Staff photo by Fritz Busch Pat Schumacher, left of New Ulm, paddles his Pack Raft in the RCRCA Annual Canoe Trip on the Cottonwood River Thursday. Seventy-four people registered for the event but 48 paddled canoes and kayaks from the canoe access south of Essig to Flandrau State Park.

BROWN COUNTY — Forty-eight people got a close-up view of nature as they paddled canoes and kayaks down the winding Cottonwood River from the canoe access south of Essig to Flandrau State Park Thursday.

After brief, heavy rain early on the trip, people paddled past a number of eroding river banks that were greater than 50 feet high at times. Exposed tree roots loomed over soil that was largely clay. Large rocks in the river created rapids of sorts at times.

Hosted by the RCRCA (Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area), the free, annual canoe trip offers participants canoes or kayaks and food and drink for the route that takes several hours to complete.

Wildlife spotted along the way included a bald eagle, beaver and many song birds.

“We live in the country, but we found this beautiful every time we do it. We saw an eagle high in a tree,” said Dale Hansen of Morgan.

“I loved it. Beautiful scenery. We’d do it again,” said Karen Hansen.

Shawn Wohnoutka, RCRCA watershed technician, said the Cottonwood River was moving too fast last June so the trip was cancelled.

“This year, conditions were about perfect,” Wohnoutka said. “If the water is too high, it’s hard to find the designated place to get off the river. If it’s too low, we get hung up on sandbars. We’ve had as many as 70 people on the Cottonwood River float. If people missed it this year, we encourage them to do it next year.”

The RCRCA Redwood River trip begins at Perk’s Park on Lake Redwood. Participants ride a bus to the starting point, where the Redwood River crosses County Road 6, and canoe to Lake Redwood in Redwood Falls. The trips are scheduled pending appropriate river and weather conditions.

Participants may print, sign and bring a liability form with them to the event or sign a form at the event. Those under age 18 must have a parent or guardian sign on their waiver and should bring them to the event, unless a parent or guardian will be present to sign a waiver prior to the start of the trip.

The RCRCA has four canoes and three kayaks available for rent to explore the Cottonwood and Redwood River watersheds. Rental fees are $10 a day for canoes including two paddles and life jackets. Kayaks are $5 a day including a paddle and life jacket.

The RCRCA works to improve water quality, reduce erosion and enhance recreational opportunities with education, outreach, monitoring and technical assistance in watershed boundaries. For more information, visit www.rcrca.com/.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.