Tay Canal: the Blue Trail

Wed. 13 January:  The Beveridge Dam - An RTA Blue Trail

The road connecting Lower and Upper Beveridge Locks, Tay Canal
This beautiful picture was taken by Nancy Gaudreau

Note:  single-click on the first picture above to scroll through the photos separately.

Winter is back, after a brief rainy interlude.  The downpour on Sunday didn’t manage to wash away all the snow, but it had left slick icy surfaces beneath the thin new layer of snow.

Our Wednesday hikers braved the biting west wind to enjoy a brief stroll, under blue skies, up the Blue trail from Lower Beveridge Lock to Beveridge Dam on the Tay River.  Our companions today were some friendly chickadees which, perhaps, had hoped for something to eat.

The Parks Canada guys were doing some work at the Upper Lock, inside the old lock-keepers building.  The Upper Lock itself lay empty except for the little tug boat, “Tay”, which rested against the lock walls. 

The path to the dam would have been a dangerous walk without icers.  My MICROspikes made it an easy stroll.  We stopped to climb the lookout tower for a grand view across the marshes towards Perth.  The Beveridge Dam was crusted with ice, with the Tay River flowing powerfully through the gates. 

Returning to the Lower Lock, we continued down to the very end of the Tay Canal where it enters Big Rideau Lake.  This is a very picturesque setting in summer, with boats moored below the dam, people picnicking on the grass, and kids fishing beside the lake.  Today it was also picturesque in a different manner!  The water was finally starting to freeze over, and the fresh new snow glistened under the bright sun. 

But our faces were quickly freezing, so we were happy to return to the cars and to declare our brief trip a complete success.

New camping options at the Upper Beveridge Lock

At the Upper Beveridge Lock

Tay Marsh lookout, and Tay River

The Beveridge Dam - go no further!

Some of our team at the point where the Tay Canal
 joins the Rideau Canal at Big Rideau Lake