Rideau Canoe Route 2-72

CANOE ROUTE 2-72

Route: Chaffeys Locks - Opinicon Lake - Hart Lake -
Davis Lock - Sand Lake - Jones Falls
Distance: 97 km
Time: 2 - 3 days
Best Map: Chart 1513 - Sheet 3 and NTS 31 C-9
Online: Regional Map - Canoeing Trip Planner (use BACK button to return)

Start at the lower end of the locks at Chaffeys, travel south through Opinicon Lake past Rabbit and Cow Islands to the island in the mouth of Brooks Bay. This island will be the central point of the first portion of the trip, with side trips radiating from here.

SIDE TRIP 1: Move southwest into Deadlock Bay, and continue up the stream to the portage (about 100 metres) leading into Hart Lake. Follow the shoreline southwest to the creek into Lough- borough Lake. Note: This creek is navigable by canoe only in the early spring when water levels are high.
Another portage in the east side of the lower half of Hart Lake will provide access to Crow Lake. This portage is over a winding path, and may be difficult to traverse.

SIDE TRIP 2: Starting at the island in the mouth of Brooks Bay, travel northwest, around Joes Point, following the shoreline to Darlings Bay. Turn north and follow the shoreline past Telephone Bay. Skycroft, a privately-owned campsite and conservation area can be found in this region.

SIDE TRIP 3: Due north of the island in Brooks Bay, on the mainland, is the Queen's University Biology Station opened in 1944, and used for research studies into fish and plant life.

To continue with the second portion of the trip:

Travel northeast past Eightacre Island, around Price and Green Islands, to Davis Lock.
Portage around the lock (about 10 metres) into Sand Lake. Follow the main channel of the Rideau Waterway (caution - power craft in this area) to the south shore.
Continue along the shoreline behind Birch Island, then into the channel leading to Jones Falls.
At Jones Falls you can see the Horseshoe Darn, an engineering masterpiece constructed in 1831. Another item of historical interest is the old forge, located near the turning basin, where much of the original lock hardware was constructed.
Leaving Jones Falls, travel north following the east shore of Sand Lake past Oliver Point, then bear northwest to the mainland.
A campsite is located on the shoreline behind Birmingham Island.
Return to Davis Lock via the channel between Walnut Island and the mainland, following the west shore. Camping is available at Davis Lock. Return to Chaffeys Lock by travelling up the east side of Opinicon Lake.

This canoe route produced by the:
Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority
1641 Perth Road, Box 160
Glenburnie, Ontario K0H 1S0
Tel: 1-613-546-4228
email: crca@cataraquiregion.on.ca

THE ISSUE OF THIS MAP AND DESCRIPTION DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE USER IS GRANTED PERMISSION TO CAMP, PORTAGE OR OTHERWISE TRESPASS ON PRIVATE LANDS. THIS PERMISSION MUST BE OBTAINED FROM THE LANDOWNER. PLEASE CAMP AT THE RECOGNIZED CAMPSITES AND CARRY OUT YOUR LITTER.

For a paper copy of this route visit the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority website: www.cataraquiregion.on.ca and download the Adobe PDF version of the route (including map) or request a paper copy from the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority (see above).