The Passionate Hiker: August 2017

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Sharbot the Brave

Sat. 26 August: Sharbot the Brave

Affectionate name for the Kingston and Pembroke railway:
now a trail extending north from Kingston to Sharbot Lake

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

They know how to celebrate in Sharbot Lake!

These were the official opening ceremonies for the not-quite-finished section of K&P Trail between Tichborne and Sharbot Lake. For good measure, they threw in the Canada 150 celebrations too. We had an inaugural bike ride, followed by speeches and an eclectic parade to the beach, where everyone enjoyed free food and music.

My day had already begun with an 8.9 kilometre bike ride down the Trans-Canada Trail to the SW corner of the lake, then back along the roads. This was soon followed by the official bike ride south to Tichborne and back, following as much of the new trail as possible. Most of our twenty eight kilometre return journey was beside the busy Highway 38, where my mountain bike was hard-pressed to keep up with the dozen or so “real” bikers, but I managed it.

Back at Sharbot Lake station, in front of the caboose, the celebrations started with a rousing “OYEZ” from the Crier, followed by several short speeches, and then the parade. Led by Sir John A Macdonald (unrepentant for his apparent sins of genocide), were the dignitaries: the Town Crier, Mayor, County Warden, many other officials, all rightly proud to be associated with the important achievement of bringing the K&P into town. There were horses and wagons, a brigade of ATV’s, and up near the front, our small bunch of cyclists, representing the trail users.

To create the perfect musical accompaniment, three pipers provided a stirring rendition of “Scotland the Brave” as we marched through the railway cutting to the beach. Here we all gathered for a well-earned barbeque and live music, under the canopy of the tall trees beside the sparkling lake.

The trail was officially declared open. Now all that remains is to finish it.

Let the photos tell today’s story.

Celebrations took place at the old station

Steam train at Sharbot Lake many years ago

The community was also celebrating Canada's 150th today:
on the water as well (or under it)?

The trail was officially opened from Tichborne to Sharbot Lake today:
Work remains to fully complete the route

An early bike ride around the south end of the lake

This would be a useful vehicle to have.
It has handles allowing it to be lifted off the rails.
Hopefully not in a hurry!

Gathering point for the bike ride

Bikers assembling

The cycling team

Heading south at the Trans-Canada Trail junction

Onto the new section of trail beside Hwy 38

East side of Hwy 38 north of Vinkle Road

Much of our journey was on the road - trail sections to be completed

Just north of Tichborne

This might have been the longest train I have ever seen,
and it was thundering across the road here at Tichborne

The team at Tichborne

This lovely old building now houses a theatre group

Racing back north to Sharbot Lake

A patriotic bench beside Sharbot Lake

Armoured brigade lining up for the parade

The new plaque for the K&P opening today

An unrepentant Sir John A.

The Crier has a remarkable cry

A proud Mayor

Good attendance

Lining up for the parade

"Scotland the Brave"

A glorious setting for our day of celebration

Work still to be done

Monday, August 21, 2017

The K&P Canal

Mon. 21 August: The K&P Canal

Exploring the K&P Trail north of Tichborne

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

More wet feet!

It was just over two years ago (see ** below) that I first explored the section of the Kingston & Pembroke (K&P) Trail from Tichborne north to Sharbot Lake. Given all the publicity about ribbon cutting ceremonies next weekend to celebrate the completion of the trail, getting wet feet wasn’t what I had expected today.

I would estimate that the stretch of trail beween Tichborne and Sharbot Lake is only 20% completed, and they will be doing very well if they get it done by this time next year. There are stretches of trail that have been graded and covered with a white stone dust. But some of this new cover is already showing signs of erosion due to rain, and one new section of about a hundred metres was under water.

Between these new pieces of trail lie long stretches of untouched, overgrown, and sometimes flooded trail. The worst section, north from Bradshaw Road, lies under water, exactly as it was two years ago. Once again, I defied common sense and waded up to my knees along what looked very much like a canal, for the best part of a kilometre, with some short drier sections along the way. As I had noted before, this is going to require a heavy investment in rock or stone to bring the trail up above water level.

I reached the end of the completed trail, six and a half kilometres north of Tichborne, where it ends at a “private property” sign. Apparently the land has been purchased, but ahead lay a house and a gate. There is still lots to do before the trail is ready.

After biking back down Highway 38 to Tichborne, I drove up to Sharbot Lake and biked a few kilometres south along the trail. Some of it is paved, but there are missing sections, and it finally ends beside the highway at someone’s front lawn.

Altogether, it seems that this has been a very challenging project for some luckless project manager. I’m sure the job will get done, and it will be a magnificent route all the way north from Kingston, but as for an opening ceremony next weekend, it’s probably premature by about a year.

Good luck to the work teams as they finish the job. They are creating a very special trail. Once it is completed, it will rightly become one of the great trails of Eastern Ontario and will bring pleasure and wonder to countless outdoor enthusiasts in the years to come. What more could anyone ask for? Apart from dry feet, that is!