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Canoe practice & short hike at unique Rockwood park! (6/1/2014)

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:
Event Type:Water
Event Location: Rockwood Conservation Area
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Jun 1 2014  10:00 AM  (Carpool Departure: 10:00 AM   *log in for location*)
Registration Cut Off: Thu, May 29 2014 9:00:00 PM
Event Duration:8 hours
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Event Coordinator(s): Christine B
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.
Member Cost:Voluntary Donation Only (See Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 18 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:20
Minimum Group Size:6
Number Registered So Far: 22 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

***I'm posting this event mainly for people who did the recent Learn to Canoe levels 1-2 with me so they can practise their canoeing skills on their own in a cool little lake. But all are welcome.***

Come explore Rockwood Conservation Area, a very small but scenic park about 1.25 hours west of Toronto, near Guelph. The area has a unique geological history that has left it with glacial limestone bluffs, potholes and caves.

Part of the Eramosa River has been dammed up to form a really pretty lake. There’s a sand beach for swimming and picnicking (no lifeguard). The lake itself is small: you could paddle it round trip in less than one hour.

But it has lots of fun areas to explore: limestone cliffs, small coves where you can spot turtles and wild birds if you’re lucky, rock islands with narrow channels you can test your paddling skills by navigating, a small waterfall with a deep pool at the bottom that attracts fishermen, a picturesque ruined mill.

You can rent canoes for a $50 refundable damage deposit (cash or credit card) and an hourly fee – $20/hour for canoe, PFDs, paddles and other gear.

There’s also a gentle walking trail around the lake that takes about an hour. It winds up into some forest to a lookout over the lake, then past the ruined mill and the very cool potholes and limestone cliffs before ending back at the beach.

There’s a concession that sells food and picnic tables at the beach.

There's a fee of $6 a person to the conservation area, which will not be part of the carpool fee. You pay that at the gatehouse on the way in.

We'll meet at the carpool at 10 a.m. (since the subway doesn't start running until 9 on Sundays), drive the 1.25 hours to the park near Guelph, spend about four hours exploring, canoeing, hiking and picnicking, then head home at about 3:30 or 4 ,arriving back at Kipling around 5 or 5:30 p.m.


Required Items to Bring:
  • Water. For the sake of the environment, we encourage you to bring a refillable water bottle.
  • Lunch (unless you intend to buy there).
  • Water shoes, sturdy sandals or running shoes. Bring an extra pair to be kept dry to change into if necessary. Flip flops are NOT recommended if you'll be canoeing.
  • Warm clothing to change into if you're canoeing, in case you flip. You can get cold even on a hot day if you are wet.
  • Complete change of clothes if you'll be canoeing. Keep a dry set in your vehicle.
  • Rain gear if it's a possibility.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Hat and sunglasses.
  • Bug spray (hopefully we won't need it!).
  • Money(for carpool and park entrance fee) - exact change appreciated!!!
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • Snacks. Trail mix, salted nuts, dried fruit, fruit and granola bars are all good.
  • If you wear glasses and plan to canoe, buy and bring a $12 strap for your glasses in case you tip. It's much cheaper than new glasses, believe me!
  • Bathing suit and towel.

    How to Get There:
    Event Directions:We will ALL meet at Kipling Station and carpool. No exceptions, sorry!

    Destination: Rockwood Conservation Area, at 161 Fall Street, Rockwood, ON.

    • We'll meet at the passenger dropoff by the round rotunda on the west end of Kipling TTC Station at 98 St Albans Rd.
    • Head northeast on St Albans Rd 260 m
    • Take the ramp to Kipling Ave 72 m
    • Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Kipling Avenue N and merge onto Kipling Ave 4.3 km
    • Turn left onto Eglinton Ave W 1.3 km
    • Slight right 190 m
    • Keep left at the fork, follow signs for ON-401 W and merge onto ON-401 W
    • Take exit 312 for Regional Road 1 N/Guelph Line N
    • Continue on Guelph Line/Regional Rd 1. Drive to Fall St S in Guelph/Eramosa
    • Merge onto Guelph Line/Regional Rd 1
    • Continue onto County Rd 44 (signs for County Road 44)
    • Turn right onto Alma St/ON-7 (signs for Ontario 7 E)
    • Take the 1st right onto Fall St S
    • Google map directions
      Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):140Km
      Carpool Departure Time: 10:00 AM
      Carpool Location:   Log in for location
      Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
      Carpool Cost: Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $36.12 (calculated at total Km * $0.258, effective Sunday, April 28, 2024). This is based on $0.08/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divide by 9. Your event coordinator will confirm exactly how much money is required from each person.

      Notes:

      - We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines at all times while participating in TOC events.
      - Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.
      - Questions about equipment or rentals? Send them to safety@torontooutdoorclub.com.
      - Notice any errors or problems in the information on this page? Please notify our Content Editor(s), Stacy, at content@torontooutdoorclub.com.

      Cost Includes:Apart from carpool costs, all fees are to be paid directly by participant to the park. It's $6 a person to enter the park. If you want to canoe, it's $20/hour for you and your paddling partner to split for the rental.
       
      Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
      Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.

      Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
      Please review our Cancellation Policy carefully!