Easy Paddles

Below are some ideas we published in our June 2020 newsletter.

The ideas that follow are a variety of locations with no shuttle or perhaps short walk or bicycle ride to do the shuttle.

The term "easy" is relative.  As always be prepared and be safe.

No Shuttle Needed Paddling Locations

Start and end at the same location.

New Hamburg above the dam

From William Scott Park, you can paddle about 6 km upstream to the Christner Road Bridge, then turn around and paddle back. You can also start at the parking lot off Wilmot St., closer to the dam, so it adds another kilometre altogether.

There is always lots of water and we have seen some wildlife, including foxes, turkeys, beaver & goats.

This stretch works well for a Moonlight Paddle, because it’s pretty straight up and back.

Location William Scott Park, New Hamburg 

More details on page Nith River - New Hamburg

Royal City Park in Guelph

You can launch your boat either right beside The Boat House where the Speed River comes into the Eramosa, or further downstream of the Eramosa near the pond at the top of the dam. It’s an interesting paddle up the Eramosa and back, under bridges, past the Correctional Centre and industries

Years ago, the Club planted a geo-cache along the way, that has done some traveling over the years.

Location Royal City Park, Guelph 

Riverbluffs Park

Riverbluffs is where the Cambridge Rowing Club is located as well as the start of a pleasant walking and cycling trail to goes up to the RARE property.

You can launch at the dock and paddle upstream for about 3 km., until the current becomes too strong. After paddling back, you can go past the dock and carry on under the Train Bridge, then back again to take out at the dock.

Caution should always be used on and near the water, but in particular around dams.  Do not approach the dam closely.

Location 

Woolwich Reservoir

This beautiful pond can be accessed in the town of Floradale or from the Reid Side Road just north of Elmira. You can paddle up to the dams at both ends, around the pond and in and out of some small channels along the sides. One evening we watched as hot-air balloons were being launched from the side.

When the wind is high, maneuvering can be difficult, especially in a solo canoe. There is a trail that more or less follows the perimeter of the pond and takes about an hour to walk.

Lots of people fish from the dam.

Location Woolwich Reservoir 

Cootes Paradise ( please be cautious if travel restrictions are in place )

Cootes Paradise Marsh is a wetland at the western end of Lake Ontario, on the west side of Hamilton Harbour. It is located in the city of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It is owned and managed by Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG), a charitable organization established in 1941 by the Government of Ontario. The marsh is part of the Cootes Paradise Nature Reserve, with these lands representing 99% of the unaltered lands along the local Lake Ontario shoreline. The site is a National Historic Site, a Nationally Important Bird Area (IBA), and an Important Amphibian and Reptile Area (IMPARA). Cootes Paradise is sometimes also called the Dundas Marsh. – from Wikipedia

You can spend many tranquil hours paddling around the wetland, looking at wildlife and enjoying nature. It is also pleasant to hike in the park.

Location

Put in at Bayfront Park Hamilton boat launch

Paddle along the west edge of Burlington Bay (west edge of Hamilton Harbour).

Contunue up the fishway underneath York Boulevard and Highway 403, portage

across Desjardins Recreation Trail into Cootes Paradise.

Relatively easy shuttle locations ( walk or bicycle even )

Grand River – Cambridge to Paris

This 21 km section of the Grand River is always a favourite, with nice scenery, fun rapids and almost always enough water to make it through without too much wading. It’s perfect for a shuttle by bicycle, as the trail beside it is forested, well maintained and pretty flat. The paddle is easily split up into 2 sections:

Cambridge to Glen Morris (9.5 km) and Glen Morris to Paris (11 km)

with parking at all locations.  Have noted increase in use of parking areas during Covid

Conestogo River – Hawkesville to St. Jacobs

You can launch at the Broadway St. bridge in Hawkesville and do the 12 km rural

paddle to St. Jacobs, with an 8.6 km shuttle to walk or cycle. The river winds

through farmland and you may even see cattle being driven across the river on a

concrete walkway!

Location

Nith River – Several great sections to choose from!

The Nith River is wonderful to paddle because it winds so much and you’ll be delighted by new scenery around every corner!

o The 12 km stretch between New Hamburg and Haysville provides several hours of easy going fun, with only a 6 km road walk (caution a willow fell across the river halfway through this route in the last week of May 2020).

o The paddle from Erb Road to William Scott Park in New Hamburg is 16 km, with only a 7.2 km walk. The paddle from Wellesley to Nafziger Road is 13 km. with only a 7.7 km walk.

Because these are higher up on the river, you should check the levels. During the summer, there needs to have been a good amount of rainfall to make them navigable.

If you have additional suggestions, email wwckcpresident@gmail.com