Metcalfe Park - Downriver on the Mississippi

If you are looking for a combo paddle and hike, this could be the ideal paddling outing!  The canoe/kayak launch to go down the Mississippi River from Almonte is at the Metcalfe Geoheritage Park.  Going downriver, you can only paddle flat water for about 2.5 km. Then, there’s a stretch of rocks/rapids for about 800 m, followed by flat waters again to Blakeney (3.5 km).

Mississippi River, Metcalfe Park, Almonte

On a calm late October afternoon, this was a nice short canoe paddle. This section of the river is very straight, but there are things to see and experience. First, there are the multiple outflows of the river on the east side as it makes its way around Coleman Island. There’s also a lovely set of stair-like falls on the west side at the base of Strathburn Street. And after Strathburn, the 1.7 km to the rapids is mostly undeveloped and relatively quiet. The riverbank is quite steep and rocky, but a bit of wetland is also present.

The Mississippi River Trail follows the river’s west shore and can be easily accessed in at least two places. The first is at the flat rocks about 1 km from Metcalfe Park. The other good access for the hiking trail is just before the rapids.  If you decide to make it a combo, make sure to secure your boat well – or your hike may be longer and more treacherous than planned!

“Metcalfe Park, at the bottom of Bay Hill in Almonte, Ontario, was named in honour of Dr. Archibald Metcalfe (1869-1962), local physician for 63 years, town councillor and Mayor (at least seven terms), and the driving force to establish the Almonte hydroelectric generating station.”

“The idea for a geological display at Metcalfe Park arose from an April 2004 presentation in Almonte on geoheritage by Dr. J. Allan Donaldson. The official opening was held in September 2016.”

Millfall condo site

PHC canoe at Rock Bottom

Playfairville to Stewart's Island, Mississippi River

This fall, I’m trying to keep paddling to the end of October.  We’ll see after that; deer hunting starts in early November.  So on a cold (10C) and cloudy October afternoon, I headed out to Playfairville to explore access to the Mississippi River below the rapids.

Playfairville Track 8.3 km (kayak)

Google Earth view

There is a put-out in Playfairville for white water kayaks coming down the Sheridan rapids. A canoe/kayak put-in for going downriver is not so obvious. At the parking area across from Iron Mine Road, the put-out for white-water boats was too rocky and steep for me to launch my 14ft Widgeon kayak.  Launching a canoe or kayak at the rocky put-out is probably do-able with two people. By walking to the northeast end of the parking area, I noticed a grassy path going down to the water.  The path is right next to a fence and a private residence.  I assumed that the path was on public land and proceeded to launch my kayak.  It would be nice to find out for sure.  A better option for launching would be at the Casawinati campground.  Click here.

Rapids below Playfairville bridge

I was excited to get in the water at Playfairville and be able to paddle down the Mississippi River to Stewart’s Island.  The Playfairville to Stewart’s Island river section would complete my exploration of the Mississippi stretch from Playfairville to Fergusons Falls (19 km). This section of the Mississippi River is relatively isolated and has some unique features – Clyde River, Fall River, Stewart’s Island, Stafford’s Island, rocky shores, wetlands, and a good variety of wildlife.  It’s my favourite stretch of the Mississippi River – so far!

On October 16, I found the currents below Playfairville to be light (maybe 2 km/hr). But, this river access might be better avoided in the spring.  After 1.5 km downriver, the river widens, and the currents at this point should be manageable all year long.

At the point where the river widens, I spotted a trio of River Otters in the water. The otters were climbing on a muskrat den and playing on top (or looking for a muskrat meal).  The only other wildlife I saw in today’s paddling outing was a pair of Common Merganser Ducks.

After about 4 km of paddling, I reached Stewart’s Island. I was happy to start the return paddle to Playfairville -- the weather was still looking unsettled. On the way back, I did make a pit stop on the southeast shore for a break and a snack. Then, it was back in the kayak heading upriver to look for the River Otters. I found them at the same spot – the three of them on top of the muskrat den. I got a few pics from a distance, but before I could get into a better position, they were all off in the water and reappear on the river’s far bank. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance for better pics next time!

Common Merganser Ducks

Glen Isle, Mississippi River

Glen Isle is a sizeable island (200 hectares) on the Mississippi River between Appleton and Carleton Place. After Morris Island, Glen Isle is probably the largest island on the Mississippi River. The best access to Glen Isle is at the end of Cram Road on the Mississippi River’s eastern side.

Glen Isle, 8.8 km track (kayak)

GE view

The eastern channel of the river around Glen Isle is much wider and navigable than the narrow and rocky western channel. There are rapids at the north end of Glen Isle, which prevents you from reaching the village of Appleton downriver. Arklan Island and rapids block the paddling above Glen Isle towards Carleton Place. There’s about 4 km of paddling between Arklan Island and the northern rapids of Glen Isle. You can paddle about 1 km down the western side of Glen Isle from the SW tip – before getting block by rocks/rapids.

The east side of Glen Isle is a lovely paddle without too much development on the island or the eastern shore of the river. The east and south sides of Glen Isle are one significant wetland. This wetland area is a popular place for duck and geese hunters. Just 0.5 km south of the Cram Road launch is the small Isle of Patmos, and there was an elaborate duck blind setup at its northern tip.

Duck blind (Patmos Isle)

After launching my kayak, I went north to check out the rocky channels towards Appleton.  I ventured a bit too close to the first one and took some bottom paint off my kayak in making my retreat. I approached the second channel more strategically and went ashore on the dry flat river rock bed.  It’s an excellent spot for a break and a few pics.

North channel rocks & rapids

North channel dry river bed

Internet drone video of Glen Isle's north channel,  click Here.

From there, I paddled to the SW tip of Glen Isle and down the west side a bit before returning to the Cram Road access.  The only wildlife I managed to photograph (besides flocks of Canada Geese) on the trip was a Merganser duck.

Merganser Duck

Pothole carved by the river sediments & currents	European Barberry

Three Mississippi lakes above Dalhousie Lake

This year after getting back from summer in PEI, I continued exploring the upper Mississippi River. I decided to focus on the section of the Mississippi River between Dalhousie and Crotch Lakes. There are four medium lakes (and a few other small ones) in this 15 km section of the river. The four lakes going upriver from Dalhousie are Stump, Izatt, Miller, and King Lakes. This blog post will cover the first three; King Lake will have to wait for another year.

Stump Lake (10.5km track; Oct 4th, 2020)

Stump Lake was explored on Oct 4th by kayak (Widgeon) on a relatively warm overcast day, making the fall colours stand out beautifully.  I enjoyed paddling the circumference of Stump Lake with all its islands, channels, rocky shores, bays, and wetlands. Stump Lake is mostly undeveloped and therefore feels a bit remote in most areas of the lake. The bottom of Stump Lake has a small hydroelectric dam (High Falls). Below High Falls is a short 1 km section of the river before it goes into the west end of Dalhousie Lake. Stump Lake is now by far my favourite lake on the Mississippi for a day paddle. On the next trip to Stump Lake, I’ll have to check out the fishing before giving it a 10/10!

Fall colours - Stump Lake

High Falls (OPG hydro station)

Stump Lake scenery & Widgeon kayak

Izatt Lake (8.0km track; Sep 24th, 2020)

The next lake, Izatt, is directly connected to Stump Lake by going under the CR36 bridge. Izatt Lake is a bit more developed than Stump Lake – especially the northern part along CR36. Izatt is still a lovely lake to explore with its many channels, islands, wetlands, and streams. The western channel is reachable by going under the Carson Trail road bridge. This more remote area is quite scenic and feels more isolated.  At the end of this channel is a beautiful little stream flowing into Izatt Lake -- McLaren Depot Snye stream/waterfall. On my way back, I did photograph a group of Painted Turtles enjoying some late season solar energy in the first southern channel from the CR36 bridge.

Stump and Izatt Lakes are accessible at the public ramp off CR36 – next to a floatplane dock.  It’s an excellent launch spot with lots of parking, and amazingly it has a well-maintained outhouse.

Launch for Stump & Izatt Lakes

Carson Trail bridge, Izatt Lake

Midland Painted Turtle quartet, Izatt Lake

Miller Lake (8.1km track; Sep 25th, 2020)

The next medium size lake upriver is Miller Lake, which can be accessed on CR509. The Miller launch point is also great – no outhouse, but it does have a picnic table and lots of parking.  I distinguish the lake part above the bridge (west) as Upper Miller and the east side as Lower Miller Lake. Miller Lake is not overly developed and makes for a nice relaxing paddle with its rocky shores, rapids, and wetland areas. At the west end of upper Miller Lake, there’s a portage trail for going upriver around a section of rapids. It would be nice to try the portage someday and see if Otter Lake and Kings Lake are easily reachable. Kings Lake is about 4.3 km upriver through some more rapids, small lakes/ponds (e.g. Otter), and some narrow channels.

The east end of Lower Miller lake also has rapids with a portage that should get you into Izatt Lake. Miller Lake would be great to paddle again in the spring season when the wetlands and creeks are more navigable.

Upper Miller Lake, west end

Miller Lake, nice and calm!

Lower Miller Lake, east end

The next lakes to explore further up the Mississippi River are Kings Lake and Crotch Lake. The small Otter Lake would also be fun to check out but looks pretty hard to reach!

Starry False Solomon's Seal

Old ring in the rock, Lower Miller L.

For more details on nature sightings, click here for Izatt Lake.

For more details on nature sightings, click here for Miller Lake.