Whitewater

Lower Credit River--Changed to Washago Black River

Due to low water levels this season, we will have to cancel this outing on the Lower Credit.

As an alternative, we will go to the Washago Black River.

Last minute registrations are invited.

Note that this trip is suitable for experienced novices or better as long as you have a wetuit/drysuit as the water is very cold.

For details of the trip, see my description on my May 4th posting for the Black.

https://wildernesscanoe.ca/node/2985   Paste into browser address if link doesn't work.

We meet at 11:00 at the bridge over the river.

 

 

The Basics
Event Location: 
Black River near Washago
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, March 30, 2024 - 11:00
Event Duration: 
1 day
Difficulty Rating: 
Novice
Itinerary
Required Items to Bring: 

The following are mandatory. Whitewater canoe or kayak. Wetsuit or drysuit. Airbags for canoe. If you show up without a suitable boat or cold water/weather protective clothing, you cannot join us.

Recommended Items to Bring: 

For lunch, a thermos is recommended as weather can be cool. We will eat lunch on the river.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

Please see itinerary description above.

Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Bill Ness
Phone: 
555-123-4567
Email: 

Black River at Washago--Full

The Black River empties into Lake Simcoe south of Washago. There is a fun short section from the HWY 169 bridge crossing to the next concession road crossing to the west where the river loops around through many small rapids separated by flat sections. The section ends with an optional more challenging technical chute, followed by a Class 2 rollercoaster ride. This is an ideal spot for budding moving water paddlers to get some experience, and practice ferries and eddy turns. I'm happy do give informal pointers, and we're in no rush. The section of river is short enough that if you get cold or wet, you can quickly paddle out. However, if you want to work the section, you can play all afternoon. As a bonus, we meet at 11:00 so you don't have to haul yourself out of bed early to get there. We'll also finish around 3:00, so plenty of time to get back to the family dinner. Bring a lunch and we'll eat on the river. As the water will still be cold, you will need a dry suit or wet suit. This is a relaxed day of paddling play & practice on a fun, forgiving stretch of river.

 

The Basics
Event Location: 
Black River South of Washago
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, May 4, 2024 - 11:00
Event Duration: 
1 day
Difficulty Rating: 
Novice
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
Anyone wanting an easy, relaxed day on the river, especially new moving water paddlers who want to get some good practice.
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

Please see description above.

Required Items to Bring: 

Whitewater boat with air bag flotation. Drysuit or wetsuit. Bring a lunch in your boat as we will stop to eat on the river.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

Those coming from the eastern GTA will take HWY 48 north to HWY 12. Then north on 12 to just past the village of Brechin, where you exit right onto HWY 169. Follow HWY 169 north for about 10 minutes to where the Black River goes under the highway.
Those coming from the western GTA will go north on HWY 400 to Barrie, and then continue north on HWY 11 to the exit for Washago at the north end of Lake Couchiching. Exit right onto HWY 169 and follow it south to the river.
For a signpost, look for Black River Wilderness Park on the west side of the highway. The park is just north of the river.
We put in on the northwest side of the bridge across the Black. Then, we do a quick 5 minute car shuttle to the bridge at the first concession road to the west.

Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Bill Ness
Phone: 
555-123-4567
Email: 

Lower Madawaska Day Trip - 9 June 2024 (REGISTRATION CLOSED)

Day trip down the Lower Madawaska River from Aumond Bay to Buck Bay. This is a beautiful section of the river, with mostly Cl II rapids, suitable for novice-intermediate paddlers.
Water will be high and cold; Wet/Drysuit highly recommended. Should take about 4-5 hours

Put In:
From Quadeville, travel South on Hyland Creek Rd. approx. 15km on gravel and look for the Aumond Bay sign on a minor road on the right. The road has a civic address of 4001 Hyland Creek Rd. Continue 1 km to a small parking area.
Take Out:
Travel South on Hyland Creek Rd. for 13km to the Buck Bay sign. The civic address is 2859 Hyland Creek Rd. Continue 1km to a parking area. Walk around the gate and 400m down to the water so you can identify the take out from river level.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Aumond Bay, Madawaska River: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z6kjqRv2rR8TCChy6
Date(s) & Time: 
Sunday, June 9, 2024 - 10:30
Event Duration: 
5 Hours
Difficulty Rating: 
Novice
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
Anyone with strong novice paddling skills and above.
Maximum Group Size: 
12
Minimum Group Size: 
4
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

Arrive at location and prep boats. Shuttle vehicles to Buck Bay. Paddle, lunch, paddle. Take out at Buck Bay.

Required Items to Bring: 

Wet/Drysuit, helmet, PFD, paddles, whitewater boat with outfitting and floats, closed toed shoes, safety equipment.

Recommended Items to Bring: 

Lunch, water, warm clothes, sense of adventure, positive attitude.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z6kjqRv2rR8TCChy6
Put In:
From Quadeville, travel South on Hyland Creek Rd. approx. 15km on gravel and look for the Aumond Bay sign on a minor road on the right. The road has a civic address of 4001 Hyland Creek Rd. Continue 1 km to a small parking area.

Other
Cancellation Policy: 
Please let me know if you cannot make it, so that we do not wait around for you.
Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Joe Tobin
Phone: 
6136181437

Lower Madawaska Day Trip - 8 June 2024 (REGISTRATION CLOSED)

Day trip down the Lower Madawaska River from Aumond Bay to Buck Bay. This is a beautiful section of the river, with mostly Cl II rapids, suitable for novice-intermediate paddlers.
Water will be high and cold; Wet/Drysuit highly recommended. Should take about 4-5 hours

Put In:
From Quadeville, travel South on Hyland Creek Rd. approx. 15km on gravel and look for the Aumond Bay sign on a minor road on the right. The road has a civic address of 4001 Hyland Creek Rd. Continue 1 km to a small parking area.
Take Out:
Travel South on Hyland Creek Rd. for 13km to the Buck Bay sign. The civic address is 2859 Hyland Creek Rd. Continue 1km to a parking area. Walk around the gate and 400m down to the water so you can identify the take out from river level.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Aumond Bay, Madawaska River: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z6kjqRv2rR8TCChy6
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, June 8, 2024 - 10:30
Event Duration: 
5 Hours
Difficulty Rating: 
Novice
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
Anyone with strong novice paddling skills and above.
Maximum Group Size: 
12
Minimum Group Size: 
4
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

Arrive at location and prep boats. Shuttle vehicles to Buck Bay. Paddle, lunch, paddle. Take out at Buck Bay.

Required Items to Bring: 

Wet/Drysuit, helmet, PFD, paddles, whitewater boat with outfitting and floats, closed toed shoes, safety equipment.

Recommended Items to Bring: 

Lunch, water, warm clothes, sense of adventure, positive attitude.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z6kjqRv2rR8TCChy6
Put In:
From Quadeville, travel South on Hyland Creek Rd. approx. 15km on gravel and look for the Aumond Bay sign on a minor road on the right. The road has a civic address of 4001 Hyland Creek Rd. Continue 1 km to a small parking area.

Carpool Info: 

I’m coming from Renfrew, so happy to help out anyone along the way. If you need a ride and/or have capacity to carpool, please let me know and I will try to facilitate once people sign up.
Shuttles to/from take out will be arranged on the ground.

Other
Cancellation Policy: 
Please let me know if you cannot make it, so that we do not wait around for you.
Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Joe Tobin
Phone: 
6136181437

Dumoine River (Lac Benoit) - 29 June to 5 July 2024 (FULL)

The Dumoine River is a classic intermediate whitewater trip. Running 62km from Lac Benoit to the Ottawa River, the river offers great scenery, good fishing opportunities, and a nearly endless supply of Cl I-III runnable rapids with only a handful of mandatory portages.
We will access the river by shuttle (details, pricing to follow), and make our way downriver at a leisurely pace with plenty of time to take in the scenery, spend some time playing in select rapids, and otherwise enjoy what the river has to offer.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Dumoine River
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, June 29, 2024 - 15:00
Event Duration: 
5 days on the water
Difficulty Rating: 
Intermediate
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
Intermediate paddlers
Maximum Group Size: 
5 boats
Minimum Group Size: 
3 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

Tentative Itinerary to give you an idea. We will be flexible and can adjust as necessary.

29 June (Sat): Meet group at Driftwood Provincial Park. Equipment check.
30 June (Sun): Shuttle to Lac Benoit. Warm up runs near bridge rapids / put in. Camp Lac Benoit
1 July (Mon): Paddle / Camp Little Steel Falls
2 July (Tues): Paddle / Camp Margaret Spry
3 July (Wed): Paddle / Camp Grande Chute
4 July (Thurs): Paddle / Camp Patent Chute
5 July (Fri): Buffer day / hike Bald Eagle Cliff / paddle to take out

Food / specific equipment to be organized separately

Required Items to Bring: 

Whitewater tripping canoe, camping gear, unpin kits.
Riviere Dumoine Paddler's Guide

Recommended Items to Bring: 

==> Bug head net, shirt, pants.
All other details to be arranged separately.

How to Get There
Carpool Info: 

Please let me know where you're coming from, if you're interested in carpooling.

Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Joe Tobin
Phone: 
613-618-1437

(REGISTRATION FULL) Lower Madawaska Day Trip - 11 May 2024

Early spring day trip down the Lower Madawaska River from Aumond Bay to Buck Bay. This is a beautiful section of the river, with mostly Cl II rapids, suitable for novice-intermediate paddlers.
Water will be high and cold; Wet/Drysuit a must. Should take about 4-5 hours

Put In:
From Quadeville, travel South on Hyland Creek Rd. approx. 15km on gravel and look for the Aumond Bay sign on a minor road on the right. The road has a civic address of 4001 Hyland Creek Rd. Continue 1 km to a small parking area.
Take Out:
Travel South on Hyland Creek Rd. for 13km to the Buck Bay sign. The civic address is 2859 Hyland Creek Rd. Continue 1km to a parking area. Walk around the gate and 400m down to the water so you can identify the take out from river level.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Aumond Bay, Madawaska River: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z6kjqRv2rR8TCChy6
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, May 11, 2024 - 10:30
Registration Cut Off: 
05/11/2024
Event Duration: 
5 Hours
Difficulty Rating: 
Novice
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
Anyone with strong novice paddling skills and above.
Maximum Group Size: 
12
Minimum Group Size: 
4
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

Arrive at location and prep boats. Shuttle vehicles to Buck Bay. Paddle, lunch, paddle. Take out at Buck Bay.

Required Items to Bring: 

Wet/Drysuit, helmet, PFD, paddles, whitewater boat with outfitting and floats, closed toed shoes, safety equipment.

Recommended Items to Bring: 

Lunch, water, warm clothes, sense of adventure, positive attitude.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z6kjqRv2rR8TCChy6
Put In:
From Quadeville, travel South on Hyland Creek Rd. approx. 15km on gravel and look for the Aumond Bay sign on a minor road on the right. The road has a civic address of 4001 Hyland Creek Rd. Continue 1 km to a small parking area.

Carpool Info: 

I’m coming from Renfrew, so happy to help out anyone along the way. If you need a ride and/or have capacity to carpool, please let me know and I will try to facilitate once people sign up.
Shuttles to/from take out will be arranged on the ground.

Other
Cancellation Policy: 
Please let me know if you cannot make it, so that we do not wait around for you.
Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Joe Tobin
Phone: 
6136181437

CANCELLED -The Upper Credit River - Inglewood to Glen Williams

Join us for an early spring run (water levels permitting) on the Credit from Inglewood to Glen Williams. Suitable for novices but some competence in moving water is helpful.There are two weirs we must pull over, two other obstacles which generally can be run and possible sweepers to be navigated. A potluck dinner will follow at the home of Rick Sabourin in Erin.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Credit River....bridge at Inglewood....details will be emailed
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, April 13, 2024 - 09:30
Registration Cut Off: 
April 6, 2024
Event Duration: 
full day
Difficulty Rating: 
Beginner
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
all WCA members
Maximum Group Size: 
10 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

all boats unloaded and cars ready to shuttle by 9:30 a.m. Begin paddle by 11 a.m. There will be a lunch stop on the river, so bring your lunch with you. We should be finished between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. and then we will head to a home in the area for a post paddle potluck. Further info will be emailed to all participants.

Required Items to Bring: 

boat, paddles, PFD, lunch, change of clothes in waterproof bag. If you don't have a boat or a partner we may be able to find one for you.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

Inglewood is close to Hwy 10 and Olde Baseline Road north of Brampton. We will provide more detail by email.

Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Barb & Dave Young
Phone: 
9054577937

Spring run on the Nith (Full)

Paddling from Canning to Paris. WIll be monitoring the flow to ensure there is adequate water levels for the trip. 15 kms, with the last 3 kms or so having some Class 1-2 rapids. Penman's Pass could be a class 2.5 depending on the water levels. Usually takes 3 to 4 hours. Back up day the 21, or possible the weekend after depending on flow levels. Take out will be Lions Park

The Basics
Event Location: 
Canning Road. 43.19632300, -80.46862300
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 09:00
Registration Cut Off: 
April 13, 2024
Event Duration: 
5
Difficulty Rating: 
Novice
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
Anyone who would like to join, whitewater experience is preferred
Minimum Group Size: 
1
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

Arrive at location, get boats ready, shuttle cars to Paris. Paddle and take a lunch break before the rapids. Then arrive at Paris Lions Park.

Required Items to Bring: 

Whitewater boats, float bags, safety equipment, lifejackets, dry suits, paddles

Recommended Items to Bring: 

Water, Sunscreen, lunch, snacks. positive attitude. Dress for weather

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

Meet at side of road in Canning. GPS coordinates 43.19632300, -80.46862300.

Carpool Info: 

TBD

Other
Cancellation Policy: 
Let me know if you can't make it after signing up so we don't wait around for you
Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Nathan Pray
Phone: 
5194101589

Creeking on Toronto's Rouge River

Last year we were finally able to take a trip down Toronto's Humber River. This year the challenge will be a day outing from Milne Dam Conservation Park to Lake Ontario at the Rouge National Urban Park.

So we will be passing through a golf course, the Toronto Zoo, and Canada's only National Urban Park.

The Rouge is not very reliable, and only barely navigable. Here is the guage Near Markham: 02HC022

Real-Time Hydrometric Data Graph for ROUGE RIVER NEAR MARKHAM (02HC022) [ON] - Water Level and Flow - Environment Canada (ec.gc.ca)

The ideal conditions are to paddle the day after a rain storm. Therefore this outing is scheduled on a Saturday with the expectation of post-poning to Sunday, or another weekend if necessary. 6 cubic meters per second looks like a good level.

I suggest meeting at the Rouge National Urban Park parking lot near the intersection of Lawrence Avenue East and Rouge Hills Drive. Then we will shuttle to the Milne Dam Conservation Park main parking lot. We will have to portage to below the dam. There are no other man-made obstacles, however, low water may neccessitate wading.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Rouge National Urban Park, near Markham
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, March 30, 2024 - 08:00
Registration Cut Off: 
Wednesday the 27th of March.
Event Duration: 
The entire day
Difficulty Rating: 
Intermediate
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
Experience necessary
Maximum Group Size: 
8 boats
Minimum Group Size: 
2 Tandems minimum
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

We will meet at the take-out: the Rouge National Urban Park parking lot near the intersection of Lawrence Avenue East and Rouge Hills Drive for 8am. Then we will shuttle to the Milne Dam Conservation Park main parking lot, at 8251 McCowan Road, Markham, L3P 3J3.

It may take from 6 to 8 hours to reach Lake Ontario.

Required Items to Bring: 

Outfitted canoes. Wet or dry suit. Barrels. A bag lunch. Shoes for wading. Rescue kits. Adventurous spirit!

Recommended Items to Bring: 

Rain gear just in case. Spare clothing. It's April, it could be warm and sunny, it could be cold and raining.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

195 Rouge Hills Drive, Scarborough

Carpool Info: 

I have a side-by-side tandem roof rack.

Other
Cancellation Policy: 
Please don't
Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Matthew Eberly
Phone: 
4167008815

Upper Head River Spring Run CANCELLED

Unfortunately, with the spring that we are having, the Head will not be viable for a decent run. I would reschedule another river but this weekend I am now on a full trip (that I thought would be happening in May but with water levels being what they are is happening in April) that I need to take in order to get ready for a summer trip. I hope everybody can find something fun to do!!

The Basics
Event Location: 
Meeting place - Head Lake (just west of Norland)
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 10:00
Registration Cut Off: 
April 19th 2024
Event Duration: 
1 Day
Difficulty Rating: 
Intermediate
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
WCA intermediate paddlers
Maximum Group Size: 
6 boats
Minimum Group Size: 
2 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

We will meet at 10am at Head Lake. Drop off boats and gear. Shuttle cars to Monck Road take out point. Paddle the approx 18 km of Upper Head river.

Required Items to Bring: 

Dry suit, helmet, throw bag, plastic boat.

Recommended Items to Bring: 

Thermos, lunch, extra layer.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

Put in: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/44.31872,-78.3286272/44.7575618,-78.9246744/@44.7296215,-78.991125,11z/data=!4m4!4m3!1m1!4e1!1m0?entry=ttu

Take out:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/44.31872,-78.3286272/44.7526303,-78.9914509/@44.7529558,-78.9814041,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!4m3!1m1!4e1!1m0?entry=ttu

Carpool Info: 

Contact Organizer

Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Brendan Elliott
Phone: 
7057680335
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