CATARAQUI CANOE CLUB EVENTS – 2025
January 2025
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 2025
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)
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 for snowshoers could be possible on Sunday.
Difficulty: intermediate
Duration: 5 hours
Distance: 9 km
Highlights: rugged backcountry scenery