MISSISSIPPI RIVER
KAYAK and CANOE WATER TRAIL LOOP DESCRIPTION
Use of this route is UNDER YOUR OWN RISK. Neither Adventure Agent nor any of its staff, associates, or otherwise linked entities shall be responsible for any risks, whatsoever. The Participant assumes responsibility and the risk for self and persons joining him/her.
Adventure Agent provides shuttle, instruction, guiding, on-water escort, shadowing, and rental. We're your local paddling connection, and the area's padling specialist.
A good spot to do a flatwater tour in this area is right here near Snow Road. This is convenient to Ottawa, Lanark, Kingston, Lanark, Sharbot Lake and Perth. Now, this would be a loop, sort of, in that you would retrace your tour in a couple of spots. You might call it a figure-of eight tour.
How 'bout starting at the dock, which is visible in this map:
You could park at the dock area and paddle easterly and staying to the right shore for about 3 miles, cross the bouy line. This has also been described as a "log boom", as it is actually square timbers tied together by cable. In a plastic kayak, you can actually find a low log, and with speed, you can slide right over it. Thereafter you arrive at the power dam.
Always be careful near dams. Currents may appear to be very low, but the forces of moving water are not to be underestimated. Dams are hazzardous and potentially fatal areas. The portage trail is marked by Mississippi River Valley Conservation Authority with small, blue triangles.Stay on the upstream side of the gravel "beach" at the dam. Mississippi River Valley Conservation Authority has set and marked this as the takeout for the portage to Dalhousie Lake.
Alternatively you can park the boats near the bouy line at the right shore, and walk to the dam. Take a break.
Options at this point: portage along the gravel road, downhill to Dalhousie Lake, and paddle to it's other end, or begin the return journey, again staying to the right shore. This will bring you back near to the launch, where you can get in your vehicle, or you can carry on along the right shore upstream under a bridge and up through a narrow channel which again has a right shor option to a rapid.
At this point it is scenic, and you will see the Private Property signs. This is the start of the return leg, (or portage uphill to Miller Lake) and you can stay right again, which will bring you to the foot of about eight hundred metres of rapids.
Remaining to the right, you will begin the downstream run through the narrow channel, and again staying right, you will pass around an island and then under the bridge, staying right, you are back at the starting dock.
By staying right you will go through different channels of the river, giving the feeling of a new stretch of river, and this would be the feeling from start to finish.
From the island at Snow Road Station to the dam is about 3 miles, so the whole thing provides you with a paddle of short duration, little risk of big waves or heavy winds, yet the option to quit early.
The shorelines are basically undeveloped, but, contrary to popular assumption, all islands and nearly the entire shoreline is privately owned. Camping is not permitted. Respect any signage.
NOW, GET OUT THERE!
DOWNLOAD A SKETCH MAP of this DAY TRIPPER paddling route, courtesy of Adventure Agent, by clicking here.
At the westerly end of Dalhousie Lake, there is a beach on the water side of the road (Where else, right?) and on the left is a small park area, with a shelter, and a white toilet building up the hill. It's a good place to launch, swim, and picnic. If you cross the bridge over the river, you've gone a wee bit too far.
Do that trip! Get Adventure Agent to help shuttle vehicles and canoes and kayaks.
LINK HERE TO SEE THE:LINK HERE TO SEE THE:
DALHOUSIE LAKE ROUTE
CLYDE RIVER ROUTE
TAY RIVER ROUTE
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