The Tay Canal

Sat. 28 June:  The Tay Canal

On the Tay River

This was my first adventure in Ontario – but not a hike.  There is a strong possibility that the Passionate Hiker could become a Passionate Kayaker too.  But one step at a time. 

Today I explored the Tay Canal by kayak from its start in the centre of Perth, several kilometres downstream towards the Rideau Canal.  On a trip in the near future I will continue all the way down the Tay, through the Beveridge Locks, and into the vast system of lakes which make up most of the Rideau Canal.  One could spend a summer exploring the lakes and bays and campsites along the way

This was a good way to start.  It was a hot early summer’s day, with temperatures quickly rising from 19C to around 25C, and still going up as I biked home.  The secret to my journey was the strategically situated Perth Outfitters, with lots of lovely canoes and kayaks to rent, and really friendly and knowledgeable owners.

Total distance travelled =  about 14 km.

See the pictures.

Setting out from Perth

Soon reach a marshland - sounds of ducks and other hidden creatures

The canal starts to open up into a lake

Important looking signs!

The lake - about halfway to the Beveridge Locks

Here a large deer swam across the canal - too slow with my camera!

Some nice real estate - the only sign of human habitation on my journey

Hopefully I'm on the right side of this thing

Fascinating marshland beside the canal

Now upstream of my starting point:  approaching Perth basin

Perth basin - tempting fountains

The Town of Perth - start of the Tay Canal

The Journey

In mid-June 2014, the time had finally arrived for me to travel east from Calgary Alberta to Perth Ontario, a distance of about 3600 kilometres, across a large section of Canada.  I took five days.  Here are some pictures.

Pre-dawn mist across the Alberta prairies; grain silo skyscraper

First glimpse of the sun along the Trans-Canada Highway

Huge prairie skies.  Power pylons stretch eastwards.  Empty highway.

Leaving Alberta behind.  Cypress Hills in background.

Afternoon rainstorm in Saskatchewan - cyclist heading east

There were several lone cyclists making their way across Canada.

Sinister clouds as I passed Regina Saskatchewan

This wreck maybe caught a squall, or swerved to avoid a deer.

My third Province - and still lots of prairie to go

Diverted onto farm track west of Brandon Manitoba

The western edge of a vast Province, and still over 2,000 km to go

Lake of the Woods at Kenora, Ontario

A completely different landscape - lakes and forests

Dryden, a busy working town, but it feels isolated

First exciting view of Lake Superior:  Thunder Bay

Terry Fox memorial - Lake Superior.  A inspiring place.

A sea of mist - literally!!  Lake Superior's remote northern shore

Stunning Neys Provincial Park, I lingered here a day.

The view from my campsite beach

Moose!  Plenty of warning signs along the highway.

Goose!  No warning at all!  At the town of  Wawa.

Eastern shore of Lake Superior

This is how the Voyageurs used to cross Canada

Canal at Sault Ste. Marie and bridge to USA

Morning mist east of Sudbury

A domestic scene on the Ottawa River

Arriving Home

And Finally.....!

Sat. 7 June:  Cross Conservation Area

This really WAS my last hike in Alberta!  One may be forgiven for asking what “last” means, given that I have been continuing to make the most of my last three weeks at work, by heading into the outdoors.  But this was my last full weekend in Calgary before finally heading east next Sunday.

My long-term hiking colleague, JM, was back from Vancouver the night before, so we met up on the Saturday morning for a stroll around the Cross Conservation Area, on the southern limits of the city.  I say “stroll”, but a walk around the perimeter of this hilly landscape does require some effort and energy.  It is worth it.

We took the highline trail to the first open viewpoint, then dropped down into the woods before making the long gradual climb to the spectacular western viewpoint. Pine Creek Trail continues south then east, down the green valley and then up onto the final viewpoint at the south end of Fescue trail.  From here the trail turned northwards on the open flat hillside back to the start.

The atmosphere was clear today, giving excellent views in every direction.  Of course, we lingered at the West End, identifying all the peaks and recalling ancient conquests.

At the southern viewpoint J took the time to try and educate me on my GPS device.  Geocaching is on my list of post-retirement activities.  I still have a lot to figure out!

The north breeze had been cold, but was now pleasant as we made our way along the final ridge and down to the car.  It had been a fine walk for my last Alberta outing.  My next adventure will be in very different surroundings!

Statistics:

Total Distance: x.0 km (hike)

Height Gain:       x ft.

Max. Elev.:        x  ft.

Time on Trail:    3 hrs. 41 mins.

Dep. car:           7.46 am

West viewpt:  8.38 am

South viewpt:         10.08 am

Ret. to car:           11.27 am

Temp:               +7 C to +15C

Weather:           Starts cloudless, clear atmosphere, clouds building from N & W, cool N breeze

Clear view northwards to the City

The path follows the line of the open hilltop

Then dives into the woods for the climb to the West End viewpoint

Mts. Cornwall and Glasgow from the West End viewpoint

View SW to familiar peaks and foothills

The remotest trail in the Cross Conservation Area

Following Pine Creek Trail

A tiny butterfly

At the South viewpoint

Birds and birds-eye views