Canoe – Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists

MVFN’s 2008 Summer/Fall Canoeing/Hiking Programme Schedule Dates

The following are the dates for our upcoming canoe trips and walks. We hope you can join us!

For each event, details confirming trips will be e-mailed out by Janet Fytche to all MVFN members a week before and posted at www.mvfn.ca. In case of foul weather, dates are cancelled. For information, contact Cliff at 613-613-798-6295/ .

Sun, June 15- Annual Spring Canoe trip -White Lake -Site 7
Sunday, July 6- canoe trip – Tay River, Bolingbroke to Christie Lake
Sunday, July 20- canoe trip-Park Lake

Sunday, August 10- canoe trip-site to be announced
Sunday, August 24- canoe trip- site to be announced

May 25- Annual Spring MVFN NatureWalk
Sept 12-15-MVFN 3-night Canoe Camp-Killarney Prov. Park
October 5- Annual Autumn MVFN Nature Walk

For directions to our canoe trip sites please refer to MVFNs Lanark County Canoe & Kayak Journeys guide/map or check the canoe journey descriptions posted here on the website.

Canoe Journeys – #28 Upper Tay to Christie Lake

Upper Tay River to Christie Lake

# 28 (Tay Valley Township)

How to get there: Take highway 7 west past Perth to Glen Tay Junction; turn south over the RR tracks to Christie Lake Road. Go West on Christie Lake Road approx. 20 km to Hanna Road. Take Hanna almost to County Rd. 36.

The Launch Site: Small gravel launch site at only place river comes close to the road. Off load canoe and park on roadside lay-by.

The Paddle: Upstream for a km, brings you under a bridge and to head of rapids. Then go downstream into Christie Lake. This whole river, almost devoid of habitation, is very beautiful, with many turns, wetland bays, wildlife. On reaching the lake, take the shoreline with least wind resistance.

Watch for: Remnants of logging era on river bottom. Small island in lake, directly out from mouth of river is great for swimming and picnic.

Seasonal information: Good until freeze-up.

Canoe Journeys – #9 Park Lake

Park Lake

#9 (Lanark Highlands)

How to Get There: From Perth, take County Rd. 511 north through Hopetown 2 kms. to County Rd. 16. From Ottawa, take Hwy 417, to exit for Hwy. 49 through Almonte. Pick up County Rd. 16 to Hopetown at County Rd. 511 and north to County Rd. 16 again. Pass through Poland about 1/4 km, turn south on Umpherson Mills Rd. Take left fork at Umpherson’s sawmill. Turn right at first side road onto smaller but well-maintained road at property number 2571for snowmobile clubs but does not appear on road maps. (Change since publication: The property number 2571 has been removed from this corner).

The Launch Site: Have patience! You eventually come to a launch site on right side of road.

The Paddle: Circumnavigate the lake. Keep track of directions for you can get lost in multitude of bays and passages. Back at launch site, go downstream under culvert (if beavers haven’t plugged it) to small lake with picnic island to left.

Watch For: Most beautiful lake in the region.

Seasonal Information: Good until freeze-up.

Canoe Journeys – #17 Mississippi River from Pakenham Upriver

#17 Mississippi River from Pakenham Upriver

How to Get There: North from Almonte on Hwy. 29 to Pakenham, or from Ottawa, north on Hwy. 417 to Kinburn Side Rd. and west to Pakenham and over Five Span Stone Bridge.
The Launch Site: In Pakenham, find park behind public school. Launch at swimming beach.

The Paddle: Upriver to foot of Blakeney Falls.

Watch For: Beautiful shorelines, herons and other birds. Indian Creek through tunnel under roadway, shoreline wild flowers. Lunch site at Falls.

Seasonal Information: Good until freeze-up. WARNING: Don’t get swept downstream from this launch site during spring flood.

Canoe Journeys – #5 Joe’s Lake

Joe’s Lake

#5 (Lanark Highlands)

How to Get There: North of Hopetown on County Rd. 511 to French Line at Brightside. Go westerly on French Line and Lavant Darling Rd. to Joe’s Lake, 15 km. Turn right on Flower Station Rd. just before the bridge.The Launch Site: Small park across from derelict ball diamond and huge gravel bank.

The Paddle: Bear left, follow shore and you eventually reach a wetland channel leading into the Clyde River. Follow channel about 500 m to dam and picnic site.

Watch For: Bluebirds as you approach lake and bitterns in reeded wetland.

Seasonal Information: Good until freeze-up.