Hi WCA menbers
I am planing a trip to Spanish River around 50 KM with some easy whitewater / portage as required,
this is a classic tripping canoeing river.
A casual trip on the Middle Petawawa [Lake Travers to Lake McManus] from Friday, June 29. to Monday, July 2. The three night-four day trip is a casual one allowing for relaxing times. There may be a possibility for taking a bow paddler for one of our tandems, if anybody is interested.
Outing date changed from Saturday May 12 to Sunday May 13.
When we last paddled the Black last month, the water was high and the water very cold. I'm hoping to get back there when the weather is warmer and the water level more fun, so we can spend the day playing and practicing.
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 a number of 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 wetsuit or drysuit. This is a relaxed day of paddling play & practice on a fun, forgiving stretch of river.
Between Bolton and Weston, where rains brought by Hurricane Hazel washed away 14 homes in October 1954, the Humber River is now carefully flood controlled by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Though this stretch is open and accessible, the two dam projects along its length have successfully reduced the river to mainly a fast flowing stream. Passage requires the highest water levels, but this means several hours of nearly uninterrupted swifts and rock gardens with no actual classified rapids. There are a couple of short portages around the old mill dam, cataract, and diversion project in the original Bolton village. After this there are no other man made obstacles for the duration, and it is 27 kilometres to Kleinburg. Previously this has taken 6 hours, however last year was appropriately described as 'canoe obstacle course' due to the many sweepers, and took 8 hours including an hour on shore for lunch. The GPS track looks like a set of mountain switchbacks, so this will be a great opportunity to practice your turns. I am encouraging everyone to have a saw handy, but hopefully that big flood event in the third week of February washed away a lot, much like the Upper Credit last weekend, where the smaller branches remained at least 2 feet above the water line. Sorry about the late notice. Water levels appear very good for Sunday. The forecast is sunny and a high of 8C. Here is the gauge; station 02HC025
Join us for the almost annual spring paddle/wine and cheese party and find out why reasonably intelligent and mature persons subject themselves to the vicissitudes of spring canoe camping. We paddle from above Aumond Rapids to Griffith, a distance of only 28 km. The pace is leisurely with only Sunday being a full day of paddling and most of it spent on the Snake Rapids section of the river. Lots of time to play, socialize and nibble.Rapids range from Class 1-4 with the ability to portage most and there are 2 portages around waterfalls.Water levels are usually high and cold. In the past we have had rain, sleet and snow...all in the same day so intermediate level paddlers must be dressed and equipped for al eventualities. Limit 6 tandem boats with some priority for new and newish members.
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 a number of 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 wetsuit or drysuit. This is a relaxed day of paddling play & practice on a fun,
forgiving stretch of river.
Just another relaxing summer weekend at Palmer Rapids on the Madawaska River. We stay at local farmer Harold Jessup's campsite right on the river at the rapids. This is an enjoyable weekend for novice or better moving water paddlers. Probably more people have had their first taste of moving water here than in any other spot in Ontario. There are a couple of sets of Class 1-2 rapids almost outside your tent door. I'm happy to give some informal paddling pointers to new river runners. If the water levels are good, more adventurous types might want to get together to take a run down the Lower Madawaska on Sunday.
For families, there's a sandy beach where the kids can play or swim. For those who aren't into paddling, there are restaurants and interesting shops nearby in Wilno and Barry's Bay.
We're going to be there from Friday afternoon to Monday, but you can come & camp or go at any time.
You will need a whitewater canoe with flotation, and a helmet, along with the usual PFD and paddle. Canoes can be rented nearby at Paddler Co-op (see their website www.paddlerco-op.com), or from Madawaska River Rentals (see their website www.MadRiverRentals.ca ), or from Don Adams in Griffith, who will even deliver to Jessup's for a fee (613-333-2240). If renting, tell them you want thigh straps in the canoe. It will make a huge amount of difference to your control.
For those looking to escape camp cookery, try the famous Wilno Tavern: http://www.wilnotavern.com/index.php
The Wilno has a Polish buffet Saturday nights that will fill any hungry paddler. There are also some other good restaurants in Barry's Bay.
This trip is to be part of the Northwest Wilderness Quest by Ontario Parks. See https://www.ontarioparks.com/nwquest for complete information.
We have until October 15, 2019, to do a canoe trip for three or more nights in Quetico, Wabakimi and Woodland Caribou Ontario provincial parks.
Part one - Quetico is now complete. We had a great trip! An article in THE NASTWAGAN was published in the fall of 2017.
Part two - Wabakimi. We are now beginning to plan for a trip in the summer of 2018.
Part three - Woodland Caribou. A trip will be done there in the summer of 2019.
This is part of an ongoing attempt to fulfill 'The Northwest Wilderness Quest' by Ontario Parks. See https://www.ontarioparks.com/nwquest for complete information. We have three years until October 15 2019 to do a canoe trip for three or more nights in Quetico, Wabakimi and Woodland Caribou Ontario provincial parks.
Part one - Quetico is now complete.
Part two - Wabakimi. The planning is now in progress. Gary James headed up Part One and may participate in Part two. At present there is no waiting list as 6 of the 8 paddlers going are already confirmed with me (trip leader - Iori Miller) and others have interest have already been in contact. The choice of route is in progress but will include moving water and maybe some whitewater (no more than class II).
Part three - summer of 2019
This is a WCA trip and membership is required.
Everyone attending will have to agree with the WCA waiver of liability too.
We've had to cancel our annual Moira run twice now due to Old Man Winter's refusal to let go of his frigid grip on us this year. We're going to take one last shot at it on Saturday April 28. Whether we can go or not will be very rainfall dependent. So no promises. To know how things are shaping up, check the Moira River gauge at Foxboro:
https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=02HL001 Paste in this address, click on "I agree" to the disclaimer, and you will see the online gauge readings. If the water level on the left side of the graph is 7.8 m or higher, it will be doable. We should have a good idea by the Wednesday before the trip.
On a spring day, the Moira River north of Belleville provides a fun paddling trip from Lost Channel to Latta.
The river provides a great opportunity for good novice moving water paddlers to move up to an intermediate level river. We'll meet at Chisholm's Mill at 9:30, do a car shuttle, and then warm up the easier lower section down to Latta. The rapids are not difficult; just a fun rollercoaster ride, with some surfing waves along the way. We'll go back to Chisholm's for lunch at the cars, and then do a shuttle to run the more technical and challenging Lost Channel section. We should finish up around 4:00, and then we traditionally hit the nearby Maple Dale Cheese store along the highway for ice cream and cheese. (Real Canucks can buy cheese curds here for homemade poutine.)
Boats should have full flotation, and you will need a wetsuit or drysuit as the water will be cold.
Please note that as at the time of posting the river levels and weather cannot be predicted, the date could be changed if levels are not suitable or the weather is inclement. I like to play, and float along chatting with people. My idea of a fun outing isn't paddling in freezing rain muttering to each other "don't worry, we'll soon be finished if we hurry." So if you sign up, you needn't worry that you are committing to a survival exercise-just a fun day.