compared to 4 or 5 during the week). No power boats are allowed. There are two cabins on the lake that are available to rent, as well as a yurt at neighbouring Teddy Lake. And yes, the fishing was excellent.

We camped on a point, about halfway up the lake. Bears are present in the park, so we were very careful to do our cooking and eating at a distance from the tent. We brought a bear keg to store some of our food in, and hung the rest. The lake has enough fetch that strong winds in certain directions can create small white caps. At other times, it was so silent; we thought it had to be the most peaceful place in the world. I did not get bored kayaking on the 307 acre lake. There were so many nooks and crannies and islands to explore. We portaged the fishing kayak over to Crooked Lake one day, but barely explored 20% of it (next time!) The portage to Clair Lake was more than we wanted to tackle, but with a lighter boat (or a stronger back) it would be a very private lake to explore.

It has been said that Craig Lake State Park is like the Boundary Waters, but with fewer people. It is a great destination for anyone who wants to get away for a few days, and do some paddling without having to worry about the weather as much as you do on the Great Lakes. Families with both sea kayaks and canoes (or fishing kayaks) can spend some paddling time together. Day hikes on the North Country Trail or on the trail that circles the lake provide other opportunities for exploring (and seeking out blueberries!) But now that I’ve let you in on our secret destination, you can’t tell anyone else. Promise?

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GLSKA Waiver

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

DEFINITION

In this Release Agreement, the term Sea Kayaking Activities shall include but is not limited to: all activities, events or services provided, arranged, organized, conducted, sponsored or authorized by the Releasees and shall including moving water, still water, lake and ocean kayaking; loan or rental of kayaks (hereinafter "the boats") and other equipment; orientational and instructional courses, seminars and sessions; all travel, transportation, and accommodation; food, beverage including water supply, use of equipment, and multi-day camping or overnight stays in the outdoors.

In this Release Agreement, the term "Negligence" includes the failure by the Releasees to use such care as a reasonably prudent and careful guide, instructor, trip organizer or sea kayaking operator would use under similar circumstances, or breach of any other duty of care imposed by law.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

Participation in Sea Kayaking Activities involves various risks, dangers and hazards including the risk of serious injury, paralysis or death. Sea Kayaking Activities often take place in remote wilderness locations, where assistance, medical and first aid services and evacuation may not be readily available, and communication may be difficult or not possible. The risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered include, but are not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from the departure point; slips and falls while getting into or out of the boats; overturning of the boats; loss of balance; impact or collision with objects; cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia; drowning; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, high wind, high waves, and lightning; encounters with domestic or wild animals; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; negligence on the part of other participants; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES.

Please refer to the GLSKA Risk Management Strategy section of their website for further information regarding the risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered during Sea Kayaking Activities.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in Sea Kayaking Activities as defined in this Release Agreement, I hereby agree as follows:

  1. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I have or may in the future have against the Releasees and TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expenseor injury including death that I may suffer, or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES REFERRED TO ABOVE;
  1. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities;
  2. This Release Agreement shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns and representatives, in the event of my death or incapacity;
  3. This Release Agreement and any rights, duties and obligations as between the parties to this Release Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and no other jurisdiction; and
  4. Any litigation involving the parties to this Release Agreement shall be brought solely within the Province of Ontario and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.

In entering into this Release Agreement I am not relying on any oral or written representations or statements made by the Releasees with respect to the safety of Sea Kayaking Activities, other than what is set forth in this Release Agreement.

I CONFIRM THAT I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT, AND I AM AWARE THAT BY ACCEPTING THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES.