Plum Creek from the water surface

One of the best experiences you can have at Walnut Grove is wading in Plum Creek at the Dugout Site. Make sure you bring along a towel and maybe a change of clothes with you in case of accident. I hadn’t gone wading my first few trips, because I’ve gone wading in creeks around home and not particularly enjoyed it, but Plum Creek is much, much nicer to wade in than any other creek I’ve been in. The bottom is mostly flat. The main channel is rounded sand that feels good on the feet. The first time I went,  if I stood still small fish nibbled at my feet just like Laura’s.

The water is cold so be prepared for that. My first time wading it was just around my ankles. This year it was practically up to my knees and I stepped into one deep hole that was a shockingly quick dip halfway up my thigh. Many people like to go in and wade across the creek to the dugout site. However, the banks right there are steep

Wading in Plum Creek

and muddy. I have seen people have trouble getting up, especially on the dugout side. I prefer to get in and out at the Big Rock where the bank slowly levels into the creek. Last time I could wade from there all the way to the dugout, but this time a fallen tree blocked me, but it was still a nice long wade. It’s an experience I highly recommend and it’s always fun to even watch other people wade, especially the girls in their Laura dresses. So, with apologies to Douglas Adams, grab a towel and climb in the creek.

Sarah S. Uthoff,

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