Wildcat Creek, North Fork: Wildcat Park to Peters Mill Landing

elapsed
time
1Put in at Wildcat Park at the confluence of the north and south forks. (GPS: 40.2628, -86.4826)
0:00
2A set of rocks and riffles.
0:20
3A cool bluff.
0:25
4"Jump Rock" (check water level before jumping!)
0:35
5The Eisenhower road bridge. (GPS: 40.2641, -86.4981)
0:45
6Take out at Peters Mill Landing public access site. (GPS: 40.2628, -86.4826)
0:50

Trip Report

Water level at 3.4 feet and 350 cubic feet per second per the Lafayette USGS gage.

This entire trip is only about two miles and can be paddled leisurely in less than an hour. Put in at the confluence of the north and south forks of the creek at Wildcat Park. There is a bathroom, picnic area, and a short hiking trail at the park too. It is also a popular place to fish and swim. There is parking for about fifty cars. The public access to the creek is a short, wide trail with a large, sandy beach.

The bottom of the creek is sand and smooth, glacial rocks for the entire length of the trip. The joining of the two forks means that the water is much faster than upstream. The creek doesn't get much wider; instead it creates channels and many fun riffles and sharp turns to navigate. This trip condenses a wide variety of scenery ranging from wooded hills to rock gardens and sand bars to tall clay bluffs. The bird-watching is excellent with herons, hawks, kingfishers, goldfinches, wood ducks, and geese spotted regularly.

At the end of the trip, you will reach "Jump Rock" where some folks like to stop and swim. Depending on the water level and the shifting of sandbars, it might not be deep enough to jump off the rock. From Jump Rock, you can see the Eisenhower Road bridge and a set of riffles to traverse before you reach the Peters Mill Landing about 100 yards downstream on your left. There is a dock and a few steps going up to the parking lot.

There is quite a bit of development along the second half of this segment as you approach Lafayette, but there are only a handful of buildings visible from the water. Eisenhower Road follows the creek along the tops of the bluffs, and unfortunately you can hear Interstate 65 roar in the background. That said, this is hardly an urban area, and you shouldn't be discouraged from paddling this section of the creek. It has many distinctive features that you won't see elsewhere. It is also very accessible and convenient due to its proximty to the city and interstate. The water level on this segment is reliable and consistent most of the year. It's also fun to float on tubes, which takes about four to six hours.

Trip reported by Michael Witt on 9/19/03.

Photo Gallery

The sign for Wildcat Park.
Trailhead by parking for Wildcat Park public access.
Bird-holes in the side of a bluff.
Some neat floating plants.
A flock of Branta canadensis.
The creek between Wildcat Park and Peters Mill Landing.

Access Sites

Wildcat Park: From I-65, take State Route 25 North; turn right on CR 300 N; turn right on CR 400 E, which turns into Eisenhower Road; Wildcat Park is on the right. Wildcat Park was founded by The Wildcat Creek Foundation and is operated by the Tippecanoe County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Peters Mill Landing: From Wildcat Park, turn left onto Eisenhower Road; turn left at the stop sign and turn right immediately after crossing the bridge; the entrance will be on your right. Peters Mill Landingis operated by The Wildcat Creek Foundation.

Copyright 2003, 2004 Michael Witt