NATHAN INVINCIBLE

I'd heard good things about the Middle Branch Ontonagon River from Bond Falls to Agate Falls and decided to give it a go in May 2025 when water levels were still fairly high after the spring melt. I was not disappointed! This 10 mile or so run has plenty of Class I-II rapids to keep you busy and plenty of scenery to help the miles fly by.

I put in right under Bond Falls, hauling my kayak down the boardwalks and cruising under the bridge in front of a few curious onlookers. The action begins right away so you better be ready! The rapids continue on and off for quite a while with small breaks in between.

A little after the halfway point in the run is a notable location called Tanglewood. Bet ya can't guess what that's all about! In case you need a hint, it's a MASSIVE log jam at the slowest point in the river. It's almost impenetrable. I snuck through some tiny gaps using my Misery Paddle Tour skills, but if you want to get by in a canoe or bigger kayak you may be in for a treat.

Below Tanglewood the river picks up speed again and provides you with a few more miles of top-tier Class-II+ rapids. I wish I could've gotten some photos because the gorge it runs through was very beautiful, full of old growth hemlocks, cedars, and white pines along the riverbanks. You'll have to be on your toes though because you'll rapidly come up on the take-out on your right. Miss it and you'll accidentally get pulled a little too close to Agate Falls, which would not be a fun time in the slightest. Make sure to scope your exit BEFORE you begin, because it's tough to spot. I biked 9 miles back to my truck along quiet country roads for a simple self-shuttle.

Of note for explorers of abandoned places like myself are about a dozen old camps that can be found along this stretch of river. These old camps were once permitted through leases managed by UPPCO when they owned the land. After the Ottawa National Forest took ownership of the land, they let the leases run out and then kicked everyone out. Eventually they'll tear the cabins down, but for now they're either an eyesore or a piece of UP history depending on your enchantment with run down old buildings.