Defying the Odds

Sat. 5 August:  Defying the Odds

Eleven kilometres along the beautiful Rideau Trail

There was no escaping a drenching today – or so we thought.

The strong westerly wind was whipping up the waters of Upper Rideau Lake as we stood at the trailhead at Narrows Lock.  Not a good day for a boat cruise on that stretch of the Rideau Canal.  The skies were full of racing clouds, the trees were swaying in the wind, and heavy drops of rain started to fly in the air.  We quickly put on our raingear and expected a soaking.

A stormy Big Rideau Lake

But this unpredictable summer weather changed once again and by some miracle we were soon able to put our rain gear away.

Our eleven kilometre journey along the Rideau Trail was an enjoyable mix of lakeside cottage road and wilderness trail.  In summertime, there’s not much of a view of the lake, or of the large homes, hidden in the trees. Today, many of the cottage owners were out along the road busily trimming back the undergrowth.  This was their “maintenance day”.

Crossing the beaver dam

The only potential obstacle along our route was the beaver dam. Here was another opportunity for a soaking. There were some slippery logs to negotiate, but all seven of us managed it safely.  

There is just one place where you can get down to the edge of Big Rideau Lake.  It is called Red Rock, and it’s a spectacular setting beside the sparkling waters of the lake.  Although only a few steps off the Rideau Trail, its presence seems to be unknown to many walkers.  It’s a “must see” for anyone travelling this section of trail.

Red Rock

We arrived at our parking spot on Miners Point Road, where the tree branches were still swaying in the wind.  But we had stayed dry.  Just a few hours later, another stormy squall raced through town – but it was too late to catch us!