The Point Trail

Sat. 23 August:  The Point Trail

We followed the left-hand branch there and back

This was my first Rideau Trail Association (RTA) hike after the cancellation of a few weeks ago due to rain. And what a great start! 

Our team was small, just four of us, so we were able to fit in my car for the short drive to Murphy’s Point.  The trailhead for today’s hike was at the end of the road in the camping area, at a large parking lot, full of empty boat trailers.  This is a popular launching place for boaters enjoying the wide expanse of Big Rideau Lake and the canal system.

The name of our hike, Point Trail, left no doubt as to our destination, a point of land jutting out into Big Rideau Lake.  There was no sign of water at first, as we followed a woodland trail.  It wandered through the forest, past exposed granite rocks, becoming more undulating as we progressed.  After a couple of kilometres we came to the edge of the bay on our left, and soon after that we reached the Point.

Our reward for reaching this rocky point was the sudden panorama of Big Rideau Lake stretching away to the northeast.  In the middle ground sat a wooded island with a large house hidden in the trees, the manicured lawns dropping down to the water’s edge.  The lake was busy with speeding boats, and a sole sailing dinghy. 

Back-tracking along our trail, we reached a junction where there was a swimming area and change hut, and two picnic tables.  A tiny islet sat a few metres offshore, making this an idyllic place for a picnic and swim.  A dozen or so other people had arrived ahead of us, but there was room for all.  One of our party bravely swam out to the islet, while the rest of us paddled around in the shallows.  There was a small swamp behind the beach where several frogs sat quietly in the sunshine posing for photos.

After a relaxing picnic lunch we returned down the trail to the car, declaring this trip to have been well worthwhile.  Although a short walk, we were rewarded by the magical settings of the Point and the beach – and the squirrels, woodpeckers, frogs, wildflowers, colourful lichens and fungus kept us enthralled. 

Statistics:

Total Distance:           5.0 km (hike)

Height Gain:               Negligible

Time on Trail:            2 hrs. 46 mins.

Start:                          10.29 am

The Point:                  11.17 am

Beach arr.:                 12.09 pm

Beach dep.:                12.55 pm

Ret. to car:                   1.15 pm

Temp:                         Low 20’s C

Weather:                     Sun and cloud



Trailhead in Murphys Point Provincial Park

On the trail

Impressive burl on tree





Approaching The Point

Grand views down Big Rideau Lake from The Point

Busy section of the Rideau Canal past The Point

Woodpecker hiding in the branches

The "secret" bathing beach (rotated to get a flat horizon!)

Frog behind the bathing beach

Another frog in the pond

Colourful lichen - can anyone tell me its name?