Circum Louis

Route Proposed by: Hogan Haake

Overall Fastest Known Paddle: TBD

192 miles

Upcoming attempt: Hogan Haake, 47 years old, of St. Louis, MO; aims to start on 9/12/25. This will be a solo attempt, with support provided by his wife Danelle Haake. He will paddle an Epic V7 Kayak.

Start and End: MacArthur Bridge in St. Louis

Live tracker: MapShare

Pre-attempt notes: Hogan plans to start on Friday 9/12/2025 4pm CST. He writes “I've paddled most of the route and consider the Port of St. Louis the most difficult. There is significant barge traffic there. My goal is to leave from the south end of the Stl. Archfront grounds (which I consider the start of the port of STL). From there, I plan to get to the Meramec and start my long upstream paddle camping along the riverfront late Friday. I'll hope to finish the upstream portion late Saturday or early Sunday. From there its the 10 mile portage (I'll have lots of lights on me and the boat for safety) to Washington, MO. Then its a leisurly paddle back to the arch with a short portage at the chain of rocks.”

Route notes from Hogan: This route is a Circum[navigation] of St. Louis. This route can be started anywhere as long as the participant finishes in the same location they start at. There is 1 portage of approximately 10 miles between Union, MO and Washington, MO. There are other possible portage options that change the distance walking/paddling distance, but this route has the most safety (road shoulder and visibility) for the paddler. It can be paddled clockwise or counter clockwise.

Clockwise (my attempt) starting from the St. Louis Arch riverfront. Downstream on the Mississippi through the port of St. Louis. Upstream on the Meramec River to the Bourbeuse upstream. At Union MO, use the Union Public Fishing Access to get out and walk Highway 50 and 47 approximately 10 miles to Washington, MO. There take the Missouri River downstream to the confluence of the Mississippi. Here, its approximately 2 miles to the Chain of Rocks. This can be paddled in the right conditions but is a recommended portage on river left. Back in the Mississippi, its a short downstream paddle back to the St. Louis arch riverfront where you started.

Mike Clark of Big Muddy adventures is the fist person I'm aware of that has done this route (both directions), but did not record a time. When pressed, he would not say how long it took him to complete as he was also teaching class during the day when not paddling.

About Hogan: 8x MR340 starter 7x finisher with 2 sub 50 hour finishes. I've completed the Texas Water Safari as well.