ORC to tackle local marshes
Somewhere between the civilized streets of Logan and the rural quiet of Mendon lies something fairly uncharacteristic to the desert landscapes of Utah: Wetlands.
On April 15, the Outdoor Recreation Center will be leading a canoeing trip through this little-known area of Cache Valley.
“The Outdoor Recreation Center has always been doing it, as far as I know,” said Todd Murdock, an employee at the ORC rental shop and organizer of the trip.
The trip costs $10 for students and $13 for the general public. The fee includes canoe rental, life vest and paddle. In addition, the first 12 people to sign up will get their canoes transported by the ORC. Each canoe holds two people, but can hold three and any remaining participants must transport their own rented canoe. Participants must be eighteen or older in order to participate.
In general, the first trip of the year to the wetlands yields few people. Murdock said that as many as eight or nine people usually go on the first time because they think its still winter and haven’t gotten into the mode of being outdoors yet.
“Sometimes it is cold,” Murdock said. “They’re really good wetlands, and it’s very relaxing to go out and explore them, especially to see the many types of waterfowl that the wetlands house.”
Saturday’s excursion is not a one-time opportunity. Three to four additional trips are already planned for the summer. However, no specific dates have been set yet. Last year, about a dozen trips were taken to the wetlands.
The ORC canoeing trip to the marshes is scheduled from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m., but Murdock said the time may vary.
“If everyone’s having a really good time, we stay a little longer, but if it’s cold and rainy or something, we pack it in early.”
Registration for the event is open until 6 p.m. on Friday, April 14.
The trip is perfect for both experts and beginners, Murdock said.
“We don’t do anything technical – we just go out and have a good time. It’s as leisurely as it gets.”
For more information, call the ORC at 797-3264.
-limarc@cc.usu.edu