CATARAQUI CANOE CLUB EVENTS – 2025
Current Events
Contents
April
CANCELLED
Saturday Apr 26, 2025 moved to Sunday
Napanee River – Verona Lake to Petworth
This is a leisurely paddle from Verona Lake to Petworth on the Napanee River. The distance is about 17 km. We will go with the flow down Hardwood Creek to Napanee Lake and then the Napanee River. A shuttle is involved on this paddle.
May
Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
Hike at Depot Creek Nature Reserve
10:00am – 4:00pm
Join us for an excursion to explore the trails at Depot Creek Nature Reserve, a beautiful KFL&A Land Conservancy property in Bellrock on First Lake Road. Terrain is easy-moderate, with a variety of habitats — wetlands, woodlands, creeks and beaver dams. This hike is designed for two groups: families with young kids as the distance is short, just under two hours, and you can’t get lost, and a slow walk to observe our surroundings, and use our cameras with assistance from Mieke, an experienced photographer, if interested. For a longer hike, the trails can be repeated.
Sunday, May 4th, 2025
Celebration of Life – Beth Orr
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Where: Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation area
Saturday, May 10th, 2025
Genora Ferry to Picton
10:00am – 4:00pm
Join us for a paddle in one of our more western areas, paddling from the Glenora Ferry area to Picton Harbour. This is approximately 20 km with one small open water area where the Ferry crosses. There will be a midway leg stretch at a public boat launch along the way with lunch at the Lighthouse Restaurant picnic tables. This is for intermediate paddlers only. Protective gear and cold water clothing may be required depending on water temperatures. There may be an option for a shorter paddle .Parking is limited to 8 cars and car pooling is encouraged if possible.
Saturday, May 17th, 2025 OR Sunday, May 18th
Paddle Desert Lake, Mitchell Creek to Birch Lake
Paddle a scenic waterway with a lovely lunch and swim spot waiting for you. Plan to spend some time relaxing here. Intermediate paddle, with a distance of 15 km; some areas may have strong winds. Allow 6 hours, but you may want to take all day.
Mitchell Creek is very scenic, a lot of wildlife can be found along its shores. Birch Lake is partly inside Frontenac Provincial Park. Relax and enjoy a swim at our small sandy beach, take a short hike, paddle over to a sea cave with a beaver lodge at the rear, or paddle over to Dipper Lake. You may enjoy spending the afternoon and evening here.
Saturday, May 24th, 2025
Paddle Crooked Creek
Explore a route that hasn’t been paddled by the club recently. We start by paddling South from the Desert Lake Access Point through a short twisty creek to Holleford Lake. At the end of the lake, we will continue paddling through Crooked Creek to Knowlton Lake. We will likely encounter two to four beaver dams along the way, with an opportunity for a short off-trail scramble up 40m to a scenic overlook point on the return.
Participants should be comfortable getting in and out of their boats to traverse over beaver dams. Beaver dams and return trip of ~16 to 18km make this an Intermediate paddle with a limited number of boats
** Kayak Instruction Clinic **
May 26, 6pm to 8pm
New to kayaking?
Join our Introduction to Kayaking course Monday, May 26th 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. This course is specifically tailored to participants new to kayaking. To sign up for Introduction to Kayaking please register here. We will provide all equipment needed. Please arrive 15 minutes early to outfit kayak gear.
Thursday, May 29th, 2025
Sydenham Lake and Bulls Eye Lake
Join us for a paddle with two options for distance to be determined by the group. Option 1: Sydenham Lake and Bulls Eye Lake with a distance of approximately 16 km. Option 2: paddling Sydenham Lake, Bulls Eye, and Little Long Lake which has a distance of 25km.
Occasional high wind and waves can be experienced, making this trip suitable for intermediate or expert level paddlers.
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Seeley’s Bay to Jones Creek
Here’s a round-trip paddle on a lovely section of the Rideau River from Seeley’s Bay. Put-in and take-out at Centennial Park, paddling north to Jones Falls, passing by Rock Dunder. There will be a lift over into Dean’s Pond. Picnic by the locks. Depending on wind conditions, there may be significant waves on Whitefish Lake in which case sea-kayaks are recommended. 18 km full day paddle, Intermediate level.
Past Events 2025
January
Saturday January 4th, 2025
Gould Lake Hike/Snowshoe
Type: Hike/Snowshoe
We are lucky to have the rugged Gould Lake trails so close to Kingston. At this time, we will have scenic views unimpeded by tree leaves. However, trails may be muddy, icy, or snow covered. Please wear appropriate footwear (icers/snowshoes if needed). We will hike about 6-7.5 km of the east side trails. Packing warm tea or lunch thermos helps fight the cold.
Saturday January 11th, 2025
Bath Water Tower Hike/Snowshoe
Type: Hike/Snowshoe
This is a series of trails introduced to the club 3 years ago passing by the Bath Water Tower and the perimeter of Millhaven prison. There are a number of pretty trails that are relatively flat meandering through trees and meadows. Depending on conditions we will either hike or snowshoe. Distance is approximately 7 km.
Saturday January 18th, 2025
Ski on Cataraqui Trail
Type: Hike/Ski
If we have snow, we shall ski on the trail east from Perth Road for about 10 km. Lunch will be on the way and then we return. If not enough snow, we shall hike for a shorter distance.
Sunday January 19, 2025
Scheduling party and pot luck dinner meeting.
Members who intend to lead our trips in the next few months will present their plans to the club. If you are thinking of some day leading a trip, this will be useful to you. It will also be a pot luck dinner, gathering at 5:00 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm, and the business meeting at 7:00 pm. Guests are welcome, but space is limited to about 25 people.
Sunday January 26th, 2025
Murphy’s Point Hike/Ski
Type: Hike/Ski
Murphy’s Point is sufficiently north to frequently boast excellent conditions when they are less than ideal locally. There is a variety of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing, plus a scenic back country route, together with warm-up huts. We will do about 12 km of classic skiing and 7 km of backcountry (optional). There is a park fee per car unless you have an annual pass.
February
Sat Feb 1 2025
Blue Mountain Ski/Snowshoe
This trip is aimed to be a combination of trail and off-trail skiing/snowshoeing at Blue Mountain on the south side of Charleston Lake. The hiking trails leading to and from Blue Mountain are great for skiing and snowshoeing, with enough snow permitting. There are opportunities to stray from the trail to take in other points of interest. The ascent to the top of Blue Mountain is challenging and the view from the top wonderful. If there are a sufficient number of snowshoers and suitable weather, a separate trip for snowshoers on Sunday could be possible. This may be a hike depending on the amount of snow.
Difficulty: intermediate
Duration: 6 hours
Distance: 13 km
Highlights: view from Blue Mountain summit
Saturday Feb 8, 2025
Hike/Snowshoe Jones Creek Trails and/ or Landon Bay Trails
Join Robert and Sam for a hike/snowshoe on the Jones Creek Trails (5 km) and the Landon Bay Trails (6 km).The plan is to hike/snowshoe the Jones Creek Trail in the morning; and Landon Bay Trails in the afternoon. These scenic trails are accessed from the 1000 Islands Parkway and have free parking. Generally moderate terrain with some rugged spots. Be sure to bring ice grips, snowshoes and/or hiking poles according to conditions. Also bring lunch which may be left in your car.
You can join both or just one of the events.
Saturday Feb 15, 2025
Frontenac Park Swamp Hop
This trip has been a club favourite for decades. It starts at the trail centre of Frontenac Park and weaves across a myriad of frozen swamps to the south and east. The terrain is very scenic. Distance and difficulty can be adjusted for the participants, but generally significant hills can be avoided. The trip is suitable for skis or snowshoes. Depending on levels of interest, multiple trip groups can be organized, including separate trips for skiing and snowshoeing. If conditions aren’t suitable for skiing/snowshoeing, a hike will be substituted. Park fees apply and you get a Daily Vehicle Permit either online or at the Park Office to be assured of a parking spot.
Difficulty: intermediate
Duration: 6 hours
Distance: 15 km
Highlights: scenic backcountry ponds
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
GaiaGPS Tutorial via Zoom
GaiaGPS is a free mapping and navigation App that can be used to plan or to record your trips. In this lecture, you will learn how to use this powerful tool to enhance your hiking, cycling, and paddling adventures.
Part 1, 7:30-8:00 pm: How to use GaiaGPS
Part 2, 8:00-8:30 pm (if needed)
Revised to Sunday Feb 23
Saturday Feb 22, 2025
Ski/Snowshoe north of Opinicon Road
Assuming suitable snow and frozen waterbodies, this will be a backcountry ski/snowshoe trip that occasionally follows part of the Rideau Trail. We have done this trip and variants of it in past years. The terrain is rugged and very scenic. The route will take advantage of frozen lakes and ponds where possible for easier travel. Still, there will be about 150 m of climbing/descending over the total distance of about 9 km. Participants should have experience with backcountry skiing.
If there are sufficient numbers of snowshoers and suitable weather, a separate trip during the week for snowshoers could be possible.
Difficulty: intermediate
Duration: 5 hours
Distance: 9 km
Highlights: rugged backcountry scenery
March
Saturday March 1st, 2025
Frontenac Park Ski/Hike
The proposed time will be from 10:00am – 4:00 pm. The morning ski will be approx. 7km on the groomed road & corridor trail for intermediate skiers. (Less experienced skiers can return on the road.) We return to our cars for lunch. The afternoon hike will be a loop of approx. 7km from outdoor centre and of intermediate difficulty. If you wish to sign up only for hike, add (hike only) after your name and be at the outdoor centre by 12:30pm. Ice grips, poles and/snowshoes may be required according to conditions. If there is poor snow, a longer hike will be planned instead. We will meet at the Frontenac Park main parking lot
NOTE: For each car you must obtain a daily vehicle pass, (free to annual pass holders).
Saturday March 8th, 2025
Hike at Big Sandy Bay
A hike to a huge, sandy beach with sand dunes and often interesting natural ice sculptures along the shoreline (weather permitting). With luck, we may see wildlife on the way. We will hike for 4–6 km, your choice. We will depart Kingston to Wolfe Island at 10:00 am to return by 4:00 pm. The ferry ride is free, but some days it can be full, so we encourage carpooling from Kingston.
Saturday March 15th, 2025 changed
Sunday March 16, 2025
Ski/Snowshoe/Hike Cataraqui Trail
Cancelled
A few hours of skiing, snowshoeing or hiking depending on the weather, trail conditions and individual preferences with a distance of 10-12 kms. Karen will lead the outing along the Cataraqui trail beginning from Ingrid’s home on Songbird Lane at the northeast end of Sydenham Lake. Arrive at 9:45 for a 10:00 departure. Bring your lunch and a beverage to enjoy in the early afternoon on the trail or later, outside on Ingrid’s deck where a hot beverage will be served. Please be advised that indoor facilities will not be available.
March 22nd, 2025 – Rescheduled to March 23
Charleston Lake hike: Sandstone Island and Shoreline Trails
Type: Hike
Sam has led hikes on these fascinating trails, so it’s my turn to share them with you. You will see interesting geological structures, caves and great shoreline views. If icy, the trail can be treacherous, so bring your “icers” please! Also bring water, snacks and a lunch. The hike should last about 4-5 hours and will be of intermediate difficulty with a distance of about 10 kms.
The park is technically closed, although the road is ploughed up to our meeting place, so you should not need a park pass.
Thursday March 27th, 2025
Leaders’ Roundtable
Join us at The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade Association (RCHA) between 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm for an evening of discussion of trips and policies with Club leaders.
We will also be planning our weekend trips for the next 3-4 months (May-Aug). If you are unable to attend and would like to lead a trip or suggest one, please edit the Teamup Leaders’ Calendar, Trip Drafts for Board Approval (brown) or email events@cataraquicanoe.ca
Thanks and hope to see you there!
Saturday Mar 29th, 2025
Family Hike at Landons Bay
Cancelled
Join us for a morning of exploring the beautiful hiking trails at Landons Bay located in the Thousand Islands National Park. This hike is geared towards families with kids as the distance will be shorter (3-5 kms) and pace slower (2 hours). It includes moderately rugged terrain with beautiful scenery, a picturesque lookout, old growth forests, granite outcroppings and waterfront views.
Parking Info: You will need to park directly across the highway where there is plenty of parking. We will meet at the front gate.
April
** Wednesday April 2nd, 2025 ** POSTPONED … new date April 9 .. see below
Members’ Night and Social Event
Type: Member Presentations
Saturday Apr 5, 2025 – CANCELLED
Tetsmine Trail Loop – Frontenac Park
The Tetsmine Loop starts at Kingsford Dam in the northern part of Frontenac Provincial Park. It is considered to be a moderately challenging loop, at times rugged with a couple of steep climbs or descents. The distance is about 11 km. The hiighlights are many lake views and abandoned Mica mines.
** Wednesday April 9, 2025 **
Members’ Night and Social Event
Type: Member Presentations
We have a number of subjects relating to club activities to be presented in an audio visual format . We will also allow time for members to socialize and get to know each other both prior to the presentations and at intermission. Presenters will be limited to about 15 minutes each on any one topic.
Presentations:
- Discovering water colour paintings by Thomas Burrowes who lived in Kingston Mills when the Rideau Canal was being built. He paddled it many times recording events. He even went to Brockville, Belleville, Napanee, Sydenham and Bob’s Lake back in 1830s on horse back or by canoe.
- Find out about a very useful cell phone app called GAIA for navigation on land or water. You can leave your GPS unit at home.
- Photographic journey of many of our club trips to refresh your memory of the fun times over the last year.
- Intermission.
- Find out about a cell phone app that could save your life. It is called “What 3 Words” which gives precise geographical locations to rescuers which has actually saved one injured hiker in Frontenac Provincial Park last fall.
- Photo show of very popular club camping trips to Schooner Lake, a 2 hour drive north of Kingston. It is a spectacular lake that we have been enjoying for decades.
- Plus, photos from an adventurous trip along the Hart River, Yukon.
Saturday Apr 12, 2025
Bufflehead Trail – Frontenac Park
This trail in Frontenac Park offers stunning views, and abundant wildlife, on a well marked trail. It bisects the Arkon Lake Loop. The rolling terrain has lots of small lakes, streams, and a variety of trees in the hardwood forest. Challenges may be muddy sections, slippery spots, and elevation changes. The highlights are scenic granite ridge of the Canadian shield and beaver ponds NOTE: For each car you must obtain a daily vehicle pass, (free to annual pass holders).
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
RESCHEDULED Hike Cataraqui Trail
Join in for a few hours of hiking along the Cataraqui trail and back (10-12km). Bring your lunch and a beverage to enjoy in the early afternoon on the trail or later. Please be advised that indoor facilities will not be available.
Saturday Apr 19, 2025
Mississauga Creek Paddle
This classic spring creek paddle aims to be before the black fly hatching. Depending on water levels in the creek, we will either paddle up the Mississagua Creek to the headwaters at Buck Lake or we will paddle downstream out into the marshlands and backwaters of Mosquito and Benson Lakes. A full day paddle (~12km) – bring a lunch and water. Some optional hiking to points of interest and group refreshments following the event. Some highlights are the creekside view, to rocky shores and waterfall viewpoints.