Ups and Downs

Fri. 26 January:  Ups and Downs

A roller-coaster trail

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

Some people might think that Eastern Ontario is flat farmland.  I’d like to show them this ten kilometre section of the Rideau Trail. 

From Foley Mountain east to Narrows Lock Road is a roller-coaster country of steep drops and climbs through woodland and beside Upper Rideau Lake.  But hardly anywhere is it flat.  And the farmland lies across the lake to the south, or beyond the escarpment to the north. 

Spy Rock is a grand starting place for any hike, with its birds eye view down to Westport and its church spires.  Here is the highest point on the entire 328 km trail.  We plunged down heart-attack hill through the woodland wilderness.  We had deliberately chosen to travel eastwards.  The logic is clear to see from the elevation profile.  Who wants the steepest uphill section right at the end of a long hike?

North Shore Road seemed to be hiding behind several ridges, but we finally found it, and enjoyed the up and down stroll with glimpse of lake and small islands.  There were some enormous homes hiding in the trees above the lake, but we encountered just one vehicle and no other walkers.

The final 1.4 kilometres took us up the open hillside above Duck Bay, and through an enchanted country of rocks and swamps and ancient trees pointing the way – a microcosm of the entire Rideau Trail, all within a few hundred metres.

No need to head to the Rockies – we have enough hills right here!

Little Bay, at the lowest point of the trail beside Upper Rideau Lake

Leaving Foley Mountain trail  network

A DOWN...

...and an UP

Ridgeline above the trees

Friendly tree points the way

Our 10.7 km route

The full elev./speed stats.