Kayak
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magine that magic moment when you finally hit the water and take your first paddle stroke of the day. All preparations are finished, and city cares seem a long way behind you. Your thoughts fill with anticipation of an enjoyable trip. You can almost smell the cool, clean air, and feel the excitement of this new river you’re poised to explore. Flat-water paddlers wanting to taste a relaxing, day-long adventure a little farther from their usual haunts can find it on the Gatineau River at Low, Quebec. (See our “How to Get There” sidebar for details where to park your car and where to locate the put-in point to start your adventure.)
www.OttawaOutdoors.ca
This stretch of river is still quite remote and undeveloped. The scarcity of cottages and road access points makes for a peaceful trip. The surrounding countryside is mostly forested, with the occasional farm tossed in to make the scene more interesting. Because loggers used the river for log driving every spring until relatively recently, you’ll still find many deadheads poking out of the water. These are bad for fast-moving boats, but no trouble for slow-moving kayaks. Some of the deadheads are floating on the surface, some are submerged, but the most dangerous ones are jammed into the river bottom on
an angle. So keep your eyes peeled as you paddle. What would make a nice day-trip destination? Head for Isle du Plomb. It’s about an 18-kilometre round trip. Plan to paddle for three to four hours total, depending on how fast you like to cruise. Of course, add extra time for swimming and exploring. You’ll find lots of small, interesting islands in your path. I didn’t notice any sandy beaches, but several islands have cleared public campsites – ideal for a picnic lunch and a swim if other campers aren’t already occupying them. (You may camp overnight on these sites if you want, on a first-come basis. No payment is required.)
O t t a w a O u t d oo r s S P R I N G
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