Canoeing the Petawawa River
Chris Dambrowitz
I'm in the early stages of planning a 4-6 day canoe/camping trip
down the Petawawa River in Canada's Algonquin Park for this coming July.
We plan to start the trip at Brent (or Cedar Lake) and to continue down
the river for the 70-odd miles to the town of Petawawa on the Ottawa
River. If anyone out there has _ANY_ information to offer about this trip
(ie personal experiences, second-hand news, rumours, wives'tales,
eulogies, etc.), please email me at: cdam...@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca
As we will be using open canoes, we will be portaging anything more
intense than Class III rapids. The experience level of the people
involved (the list has yet to be finalized) is Level 4 (ie can handle at
least Class III rapids) for the most part, with one possible Level 3 (ie
should be able to bow for Class III rapids, but should not be in the
stern). Our experience with wilderness camping is good, and our fitness
levels are very good to excellent. Any anecdotes would also be most
welcome!
Thanks guys!
Chris Dambrowitz
Donald Haines
You will not continue down the river to the town of Petawawa on the Ottawa
River. You will take out at McManus lake at the Eastern Edge of Algonquin
park. As soon as you leave the park you enter CFB Petawawa. This area is
restricted to military use only. You do not want to "sneak" through because
this is a live fireing range and I don't mean rifles.
Many is the night that I have spent in the eastern end of the park listening
to the explosions. You do not want to canoe through the range. If you do, you
will have to deal with the M.P.`s.
Don Haines
Mark Lanza
>Hi folks!
> I'm in the early stages of planning a 4-6 day canoe/camping trip
>down the Petawawa River in Canada's Algonquin Park for this coming July.
>We plan to start the trip at Brent (or Cedar Lake) and to continue down
>the river for the 70-odd miles to the town of Petawawa on the Ottawa
>River. If anyone out there has _ANY_ information to offer about this trip
>(ie personal experiences, second-hand news, rumours, wives'tales,
>eulogies, etc.), please email me at: cdam...@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca
>As we will be using open canoes, we will be portaging anything more
>intense than Class III rapids. The experience level of the people
>involved (the list has yet to be finalized) is Level 4 (ie can handle at
>least Class III rapids) for the most part, with one possible Level 3 (ie
>should be able to bow for Class III rapids, but should not be in the
>stern). Our experience with wilderness camping is good, and our fitness
>levels are very good to excellent. Any anecdotes would also be most
>welcome!
Well, I've paddled the Petawawa a couple of times, but never S/E from
Brent. I do have a couple of comments - this past fall I did a solo
starting at Brent, up the Nippissing to Burntroot Lake then down the
Pet back to Brent.
I know it's not on your itinierary this time, but if you ever visit
Burntroot, don't miss the "Alligator".
Be aware that the road down from Hwy 17 is going to take you a long
time to travel. Most of it is windy rocky gravel road. When I got to
the ranger station I thought I was nearly there - oops, nearly two
more hours yet... I'm kinda out of practice at running the Canadian
washboards, though, and my 3/4 ton pickup doesn't ever seem to find
the good speed.
Be prepared for minor delays - when I went in I had to wait about 20
minutes while they dozed off a blasted stretch. On the way out I
found a VERY large dump truck accross the road and stuck. He finally
got out once he found a big enough log to jam under the middle wheels.
The parts of the Pet I have travelled are spectacular and absolutely
worth the trip. This is serious moose country.
Another minor irritant I should prepare you for: railroad noise.
According to the map, you'll be travelling along the tracks for the
first third or so of your trip throught the Algonquin Park. I once
travelled the stretch from Kioshkokwi L to Cedar L with a buddy, as
part of a nice long trip. The first thing we did after embarcation
was to paddle under a little RR overpass while a train thundered over.
OK, I thinks: once we get past this we'll be into the wilderness
quiet. Well, no. The RR sound really carries at night.
Juxtaposed against the RR sounds - during the long silences between
trains, I was treated to the eerie sound of wolves howling in the
distance, accompanied by a yipping babble that I've heard the coyotes
make in Arizona. My uncle in Orillia claims there are coyotes up
there, but he's been known to stretch the truth :) If anybody'd
care to comment on the yippers, I'd appreciate it.
You know, I love the Algonquin and the Pet is gorgeous, so I really
don't want to set anything like a negative tone. Make the trip, it's
absolutely worth it. I make a 7000 mile loop in my 5th wheel every
couple of years, and the Algonquin is the high point both in latitude
and in my heart.
But beware of friendly foxes - it is distemper (or rabies) that makes
them friendly, not tourist food.
The Algonquin map/brochure is a must, IMO, and available for a few
bucks from:
The Friends of Algonquin Park
Box 248
Whitney, Ontario K0J 2M0
email me if you like, I'm
Mark the zo...@a.crl.com
JAMES MCBEATH
>
> Hi folks!
>
> I'm in the early stages of planning a 4-6 day canoe/camping trip
> down the Petawawa River in Canada's Algonquin Park for this coming July.
> We plan to start the trip at Brent (or Cedar Lake) and to continue down
> the river for the 70-odd miles to the town of Petawawa on the Ottawa
> River. If anyone out there has _ANY_ information to offer about this trip
> (ie personal experiences, second-hand news, rumours, wives'tales,
> eulogies, etc.), please email me at: cdam...@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca
> As we will be using open canoes, we will be portaging anything more
> intense than Class III rapids. The experience level of the people
> involved (the list has yet to be finalized) is Level 4 (ie can handle at
> least Class III rapids) for the most part, with one possible Level 3 (ie
> should be able to bow for Class III rapids, but should not be in the
> stern). Our experience with wilderness camping is good, and our fitness
> levels are very good to excellent. Any anecdotes would also be most
> welcome!
>
>
> Chris Dambrowitz
Chris
If you are planning a trip further down the Ottawa to it's bustling
part, you may want to catch the Rocher Fondu (something like that)
rapids. They are commercialized... mucho rafts in summer, but if you
get there early in the spring or on a weekday, you will have an
unlimited play spot... in spring the Greyhound bus eater is upwards to
25 feet of pure mush and tongues to surf on... a very forgiving river
but enough volume in spring to give Colorado river rafts a toss... and
the occasional 32 man flip.
If you want an accurate summary of the rapids just holler... If you're
looking for paddle buddies, we are always wet from April on... drop in
at Rafters (Wilderness Tours - http://w3.lanter.net/McBeath/WT) or
613-646-2291.
--
James McBeath (http://w3.lanter.net/McBeath/mcbeath)
of/de Lanter.Net Communications (http://w3.lanter.net/)
Check out the ARChive, our digital Art Resource Center
(http://w3.lanter.net/McBeath/arc)
Monique Sykes
The Petawawa is a great trip. Did it last summer from Brent to MacManus.
You have to take out at MacManus Lake because further down is the
military base for which you are not allowed to trespass on(not including
the fact that you would be canoeing through the firing range). Remember
the vehicle shuttle is a long trip. I recommend you do the take out
vehicle shuttle the night before and do the ride up to Brent the next
morning. Are you aware that you have to get a park permit to do this
trip.
If you're looking for someone to do the shuttle for you, give Don Smith
at Valley Ventures in Deep River a call. This is his business. He's very
busy so touch base early with him. Sometimes this is worth the cost
because of how rough the park roads get. It als reduces the wear and tear
on your vehicle and the worry you might have of your vehicles being
parked at the take out for a week.
The scenery is beautiful and the whitewater is great. We paddled almost
everything because the water was low. Make sure you purchase the river
guide and follow it very closely. You wouldn't want to venture into some
of those rapids without knowing where you are. The book has very good
description of the rapids(although on the conservative side sometimes,
but this is for our own safety). It also indicates the portages.
One rapid you should be careful about is crooked chute. There are two
possible take-outs to do the portage. If you decide you can paddle past
the first one and onto the second one(which makes for a lot shorter
portage) make sure you know where that second portage is. The rapid is
not very forgiving since people have died there because of missing the
portage. You can shorten the portage a lot at this rapid by also putting
in right below the chute and running the bottom portion of the rapid.
We've always done this. We know the river well and know which hole and
rock to watch out for.
If you need more info don't hesitate to contact me at my email address.
I have trip notes at home that I can refer to and give you more detail
info
Monique Sykes
Kerry Knudsen
>>Juxtaposed against the RR sounds - during the long silences between
>>trains, I was treated to the eerie sound of wolves howling in the
>>distance, accompanied by a yipping babble that I've heard the coyotes
>>make in Arizona. My uncle in Orillia claims there are coyotes up
>>there, but he's been known to stretch the truth :) If anybody'd
>>care to comment on the yippers, I'd appreciate it.
>>The Friends of Algonquin Park
>>Box 248
>>Whitney, Ontario K0J 2M0
>>
>>
>>email me if you like, I'm
>>Mark the zo...@a.crl.com
>>
>>
Coyotes are common from Orillia south -- I don't know about north.
However, I understand that coyotes and wolves don't get along, and
that the wolves will drive the coyotes away.
In any event, Algonquin's wolves are a pleasure to hear.
Editor, Canadian Sportfishing Magazine
937 Centre Rd., Dept. 2020
Waterdown, Ont. L0R 2H0
905-689-1112
gre...@ibm.net
>
>Juxtaposed against the RR sounds - during the long silences between
>trains, I was treated to the eerie sound of wolves howling in the
>distance, accompanied by a yipping babble that I've heard the coyotes
>make in Arizona. My uncle in Orillia claims there are coyotes up
>there, but he's been known to stretch the truth :) If anybody'd
>care to comment on the yippers, I'd appreciate it.
>
>
I saw a single wolf east of Brent in the park. I saw coyotee on the drive
in near South River. I heard wolf most clear nights all along the Pet.
Greig
David Robinson
: >Hi folks!
: > I'm in the early stages of planning a 4-6 day canoe/camping trip
: >down the Petawawa River in Canada's Algonquin Park for this coming July.
: >We plan to start the trip at Brent (or Cedar Lake) and to continue down
: >the river for the 70-odd miles to the town of Petawawa on the Ottawa
: >River. If anyone out there has _ANY_ information to offer about this trip
: >(ie personal experiences, second-hand news, rumours, wives'tales,
: >eulogies, etc.), please email me at: cdam...@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca
: >As we will be using open canoes, we will be portaging anything more
: >intense than Class III rapids. The experience level of the people
: >involved (the list has yet to be finalized) is Level 4 (ie can handle at
: >least Class III rapids) for the most part, with one possible Level 3 (ie
: >should be able to bow for Class III rapids, but should not be in the
: >stern). Our experience with wilderness camping is good, and our fitness
: >levels are very good to excellent. Any anecdotes would also be most
: >welcome!
I've paddled the Pettawawa and love it, it's a great river. Be prepared
for some lower water levels in July.
Several bits of MANDATORY advice:
1. Get a copy of the Pettawawa River Whitewater Guide by George Drought.
It is expremely detailed and very helpful. it costs a few bucks and is
available from The Friends of Algonquin Park, P.O. Box 248, Whitney, Ont.
K0J 2M0.
2. Get a COMPLETE set of 1:50,000 scale topo maps for the route.
3. Forget about canoeing all the way to the town of Pettawawa. You MUST
end you trip at the take-out at McManus Lake. Below McManus is Canadian
Forces Base Pettawawa, strictly off-limits. (Besides, it's a live fire
range and you risk being a) Arresting or b) blown into teenie, tiny bits.
4. Reserve you permits as soon as possible. The Daily Quota at Brent is
only 25.
Lastly, have a blast, it's agreat trip!
--
Dave Robinson
at Toronto Freenet
aa...@freenet.toronto.on.ca
GrEp
>Hi folks!
>
> I'm in the early stages of planning a 4-6 day canoe/camping trip
>down the Petawawa River in Canada's Algonquin Park for this coming July.
>We plan to start the trip at Brent (or Cedar Lake) and to continue down
>the river for the 70-odd miles to the town of Petawawa on the Ottawa
>River. If anyone out there has _ANY_ information to offer about this trip
We did a late spring trip up the Crow and down the Pet. The upper
section involved a lot of carrying around ominous unscoutable rapids (big
fast water disappearing around corners too thick with brush and too far
to scout practically.) We've heard that every rapid has been run by open
(maybe fabric covered) canoe...but can't verify that first hand. For our
small group it was much faster and safer to carry...and the portages are
a long way from the river and quite long. So...go light.
Driving takes a long time...look out for log trucks (18 wheel drifts
around the corners...no joke). They use CB radios and advise each other
where they are by mileposts (kilometer posts) so they don't head on.
Otherwise open your window and listen for them.
Fivemile rapids is about Nirvana in the right water...that much
continuous class 2-3 and easy to run without scouting.
Oh yeah...as was scratched on the bottom of the big pieces of a ruined
canoe..."Don't Shoot Crooked Chute."
Tom