Wildcat Creek, North Fork: Peters Mill Landing to Davis Ferry

elapsed
time
1Put in at Peters Mill Landing access site. (GPS: 40.2628, -86.4826)
0:00
2Interstate 65 bridge. (GPS: 40.2653, -86.5040)
0:10
3A railroad bridge [update 5/9/04 logjam cleared!] (GPS: 40.2696, -86.5116)
0:40
4An old bridge.
1:00
5State Route 25 bridge. (GPS: 40.2723, -86.5100)
1:05
6Around the bend from the confluence of the Wildcat Creek and Wabash River. (GPS: 40.2827, -86.5146)
1:55
7Looking back upstream at the confluence.
2:00
8The railroad bridge before the takeout at Davis Ferry.
2:10
9The takeout for Davis Ferry on the left. (GPS: 40.2852, -86.5212)
2:15

Trip Report

Water level at 3.37 feet and 338 cubic feet per second per the Lafayette USGS gage on Wildcat Creek and 3.12 feet and 3060 CFS per the Lafayette USGS gage on the Wabash River.

It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon and I brought along my five-year old son, so some of the timings are probably a little off while we chased turtles and herons. As you can imagine, the Wildcat gets wider and deeper as you get closer to the confluence of the Wabash River. The water moves quickly, and the downed trees can create challenging obstacles. Unfortunately, this segment of the creek was badly damaged by floods this summer, and there are trees down everywhere. At this low level, we had to get out and pull the canoe over trees once or twice.

The public access site at Peters Mill Landing has room for about a dozen cars to park and easy access to the creek with a dock to facilitate loading and unloading. On the other side of the creek, you can see some of the hiking trails in Clegg Botanical Gardens. There are a couple dozen houses and even some industry here that take away from what is an otherwise natural setting. But the water is crystal-clear, and some of the best fishing on the creek is in the deep holes in between the riffles and behind felled trees. I paddled over some big catfish.

There is an especially large logjam at the old railroad bridge between I-65 and State Route 25. When the water is higher, you can usually pass it on the left, otherwise it's a short portage around it on a sandbar. [Update 5/9/04 logjam cleared!]

The takeout at Davis Ferry is visible on the left bank downstream of the merge of the Wildcat and Wabash. This is a popular boat ramp for small motorboats and fishing. You'll see three bridges, and the takeout is in between the first and second bridge. The dirt road back to the ramp is very muddy after it rains, so beware of getting your car stuck. There is parking for about fifty cars. This is a fun 7-mile, two-hour paddle that is only ten minutes away from Purdue University.

Trip reported by Michael Witt on 9/21/03.

Photo Gallery

The sign at the entrance to Peters Mill Landing.
Put my feet up and let the boy paddle a while...
The downed trees can become an obstacle course.
The bottom of the creek is either sand or glacial pebbles such as these.
A great blue heron flies along the steep muddy banks of the Wabash.
ere isn't a sign for Davis Ferry, per se, but the Wabash Heritage Trail is clearly marked and shares parking for put-in.

Access Sites

Peters Mill Landing: From I-65, exit at State Route 25 North; turn right on CR 300 N; turn right on CR 400 E; at the stop sign turn right on Eisenhower Road; cross the bridge and immediately turn right, Peters Mill Landing is on the right. Peters Mill Landing is operated by The Wildcat Creek Foundation.
State Route 25: From Peters Mill Landing, exit to the left; turn left on Eisenhower Road and cross the bridge; turn left on CR 400E; turn left on CR 300 N; turn left on SR 25. There is room to park two or three cars along Barton Beach Road, which intersects SR 25 near the bridge. The northeast (downstream/right) parcel of land is owned by The Wildcat Creek Foundation and can be used to access the creek.
Davis Ferry: From Peters Mill Landing, exit to the left; turn right on Eisenhower Road, which crosses over I-65 and turns into CR 350 E; in town, turn right on Greenbush Street; turn right again on State Route 52 (Sagamore Parkway); turn left on Duncan Road; turn sharp left on 9th Street and follow it back out of town; before you reach the bridge over the Wabash River, you will see a gravel road on the left side; this is the entrance to Davis Ferry which is operated by the Tippecanoe County Department of Parks and Recreation.

Copyright 2003, 2004 Michael Witt