Happy Fathers Day Bill!
Leaving the lock wall, we went through a narrow channel lined with old logging cribs, a swing bridge and a break wall to enter Lake Cameron.
Lake Cameron is a small lake, only 4 miles long and 2.5 miles wide. It’s shoreline was covered with cottages, except for the marshy area at the northwest end of the lake.
Moving out into the lake, we entered a short section of the “Ditch” as the locals call it, officially it is called the Trent Canal. This channel was cut by hand in 1904 through the Canadian Shield-in other words, granite- to Lock 35 at Rosedale.
This remote lock is similar to Lovesick, natural forest and a very rural setting. We were serenaded by lots of songbirds as we waited for the lock to open. We locked through with Return, whom we met earlier in the Trent Severn and we rose 4 feet. The town of Rosedale is a fishing hamlet, remote with lots of boats.
Once through the lock, we continued in the man made Trent Canal til we entered Balsam Lake which is the highest point on the Trent Severn, 840 feet above sea level. Balsam is a lake with four bays, labeled north, south, east and west, and large island called Grand Island smack dab in the middle of the lake. We traveled around the south end of Grand Island. You can see by the chart that Grand Island takes up most of the center of the lake. Shared the lake with lots of fishing boats.
Passing through the lake, we enter another section of the Trent Canal in which we could readily see the rock ledges just on the shore and trees so close to the boat you could almost touch them. This part of the Trent Canal led us to Mitchell Lake. Mitchell Lake is quite weedy and the channel through it is well marked.
Two thirds of the way through the canal we came to Kirkfield Lock, Lock 36, the second lift lock in the system. This lock is the first to lower us and it lowers us in a big way- 49 feet. Due to an equipment failure last year, only one tub is operational. The electrical solenoid went bad and the gates would not close. There was a tour boat in the lock and quick thinking on the lock staff averted a big problem. Anyway, the second tub is being repaired and updated. Since they could not use the hydraulics to work the lock, they pump into or drain water out of the system to raise and lower the one tub. It takes 50 minutes to raise/lower the bin the 49 feet. We got to the lock and tied up on the blue line and watched two pontoon boats and a small powerboat get lifted.
Entering the lock with two other motorboats, we finally made our descent. Was a spectacular view!
As we left the lock, we continued in the Trent Canal util it opens into Canal Lake. We transit the entire 5 mile length of this narrow lake. Had to pass slowly through the lake as it is shallow and weedy. Canal Lake is much less developed along the shoreline, mostly marsh and forest and beyond is farmland. Halfway through the Lake, we went through Hole in the Wall bridge and continued on til the end of the Lake.
As Canal Lake narrows we enter the Talbot River and it’s swing bridge. This river reminded us of the Florida Intracoastal except it is forest with lots of homes, decks, and boathouses on both shores.
The Canadians love there water toys.
Midway down the river, we locked through Lock 37, Bolsover and dropped 22 feet.
After the lock, the river narrows down to the Trent Canal again.
We decided to travel through the next two locks in the canal as they are so close together. Lock 38, Talbot, dropping us 14 feet and Lock 39, Portage, dropping us 13 feet to stop at the top of Lock 40, Thorah. This allows us to be closer to Lake Simcoe. It is quite rural here. Our total drop today was 98 feet.
The weather shows it will be a beautiful day tomorrow, with light winds, perfect for crossing the 12-15 miles on the big lake. Let’s hope the weatherman does not change his mind!