Trailer Portage from Duluth to St Paul

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irlboater

New member
My girlfriend and I are on America's Great Loop except we are taking a little different route than most. We plan to portage from Duluth to St Paul/ Minneapolis to cruise the Mississippi River down to New Orleans. We need to rent or borrow a trailer for our portage. We have a friend with a truck who is willing to drive us but the trailer that I had lined up fell through.
Does anybody in the area have a trailer they would rent or loan that could haul our 22' C-Dory from Duluth to St Paul? We hope to make our portage on Monday, August 28th. We plan to be in Clinton for the C-Brat gathering on September 7th. We are on our way to Isle Royale this morning and may not have internet service for several days. Thank you, Jonathan and Rosa
 
I'm not located in that area, but I have a suggestion about your launch. The navigable part of the St. Croix is a little closer than St Paul. I've been up the St Croix from its confluence with the Mississippi 30 miles in my 22 C-Dory and it's quite scenic. You'd probably be able to launch somewhere near Stillwater, which is 150 miles by road from Duluth.

However don't discount heading down Lake Michigan to Chicago and the Illinois River, thence to the Mississippi. I've heard horror stories about the 12 miles just below Chicago where the barge tows are assembled, but even with the few delays I had, I still found that section very interesting, watching how those barges are assembled into tows. The Illinois River is very scenic with abundant places to get gas, and marinas for a shower and such.

Also, be sure you're aware that below the confluence with the Ohio River, the Mississippi is rather isolated, with few marinas or gas pumps. The traditional route is up the Ohio to the Tennessee River, and down the Tom Bigbee to Mobile. Even on that route you have to plan carefully, as gas stops are few and far between.
 
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