Thu, Jun 4 2009, Fri, Jun 5 2009, Sat, Jun 6 2009, Sun, Jun 7 2009 - Canoe the French River Figure 8 Loop (View Original Event Details)
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The trip started off in Toronto (at Downsview station) on Thursday night at 5 pm for most of us. Needless to stay the traffic was not helping. So may van load stopped at the Tim Hortin/Wendy’s (heading up the 400) for supper and waited out the traffic. Back on the road and about 3 hours later we were looking for our campsites (#308&309) at Grundy park. Nobody around! Not even the park staff! We were the first to arrive from our group. It was a beautiful night; cold and no bugs to speak of. Soon enough the other 3 cars showed up and all 12 of us enjoyed a nice campfire. Friday morning was a quick pack up to drive over to Hartley Bay Marina to pick up our canoes and park permits. On the water we headed west to Wanapitei Bay, where we met a firm head wind from the south. It was going to be an effort. Matt had an old map that showed an Indian burial ground (which my 2007 did not). So Matt/Diane, Suzan/Sue and Mark/Gary went off to check it out heading west via the Western Outlet to Thompson/Mary’s Bay area. The rest of the canoes headed to Dalles Rapids and campsite#623. Well, we did not find any bones, but had a slightly buggy lunch stop at the Indian burial site. Back on the water we turned around and headed for our first campsite. Mark and I were heading south against a stiff headwind (via the Main Channel) and saw 3 canoes ahead making the turn at the Elbow(about a K ahead). Could that be our group? Can’t be! They are at least 1.5 hours in front of us. A few more K’s, just before our portage, at Dalles Rapids, it is our group! The campsite was great, just the way I remember it from 2 years ago. Nobody around we had the whole camp area to our selves. The campsite&portage runs next to the Dalles Rapids. These rapids are about 100 meters long and 30 meters wide with multiple 1.5 meter high standing waves that run its length. Beautiful to watch. We set up our tents, some on the rocks and some in the woods. Have a look at the photos. Matt decided to camp at the next portage with Sue/Suzan/Diane (180 meters)(not on the new 2007 map, but indicated on the old map). Both campsites were buggy (perfect breathing grounds for black flies). On Saturday morning we woke up to blue sky. Matt was busy lining his crews canoes down the first set of rapids we decided it might be easier to just portage the 180 meters. For the final set of rapids (mixture of R2 and R1) we felt they were fairly straight forward and would run them. So Mark/Gary were the Ginny pigs. No problem! Next!. Kari and Linda D. were next, perfectly lined up. What pros! Linda C. and Christine were next, good entrance to the R2. HANDS ON YOUR PADDLE, CHRISTINE. Ok they made it! Diane and Matt, in the slot, no problem! Suzan and Sue where next. HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!. There heading too far to the right. Ok, try to remember the international hand signal for REVERSE ENGINES, FULL SPEED, ok their turning, I think their ok. Suzan’s not paddling, and their slowly reversing down the wrong rapids. PADDLE THAT WAY (ie up stream). Ok there out of trouble. Back up to the pond, start the turn. FASTER. Ok now there heading for the left rapid but sideways. PADDLE. ok there lined up. All systems go! Start filming. Looks good, through the R2, through the R1 they made it. Eddy turn to the left and 180 barrel roll. CANOE RESUE MODE. Well that was exciting. Girls stop fooling around, put some dry clothes on and let’s get going. Next stop is campsite#713 for lunch and a short hike to find the original site of the old French River Village (once a thriving lumber community 1875-1922). Back on the water we round Bluff Point and start to see the big waves of Georgian Bay. Luckily, it is only about 500 meters to the next island for shelter. A few more jumps and we’re in more friendly waters. Through the labyrinth of islands we decide to camp on Obstacle Island (campsite#718). There is nobody around except for a few small fishing boats, once in a while passing bye. The island is wind blown which keeps the flies away, but also has some tree cover to provide some protection. Some of us went for a swim since the sun was out. The water was cold but you could stay a few minutes in it. Oh, Suzan and Sue already know that!.. Great campsite, we are all together for the last night. Everything has to be eaten and drunk to lighten the load for tomorrows portage. Ok it is only 240 meters! But I like the eating and drinking part. We all had a great time telling stories and arguing which way Suzan and Sue barrel rolled. (We need photo evidence to solve this mystery) . The plan on Sunday was to start out around 8’ish. The weather was overcast and very calm. There was hardly a ripple on the water and Mark and I headed out for a little 3km explore as we waited for the group. We worked our way east generally flowing a marked boating channel. By 8:50 am everyone was ready to go. Up the Bass Creek. We had to paddle up a few swifts and we made it to the portage (P240), which takes you upstream into Bass Lake. A gentle head wind from the north, provide some resistance (but nothing like Friday’s wind) with a sprinkle to keep your feet slight damp. We worked our way up to The Elbow, and turned east to the Whales Month, then north up the Eastern Outlet. We stopped insight of Canel Island at campsite#629 for lunch. It was a little cold, which motivated us to get going again. Heading north between various islands (via Tug Channel) we found ourselves back in Wanapitei Bay and about 1 hour later back at the marina. We packed up and headed to the highway for an early supper at the local restaurant. Some of us would have like to go to the French River museum, but it was closed. A few hours latter we were back in Toronto. It was a great trip with lots of good company. See you all soon! Gary.
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Erik Sonstenes at photos@torontooutdoorclub.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.