Wolf Run Lake: New Kayaks Finally Hit the Water

23 May 2015

Lake #31        Wolf Run Lake, Wolf Run State Park, Noble County

My husband and I arrived at Wolf Run Lake in southeastern Ohio eager to try out our new kayaks.

Wolf Run Lake, Junction of Its Two Arms 

We have been using two Future Beach Fusion kayaks that we purchased on sale at Dick’s Sporting Goods for $199 each back in July 2014.  The kayaks are very sturdy and have been out on the water about 50 times. I have no complaints with them and would recommend them to anyone who is just starting to kayak or anyone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money. Ok, so if I like the old kayaks so much then why did I buy new ones? Good question. There is a saying, if you want to love your kayak then never sit in anyone else’s kayak. Or, don’t go to a kayak store and make the mistake of sitting in one. You see where this is going.   

We have an independently owned kayak store not far from our house, Columbus Kayak, 4828 North High Street, Columbus 43214, and my husband and I stopped in to “just” browse. We sat in a couple kayaks and fell in love. We decided to help our children out and buy our own Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gifts. My husband liked the Jackson Ibis the most, while I preferred the Jackson Tupelo. My husband’s Sprite colored Ibis ($799) came with a Thermarest Lumbar Support pillow to go on his seat. After listening to him ooh and aah over how great it was I bought one ($39) for my kayak as well. My tye dyed color Tupelo is more expensive at $899 because it is set up for being able to fish. While I don't plan to do any fishing, I like how the seat of the Tupelo fits me better than the Ibis and the fact that it has 100% dry storage. The biggest change with the new kayaks is comfort. Having raised actual seats with the added lumbar support makes long paddles so much more enjoyable.

Sprite Ibis 

Tye Dyed Tupelo 

Our old kayaks were only 10 feet long. Our new kayaks are 12.5 feet long. The trailer we owned worked great for hauling our old kayaks, not so well for our new ones. On the way home from the kayak store we had one of the new kayaks fall off the trailer. Luckily, I was driving slowly down an alley and no one was behind us. We barely got them home. Apparently, the new kayaks were catching way too much wind extending so far up from the gate. Now, we had two new beautiful kayaks that we couldn’t use until we could figure out a way to safely transport them. After much web searching and deliberation, we decided to cut the back gate off the trailer so that we could lay the kayaks flat. As you probably have guessed, given the title of this blog post, that idea worked. We can safely carry our two new kayaks and our two old kayaks as well now that there is no gate.

220-acre Wolf Run Lake is surrounded by 800 acres of woodlands and rugged hills that make up Wolf Run State Park. Wolf Run is the only state park to have an airfield with a fly-in camping area (20 primitive sites are located on the north side of the lake, within walking distance to the Noble County Airport runway). The park also has camping on the south side of the lake: 71 electric sites, 67 non-electric, and 1 camper cabin. The lake has a 200-foot public swimming beach and a 3.5 mile section of the Buckeye Trail runs along the west side of the lake. Due in part to its location in a remote area of the state, Wolf Run Lake is one of the clearest lakes in the state with visibility of over 6 feet. It is a very pretty, quiet lake with a 10 horsepower limit.

Peaceful Wolf Run Lake

Wolf Run Lake is north of Caldwell, on the east side of I-77, at the junction with Highway 821. The sole boat ramp is located on the south side of the lake, accessible from State Route 215. There are picnic tables and clean pit toilets at the boat launch area, as well as plenty of parking and room for trailers.

Wolf Run Lake Boat Ramp

Pretty Setting for a Picnic Before or After Your Paddle

There Were Some Picnic Tables With Grills

Wolf Run Lake is shaped like a V on a base that has been tilted to the right. The boat ramp is located on the south shore of the right arm of the V. Once I put in, I paddled east past the swimming beach to the end of the right arm.

Heading East Toward Swimming Beach

I usually wear my PFD. I always have it in the kayak with me. If I have any doubts about the weather, if the lake is large, if the lake is unlimited horsepower, then I wear my PFD. On this day, it was a beautiful sunny day with no wind on a small lake with a 10 horsepower limit so I allowed myself the freedom of not wearing my life jacket. There have been lakes that I start out without my PFD on and then put it on while I am out on the water. If I have any concern at all, I wear it.

Warm Day, Calm Water, New Kayak, What Could Be Better? 

Hubby and My Number One Enjoying His New Kayak

Since the new kayaks are "Mother's Day and Father's Day" presents, I decided to name today's baby duck Anna Jarvis. The American incarnation of Mother's Day was created by Anna in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Anna Jarvis denounced the holiday later in her life for its commercialization and tried to get its celebration stopped. Needless to say, I don't think she would approve of my kayak purchases in the name of her holiday. I was going to buy them regardless, using the holidays as an excuse just made me feel a little less guilty for spending the money.

Baby Duck Anna Jarvis

It didn't take long to reach the end of the right arm. After turning around, I paddled about half way west on the arm when I came across a swimming beaver. I wasn't fast enough to snap his picture but I followed him home. After waiting unsuccessfully for the beaver to reappear, I headed north on a finger that runs up to the Noble County Airport. I saw another beaver here and his work successfully prevented me from paddling further.

Far East of Lake

Heading West Away From Boat Ramp

Stalking a Beaver

Heading North Up Finger Toward Airport

Heading North Up Finger 

Beaver Action Brings Me to a Stop

After exiting the northern finger, I headed to the finger on the south side located by the camping area. Then, I paddled southwest to the dam.

South Side Finger By Camp Ground

Heading Southwest Toward Dam 

Paddling West

Wolf Run Lake Dam

It was dinner time and time to start paddling back to the put in so I didn't paddle the western arm of the lake. I plan to come back in the future and check it out.

Heading Northeast Away From Dam

Intersection of the Two Arms of the Lake

Heading East to Put In

I really enjoyed this lake. It was clean, quiet, and clear. During my time on the lake, there were two other kayakers out and two fishermen. There were two groups of people at the beach. The lake and park do not appear to be used much, which makes me like them even more. I will definitely be coming back.

I Could Have Hung Out Here All Day, My Moment of Zen

May all your roads end in water,

Mama Duck Mona