The passionate hiker

The passionate hiker
Early days in the outdoors

Saturday, July 26, 2014

The RideauTrail: Port Elmsley (11D) to Smiths Falls Dam (12C)

Sat. 26 July:  The Rideau Trail:
Port Elmsley (11D) to Smiths Falls Dam (12C)

Smiths Falls:  Rideau Canal Lock Master
According to the map, this section of trail appeared to involve a lot of road walking, including the streets of the largest town between Kingston and Ottawa.  How could this offer any enjoyment to the hiker?  

This turned out to be the most interesting day so far on the trail.  This section took me from the village of Port Elmsley into Smiths Falls.  When I wasn’t enjoying the challenge of finding the next red arrow in the dense bush, I was admiring views across the waters of the Rideau River, photographing Highland cattle and a sleepy squirrel, and then later admiring the workings of the Rideau Canal locks on a busy section of the canal through the town.  There was always something to keep me busy, in addition to the long walk itself.

At Port Elmsley, the Tay River widens out as it joins Lower Rideau Lake, giving good opportunities for the photographer standing beside the busy highway.  Very soon the trail headed out into the fields and the woods, away from any roads.  It was a little tricky now and then staying on course as the trail threaded through the woodlands and the bush, the tall grasses and the trees giving little sign of the path underfoot.  There were several stiles to cross, each well marked with red arrows, giving assurance that I wasn’t lost.

Finally the trail emerged from the trees into a farmer’s field and onto a gravel road.  The farmer was busy at work on his tractor as I passed through the gate onto the road.  This was the Poonamalie Side Road, straight as an arrow for three kilometres – but never dull.  Farms and homes bordered the lane.  At one point, an arm of the Rideau River came right up to the reeds beside the road.  Here was a small private mooring.  Far out across the grasses and water I could see boats moving along the canal.  Further along the road I passed a sleepy squirrel sitting on a fence, and some Highland cattle watching me with interest as I walked past.  Some horses were grazing in the field opposite.

At the end of Poonamalie Side Road I turned onto busy Highway 43, which I followed into Smiths Falls.  Across the road was a large cemetery.  I wandered along the edge of the newly cut grass to admire the many impressive gravestones and monoliths.  Once in town, I walked down quiet residential streets to the river and canal.  

I wandered beside the river on a pleasant path through a park with colorful flowers and fountains.  A large swimming area had been made beside the river, empty this early in the day, but probably popular on hot summer days.  Expensive boats were moored across the river, with boats arriving from the east through the locks.  Here the Rideau River passed over a weir on its way through town.  The large, modern Combined Lock, built in 1974, dropped the canal by twenty six feet to the river below.  Parallel to this huge lock were the original canal locks, now abandoned and filled with large plant pots to form a pretty water garden.  

I was in no hurry. There was plenty to see.  Boats were moving through the canal, the Combined Lock was emptying a small boat into the river below, and there were people strolling past, enjoying the scene.  Eventually I continued downstream, beside the wide river/canal, on a riverside pathway.  I passed through green parks, until I came to my car, parked in a large convenient parking area above Smiths Falls dam in Long Reach Park.

Not having had enough of canals for one day, I wandered down to the locks at Old Sly’s Road, where I enjoyed watching two expensive boats, one from Quebec, being hoisted up through the two locks and through a rotating bridge, into the river above, on their way to Smiths Falls.  The lock-keepers, young people on a summer job, managed by a more experienced lock-keeper, cranked handles to open and close the gates, while the boaters kept their craft away from the sides of the locks with long poles and ropes.  

I was impressed with Smiths Falls waterfront.  An abandoned hotel sits in prime position below the Combined Lock.  It would be a beautiful place to live, and I hope that someone with imagination will redevelop it one day.

Today’s trip gave me a good taste of the Rideau Canal itself; a perfect combination of hiking trail and canal path.  There will be plenty more opportunities to enjoy the Canal as I continue to explore the Rideau Trail.

Statistics:

Total Distance:                11.8 km (hike)
Height Gain:                    Negligible
Time on Trail:                  3 hrs. 45 mins.
Start Port Elmsley (11D):   8.24 am
P’malie Rd (11E):               9.33 am
Jn. Hwy. 43 (12A):             10.13 am
Smiths Falls Lock (12B):   11.11 am
Smiths Falls Dam (12C):  12.09 pm
Temp:                             +18C to +21C
Weather:           Sun, cloud, warm

Rideau Trail % Completed to Date = 17.4%  (=57.5/330.4 km)


Tay River at Port Elmsley
Diving into the woods, looking out for the red arrows
Several stiles along this section of trail
In the bush
Through an old orchard
Butterfly
Garvins Bay, beside the Poonamalie Side Road
Sleepy squirrel then laid his head on the wire to rest
Highland Cattle
Large cemetery beside Highway 43 approaching Smiths Falls
End of the line - lot of railway lines once passed through Smiths Falls
The trail passes through the town of Smiths Falls
Rideau River
Rideau Canal:  The Combined Lock
Boat dwarfed by the depth of this lock
The original locks are now a water garden
The job of Lock-Keeper was once a prestigious occupation
Rideau Canal looking across to Smiths Falls
Above Smiths Falls Dam - end of today's hike

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

The Rideau Trail: Ferrier Road W (10B+) to Conlon Farm (10D)

Tues. 22 July:  The Rideau Trail:
Ferrier Road W. (10B+) to Conlon Farm (10D)

Wildlife Road
It was going to be a hot day, so I decided on an early start to this hike.  It would be a relatively short leg bringing me back into Perth from the Ferrier Road, where last week’s trip had ended.  With very little change in elevation, the trail was a mix of woodland and road.  The final stretch bordered the small industrial corner of the town, and into Conlon Park.  I continued from there back to the house.

Eventually they may build the section of Ferrier Road currently missing.  In the meantime, the trail has to bypass that route, as it passes through a large swamp.  Diving into the woods, the trail roughly paralleled the road right-of-way, with really no views.  But it was a pleasant stroll through the trees with a clear path to follow and no danger of getting lost.  A couple of signs along the way indicated this trail will be used for a run later this year.

Soon I came out of the woods onto the east leg of Ferrier Road, which I followed up to the junction with the Otty Lake road.   There were fine views through the trees of open fields streaked with purple wildflowers.  At the road junction I turned left then almost immediately right onto Wildlife Road.  Hoping it would live up to its name, I kept my eye out for animals, but saw none.  This section of trail was a simple foot-slog beside the road, thankfully devoid of much traffic. 

Suddenly the trail veered off into a field of high grasses, where I was just tall enough to see where I was going – but not sure of the route.  But I was on track, and soon the trail once more dived into the woods.  Here was the Perth Town Line according to the map.  To my right, thankfully hidden from view, was the town dump.  The disused road wandered through the trees, across an area of bare rock at ground level. 

Now the trail headed across a field to some white tanks heralding Perth’s industrial area, thankfully limited.  From here it was an easy stroll across Highway 10 and down a side road into Conlon Farm park.  A comfy bench was positioned perfectly for the weary Rideau Trail traveler.

My decision to start early had proven to be a good one.  It had felt cool in the woods, but now the temperatures were quickly rising and it would very soon become a hot summer’s day in Perth.  The joy of the Rideau Trail is that there is always the next section to plan (at least for some time yet!).  So now I am already plotting my next hike.

Statistics:

Total Distance:                7.3 km (hike)
Height Gain:                    Negligible
Time on Trail:                  2 hrs. 8 mins.
Start (Ferrier Rd W):       7.33 am
Ferrier Rd E:                    8.03 am
Wildlife Rd exit 10C):       8.30 am
Conlon Farm (10D):        9.19 am
Home:                              9.41 am
Temp:                             +19C to +23C
Weather:           Cloudless, hot day, cool in the woods


My uncomplaining ride disappearing down Ferrier Road W.

The trail plunges into the dark woods
Early morning sunlight shines through the trees

Colourful fungus 
The woodland path is well-signed here
Some sections of tall grasses along this stretch, with tiny frogs underfoot
Purple streak in the field beyond the woods
Country signs in plenty beside Otty Lake Road
My reliable trail pointer



Beautiful countryside
From grassy fields back into the woods
Old plough beside the trail
A taste of industry - the Ultramar bulk storage terminal
Final stretch of trail into Perth crosses Hwy.10 and into Conlon Farm park
Conlon Farm park bench perfectly located for Rideau Trail travelers


Tuesday, July 15, 2014

The Rideau Trail: Narrows Lock Road (09E+) to Ferrier Road W. (10B+)

Mon. 14 July:  The Rideau Trail:
Narrows Lock Road (09E+) to Ferrier Road W. (10B+)

On the Rideau Trail
After the road-slog along Narrows Lock Road and Stanley Road, this section of the Rideau Trail was stunning.  A pretty country lane led into the forest, where I wandered for several kilometres along woodland trails, past some huge trees, across a swamp on a narrow boardwalk, and finally out onto Ferrier Road, a little relieved that I had not got lost in there.

Walking beside Narrows Lock Road is not very exciting.  Luckily there was light traffic, as it was a fast stretch of road.  A horse in a fenced field across the road was surprised by the loud noise of a speeding car and took off across the pasture at a gallop.  I soon turned right onto Stanley Road, a quiet country road serving several isolated homes.  A buzzard circled above, looking for its next meal I suppose.  

After two and three-quarter kilometres along this arrow-straight gravel road, I was glad to reach a junction where I turned right onto McLaren Road.  From this point, the trail was a delight, the whole way to Ferrier Road.  McLaren Road was the prettiest of country lanes, soon leading me into the forest.  The route remained clear, following a wide trail deeper into the trees, past half-hidden swamps.  

Turning left off the road, I now continued on increasingly narrow trails further into the woods.  As always, the red signs kept me on track, although I sensed that this section of the Rideau Trail may see more hikers, perhaps being nearer to Perth – but perhaps due to its natural beauty.  There were lots of wildflowers, colorful fungus growing on logs and in the ground, and squirrels and chipmunks racing across the forest floor.  Holes in trees showed the presence of woodpeckers I assume.

In the deepest woods I passed a hunters cabin, and pieces of shining mica on the trail, suggesting a nearby abandoned mine.  There were a few gigantic trees, some now dead, indicating how the forest might have looked before man arrived.  Luckily the new growth trees still make this a hauntingly beautiful place.

The highlight of this section might well be the narrow creaking boardwalk stretching across a wide swamp.  I surprised a duck and her ducklings, who raced away into the reeds as I came to the edge of the water.  I had to pay attention to my footsteps to avoid a wet tumble into the swamp!

Eventually I clambered over a stile and out into a field, feeling as if I had emerged from a very lonely country.  As on earlier hikes, I had to stay alert for the red signs to avoid getting quickly lost. There was one section of wide trail which curved to the left.  I soon realized that the Rideau Trail had decided to go straight into the forest at that point, and I had to backtrack a little - an example of needing to stay alert.

Coming out onto Ferrier Road, I walked a few hundred metres to my car, at a sign warning that the road was impassable from that point.  I looked forward to walking that next section of trail into Perth in the near future.

Statistics:

Total Distance:                9.2 km (hike)
Height Gain:                    Some small ups & downs
Time on Trail:                  2 hrs. 34 mins.
Start (Narrows Lk Rd):    1.50 pm
Junction L. (10A):            2.49 pm
Swamp boardwalk:         3.57 pm
Ferrier Rd W (10B):        4.18 pm
Car:                                 4.24 pm
Temp:                             +20C
Weather:           Cloud, hazy sun. Occasional breeze


Ferrier Road West:  Turkey buzzard eyeing its next meal...
...a squashed snake on the road
Beside Narrows Lock Road
Horse running from noisy car on Narrows Lock Road at Stanley Road
Stretching my telephoto lens to the limit - above Stanley Road
McLaren Road:  a pretty country lane
Lonely hunters cabin deep in the forest
Footbridge built by the Rideau Trail Assoc., crossing a small stream
Bright green fungus on a fallen tree trunk
Gigantic old tree looking very life-like
Magnificent forest setting
Colorful - but probably poisonous!
Narrow boardwalk across a swamp

On the boardwalk
Another picturesque corner of the Rideau Trail
End of today's journey and start of my next leg into Perth