Ragged Chutes

Sun. 19 October:  Ragged Chutes

Ragged Chutes:   well-named

There would be no running round the rugged rocks here.  The terrain was far too challenging for that. 

The Ragged Chutes may be well known to some, but probably not a lot of people.  A paradise for kayakers, these series of rapids lie along a remote stretch of the Canadian Mississippi River, less than an hour’s drive west and north from Perth.  They are on private land, but access is permitted to the Rideau Trail Association through a long-standing agreement.

This made a perfect day hike, of about twelve kilometres, partly on good tracks, and partly in the bush, beside river and lake, passing a number of picturesque rocky viewpoints.  It was a small group of eight who set out from the barn on Ragged Chutes Road, exactly at ten o’clock on a cool overcast morning.  Temperatures were only two or three degrees above freezing.  We detected the slightest hint of a flurry before the weather remembered what it was forecast to do, and brightened up a bit.  Later there were some sunny intervals.  Much later in the day, the skies cleared completely, but we were back home by then.

The route was well selected, and meticulously checked out in advance by our trip leader.  We travelled in a clockwise direction on a roughly rectangular loop, the bottom end being the line of the river and lakes.  The approach and return legs were on good trails.  

An enjoyable stroll through the woods brought us down to the first chute.  Here the waters of Otter Lake poured from its exit down a wide chute, or rapid.  We followed the river downstream for a while, past a rickety road bridge made of logs, to perhaps the most spectacular of the chutes.  This was really a (no better word for it) ragged waterfall.  Small round holes in the granite showed the power of water.  This was a grand sight and must be doubly so at times of high water.  Thanks to the rains this week, the water was apparently much higher than a week ago.

From here we back-tracked along the trail before heading off into the bush.  There was no trail, just red tape tied to tree branches marking our route.  It would have been difficult to have gone wrong, as we were following the river upstream.  We passed by several good vantage points, some right beside the river and others higher above it.  Gentle stretches of river were interspersed with rapids.  Our lunch spot was at a spectacular chute directly below King’s Lake.  This would be a favorite spot for any white-water kayakers who enjoy standing waves.

We continued around the north shore of the lake.  At one point we walked along the water’s edge on a narrow but very nice sandy beach.  Here the sun made a brief appearance.  Further along the shoreline we came to an ideal camp site.  Here we turned northwards onto a good trail back to the cars.  At first this track rose steeply but soon flattened out. 

Towards the end of the trail, the forests opened up and we passed through farm fields, leading to a large farm.  It stood as if deserted, several lonely barns and a farmhouse.  Perhaps it is only inhabited in the Spring when the maple sugar is collected.

We had seen very little wildlife along the way, but did step right over a sleepy, colorful garter snake, who didn’t bother to move out of the way.

This was the perfect outing – a good workout, a spectacular destination, and a great set of companions to share the trail.  Whether any of us were rascals, I will leave to others to decide!

Statistics:

Total Distance:  12.5 km (hike)

Height Gain:      Say 200 ft.

Time on Trail:   4 hrs. 53 mins.

Start hike:           9.59 am

First chutes:     10.34 am

Upper chute:    12.38 pm

Lakeside stop:    1.54  pm

Return to cars:    2.53 pm

Temp:              +3C to +5C

Weather:          Cloudy, sunny intervals. 

Our trip started and ended here at this barn on Ragged Chutes Road

On the trail

Heading down to the river

Large wasp nest in the tree

Chute below Otter Lake

Bridge downstream of Otter Lake

Interesting rock

Lower chutes

Leaving the wide paths behind

Quiet section of the Mississippi River

Sleepy garter snake did not move as we passed by

Hiking upstream

Some fall colors above the river

Our route is clockwise from the top of the map

Perfect lunch spot...

...at the chutes below King's Lake

Beside King's Lake

More color  -  considered "muted" this year

Sandy beach beside King's Lake

Nice rest stop by the lake

Steep hill leads back to the start

Open fields on the final leg of the journey

Deserted farm

NOW the sun comes out!!