Family Camping Trip - Cedar Lake, Algonquin Park
August 15 to 22, 2021
On Sunday August 15, four adventurers and a dog set out for a week of backcountry camping in Algonquin Park. We had planned this trip to be easy and relaxing, which would be a great opportunity for families. We would be staying on Cedar Lake, also known as Brent Access Point, which is in the northern part of Algonquin Park. The weather all week was amazing, with basically no rain!
We left the RACCC boathouse shortly after 9am, and stopped for a picnic lunch and 1 km nature walk in Driftwood Provincial Park. Upon arriving at the Brent park office we found out that 26 of the 32 sites had already checked in! We were on the water by 3:30pm as planned, and after a very stressful 3 ½ hour paddle we found a site, ironically a 10 minute paddle across from the put-in. After setting up camp, we enjoyed a yummy prepared chicken and sausage gumbo dinner before a well deserved sleep.
Read more: Family Camping Trip - Cedar Lake, Algonquin Park - August 15 to 22, 2021
Black Donald Lake Trip Report
After a failed attempt on August 6th, we made an exploratory trip to Black Donald Lake, a very large open lake, south of Calabogie, on August 16th. We met at 9:30 am at the Kanata Park N Ride and drove to Black Donald Tent and Trailer Park. The drive was about 90 minutes. We paid $10 to park and launch from the dock about 11 am. The staff at this park went out of their way to be helpful which was appreciated!
We paddled south, looking for crown land campsites as we went. We checked out some islands on the east side of the main part of the lake. We found two campsites on islands about 6 km south from the Black Donald Tent and Trailer Park launch. We believe these are privately owned.
THURSDAY MEECH LAKE PADDLE
By Jane Maxwell
On Thursday, August 5th, four RACCC paddlers – Helena Anderson, Heather Wiggs, Jim Young and Jane Maxwell – headed up to Meech Lake in Gatineau Park for an early evening paddle. Meech Lake is a jewell in the Gatineau Park system which may explain why so many homes and cottages line the lake. But if you head northwest from P12, the boat put-in, you will find a more naturalized, untouched area of the lake which makes for an enjoyable, quick get-away from the city hustle and bustle. These evening paddles have been my retreat into nature for many years. Our destination is a large flatish rock peninsula behind the island which sadly suffered fire damage several years ago. It is still out-of-bounds for paddlers. On this evening the water temperature was perfect – warm but refreshing – so some of us headed out on a swim around the island. Following supper we set out to explore the nearby bay and the one remaining cottage (discreetly hidden in the forest). After a nice chat with one of the owners (whose grandfather had refused to sell to the government in the 1940s), we headed for home enjoying a wonderful, classic Meech Lake sunset. We were keen to sample La Cigale’s outstanding ice cream in Old Chelsea but the long lineup deterred us. Note to paddlers: the NCC advises users that it closes P12 and P13 parking lots at 9 p.m. In reality that is probably pretty closer to 9:30 p.m. but best not to tempt fate. We hope more RACCC members will join us in the future for evening paddles at Meech Lake.
Family Day Trip to Barron Canyon, Algonquin Park
August 2, 2021
We originally planned to go on Sunday, but due to weather we moved it to Monday, and unfortunately a few people weren’t able to join us. After loading up canoes and gear the boat house, the five adventurers (3 adults and 2 kids) were on the road around 7:30am. Just before Arnprior, one of the cars sadly hit a heron, not a great omen. Luckily there was no damage to the car or canoes, so we were able to continue. After a coffee stop in Renfrew, we made our way to the Algonquin Park Sand Lake gate.
Read more: Family Day Trip to Barron Canyon, Algonquin Park - August 2, 2021
Family Day Trip on Big Rideau Lake and Colonel By Island
July 18, 2021
A last minute decision led to a day trip on Big Rideau Lake, with a stop at Colonel By Island. You can learn more about this historic site at https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=10326.
We launched from a public boat launch at MacDonalds Bay just outside of Portland (GPS 44.710855, -76.176201), which was free, had lots of parking and a small dock.
This area has lots of little islands to explore, which is great in a canoe/kayak. We went the southern route around Big Island and made it to Colonel By Island in just over 1 hour of easy paddling.
Read more: Family Day Trip on Big Rideau Lake and Colonel By Island - July 18, 2021
Family Day Trip on Kemptville Creek
July 25, 2021
We thought on Friday we had to cancel this trip due to the risk of thunderstorms, rain and high winds, but luckily the weather changed and we decided to go ahead! After loading up gear at the boat house, we drove south to the Reeve Craig Public Boat Launch, which is on the Rideau River near Rideau River Provincial Park. We had four families in six canoes join us for the day's adventure.
Once on the water we paddled south to Kemptville Creek, but before we could continue, our trip leader had to paddle back to the boat launch and pick up everything they left behind! We then proceeded south along Kemptville Creek, with lots of opportunity to see some wildlife. The creek is narrow at some spots, but thankfully the boats passing slowed down and were respectful.
Read more: Family Day Trip on Kemptville Creek - July 25, 2021
Bon Echo Trip Report July 22-23, 2021
Three club members met at the Silver Lake picnic area before proceeding to Bon Echo Provincial Park on Thursday, July 22nd for an exploratory trip. We unloaded our canoes at the North Beach launch and headed towards the Narrows and Mazinaw Rock on Upper Mazinaw Lake about noon. Mazinaw rock rises about 100 m above the lake. Thousands of years ago, Indigenous people considered this place to be powerful and sacred. We were able to identify many of their pictographs. This rock has about 260 pictographs. We also saw interesting lichen patterns. Mazinaw Lake is quite deep and large. Paddling it requires low winds. The winds rose mid-afternoon so as a result we did not paddle as far along the lake. Sometimes we would paddle airborne on the waves! After exploring Upper Mazinaw Lake we passed through the Narrows to Lower Mazinaw Lake. It was more sheltered from the north wind. We found the Cliff Top Trailhead and the Main Beach areas very crowded so we skipped those. We headed to a campsite near North Beach to set up our tents and eat supper. We spent a little while sitting on the quiet beach and we enjoyed a small fire with some golden marshmallows before heading to bed.
Read more: Bon Echo Provincial Park Trip Report July 22-23, 2021
Lac Ste Marie Day Trip
Tourisme Outaouais site describes Lac Sainte-Marie as "the jewel of the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, nestled among majestic mountains..." The rocky hills bordering the lake and the Gatineau River are not really "mountains", but their cliffs and lush forests are breathtakingly beautiful. In 1928, following the development of the Paugan hydroelectric dam, the old village was flooded and relocated. The flood transformed the lake into a much larger one, very popular with cottagers and boaters.
Barron Canyon: A Beautiful Introduction to Algonquin Park!
Our group of seven (3 canoes and one kayak) met at the Squirrel Rapids parking lot for the start of this day trip on July 5 2021. It was a short paddle until the first and only portage around Cache Rapids which was well groomed and about 400 meters. We continued up this very calm river as the midday sun allowed us to have spectacular views of the 100-meter-high canyon; it was nothing short of breathtaking. Whether it’s the first time you’ve done this trip or the one hundredth, the engraved rustic architecture of this rock is amazing. We stopped for lunch at the powerful Brigham Chute where we could hear the rushing water in the background as we chatted with each other. On the paddle back we stopped over for a quick swim at one of the vacant campsites and one of the members was lucky to catch a nice fish! At the tail end of the trip, we encountered some light rain and we pulled our hoods over our heads and watched the tiny raindrops fall in the calm water as we reached the end point- this moment was magical and great timing!
Family Day Trip on Rideau River - July 11, 2021
A perfect day for paddling!
After loading up on gear at the boathouse for our adventure, we made our way to the Kars Community Centre, a thirty minute drive south of Ottawa. A short paddle brought us to the Rideau River and we headed south. After a snack break in a marsh just outside of Kars, we continued paddling until we arrived at the W.A. Tayler Conservation Area, less than a one hour paddle from Kars.
The W.A. Tayler Conservation Area was a great spot to stop and have a picnic lunch. It has lots of picnic tables, trees for shade, outhouses and a small dock. After lunch some of us waded in the water, a few tried their luck at fishing, and the rest enjoyed the beautiful summer day.
With moderate boat traffic, all five families (ten adults and nine kids) in seven canoes did awesome!
2021 Discounts for RACCC Members
A benefit of being a member of the RACCC is that some retailers and course providers give discounts to club members.
Also, the RA has a number of community partners that represent a wide range of sectors offering benefits to RA members. Click here for more information.
Note that a new listing for Nanook Expeditions has been added on August 6.
Tay Canal to Beveridges Locks
Sunday, June 20 2021 was a perfect day to be on the water and we had an expert leading us on Tay Canal from Perth to Upper Beveridges Locks. Mark S. welcomed a group of old-timers and new members, a nice mix of solo, tandem and kayak paddlers.
The Tay Canal is the portion of the Tay River providing a connection between the town of Perth and the Rideau Canal at Beveridge Bay on Lower Rideau Lake. The canal is 9.8 km in length and is run today by Parks Canada as part of their Rideau Canal operations. It has an interesting history of entrepreneurial ambitions of Perth 19th century residents, who wanted a navigable connection from Perth to the Rideau and somewhat succeeded after two attempts. For a time, the canal from the Beveridges Locks to Perth was known as "Haggart's Ditch" - Wikipedia has a good entry on the topic.
Rideau River - Burritt's to Nicholson (Return)
On Saturday, June 12th, a small group of four Club members. It was a first trip with the Club for Brian F. and Rob B., while Jane M. and Paul H. (trip leader) were experienced members. The weather was nearly perfect, with a small tailwind in the morning coming out of the east. Rob - our consulting meteorologist on the trip - claimed that he had ordered the weather. Few large boats were seen travelling on the water and were greatly outnumbered by canoes and kayaks out to enjoy the day.
We paddled to Lower Nicholson Locks along with a short scenic detour past the Andrewsville Bridge. After a picnic lunch in the shade on the nice lawn of the lock station, we took a hike up to the dam beyond Upper Nicholson Locks and a walk over to see the osprey nest and the scenic views from the bridge. The paddle back was pleasant, with mild breezes helping to help cool us down.
The trip was made complete after our paddle by a side trip to nearby Merrickville for gelato at Stella Luna. This was a wonderful way to re-open the paddling season.
Paul H.