Pigeon River...
I'd only paddled the Pigeon River upstream of the Ontario Dam the one time a couple years ago. The mill pond above the dam is so long, so vast and shapeless, so filled with nothing but winding alleys amid countless lily pads that by the time I got to the actual river I was out of resources. I purposely never went back because I just didn't have the stamina, the patience nor the desire to paddle that sea again. For some unknown reason I elected to open my paddling season at that very spot, so let's take a look.
If only you could find your way to the street sign shown below, you'd be within 100 feet of a small secluded parking lot which features a naturally gentle sloping dirt-and-gravel boat ramp with nothing but birds and bullfrogs all around. You could leave the dreaded mill pond behind and travel through only the eastern tip of it and on into the woodsy areas of the Pigeon River if you could just find this street sign.
It clearly marks the corner of 3-something East and Nothingness.
The mill pond has a variety of wildlife that calls it home even if temporarily during migration periods. It's pretty shallow and you'll kick up some catfish with your canoe or kayak, especially if you shortcut through lily pads. In some places it's so shallow you can beach yourself if your boat draws more than three inches, so keep an eye out for what's below you as well as what's ahead. Since this is not a park, all animals are wild and shy. Paddle quietly and you'll get within eyeshot of a swan or two, great blue herons, mallards, wood ducks, the occasional deer and raccoon, plenty of Canada Geese, muscrats, and, well, a billion catfish.
Maybe you've never heard a swan fly. Their wings make a sound. Not flapping, it's something else. It's the sound of an organic engine beating a steady cadence in time with the motion. The sound disappears into the distance as will this great bird should you get too close to it. Meanwhile, the mill pond was just as I remembered it. The trees in the photo below indicate no ending. You'd need to follow an alley of water on the right side of the picture then be back at the same picture again.
Aye; a calm and watery desert indeed.
The next morning I decided to find the street sign. I get lost every time (both times, that is) that I go to this place and so on this third visit I got lost again. It's a tradition I perform. I wasn't quite as lost as when leaving the area altogether but I was pretty lost all the same. I wouldn't mind asking directions but there's nobody out here. Nobody. I did find the street sign, though, and I never have to return to the mill pond. The next time I go this place, I'll head directly to the little parking area off the county road right by the street sign and put my boat into the water so eagerly in anticipation of what's upstream of the mill pond.
Upstream of this natural ramp is but 1/4-mile of mill pond, then woodsy river and natural debris. By the way, submerged logs are common. You won't see them but you'll feel them. Freak out and you'll dump your boat, your camera, you, and everything else important you have onboard, so pay attention and watch for unusual ripples in the water. Up ahead is the Hanging Tree of Zanzibar (I don't know what else to call it), plenty of incidental islands (see 180-degree panorama at the top of this page), unidentified snorts and massive beast stick-crushing sounds (just slightly above where you can see), at least one woodpecker, and flow.
I didn't make it to Nasby Dam. I could hear it but I couldn't see it; too much flow. The current was so strong that my fastest paddling stroke was the same speed as the water flow. I was paddling a natural treadmill upstream in the middle of the Pigeon River. Unfortunately, although that's the best time to pull over and turn around, that's also the time that you'd be the least likely able to pull over and turn around.
Maybe I'd go back; probably next year. I won't particularly recommend this place, except for catfish fishing, I suppose. It's odd, it's out of the way. There's a better place above the next dam but I'm glad I conquered the Ontario mill pond even if by bypassing it. If you need some 100% wilderness within two hours of Toledo or Indianapolis, this is a good place.
See you next time.
Location:
You're asking ME?
Okay, find your way to downtown Mongo, Indiana, at the corner of County Road 400 North and Route 3. Head west on CR 400 until you see the sign for CR 390 East. You can only turn the one way, so turn that way. Soon (but after the Curtis Creek Fish Hatchery) you'll see the street sign, a bridge, and a wildlife area sign for "Parking Lot B4." That's the place. It's all gravel for miles. Be sure to have good tires.
Amenities, Accomodations, Restaurants, nearby places to visit...
I don't think so.