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Trent Severn Waterway road trip
The Trent Severn Waterway connects lake Huron to lake Ontario.
It's about 386 kilometers long and has 45 locks that allow for the passage of watercraft between the rivers, lakes and canals that make the waterway. Most people use their own boats or rent houseboats to transverse the waterway. We decided to do a road trip emulating the waterway as much as possible, this allows for side trips to local villages and points of interest accessible by car. Doing the road trip in reverse order by starting at lock 45 Port Severn. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2fb337853f.jpg Port Severn lock 45 https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3abba59a54.jpg Most locks look like this one. A boat enters the lock, the gate is closed, the water is raised or lowered to the level of the next body of water. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8f9ec21c3.jpeg Lock entrance/ exit and swing bridge, the bridge is on rails allowing it to move for the passage of boats https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4cb353f359.jpg Detail of the swing bridge rail that allows it to rotate. Next stop Big Chute |
Big Chute isn't a lock but rather a marine railway.
It's interesting to see the railway platform enter the water pick up the boats and transfer them to the next lake. The road to the Big Chute is surrounded by nature and we stopped along to appreciate it. The Big Chute Marina has a restaurant, we had the fish sandwich - delicious. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...596b7245b2.jpg Road to the Big Chute https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4c332d768d.jpg Small lake with beaver lodge - the pile of sticks in the water. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...729ee7cf49.jpg White's Falls https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...738cbb8fdd.jpg Geese crossing at the Big Chute https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1c39af03f5.jpg Marine Railway platform, close up of cables and pulleys used to operate it. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ed0e07d7bb.jpg Boats being loaded into the Marine Railway platform. A sling system holds the boats in place and level. Notice how the rails continue submerged in the water. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...405b7b5a44.jpg The Marine Railway platform crossing the road https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0879dfe3fb.jpg The last boat seems to be falling off but it's properly secured. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...09c430315d.jpg Marine Railway platform going to the next lake that is much lower https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...81fb518eaf.jpg Walkway beside the Big Chute https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4d9dcc8395.jpg Beside the Big Chute water overflow area |
Wow! Very interesting! I never heard of the Big Chute. What an interesting concept. A great engineering feat. Exactly where is this in Canada?
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Karen Woo
The Big Chute is in the province of Ontario, about 3 hours north of Toronto. The largest town nearby is Orillia. |
Next we stopped at a side of the road museum in Coldwater.
It's a bit of a mix from farm equipment to an old school. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9e29abbf5.jpeg Coldwater heritage museum https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b9dc862b6.jpeg Antique steam tractor https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...85f167c22.jpeg Interesting wheels, road tires on the front and small tractor wheels on the rear, an interesting adaption for rural use. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9c5dcdb5c.jpeg Blacksmith shop https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...84638f1dc.jpeg Antique carriage https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f681b5765.jpeg Museum buildings https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fd3def492b.jpg Old store https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...62fcd77b3.jpeg Antique electrical hair curler. Scary, Medusa immediately came to mind. |
Hi aulop
Thanks for the trip report. Living in Quebec, I’m always seeking travel ideas in the adjacent province, as I find Ontario offers an interesting contrast and is workable for a few day getaway. I’ve not been to the part of the province you explored this trip; other than the Niagara peninsula, I’ve only been to points Toronto and east. The license plate motto “Ontario, yours to discover” I find could not be more accurate as I’ve been discovering with each visit how much left I indeed do have to discover…even in the southeastern part I know best! Best wishes, Daniel |
Daniel_Williams
I'm glad you're enjoying the trip report, maybe some of the info will be useful for your future trips. Travelling is one of the joys of life and Canada has so much to offer. I've only recently decided to start posting trip reports. Last year I did a road trip from Ontario to Prince Edward Island, and did a quick stop in Montreal and overnight in Quebec city - really enjoyed the old city, and had some great food. This year we did an extended trip to Portugal and now we're doing the Trent Severn Waterway road trip. As the old saying says: Travel adds to life Happy travels |
Orillia
On our way to the next lock stopped in Orillia for coffee and pastries. The Mariposa Market has the feel of a bygone era but done very tastefully. The pastries were delicious and well worth the stop . https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...914e7e3be3.jpg Mariposa Market streetfront. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...617fa21bf0.jpg Mariposa Market https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...463759ecbd.jpg The market also has sandwiches and lunch items https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b895e232ae.jpg The sweets got me |
Kirkfield
The Kirkfield lock is quite interesting and different from most locks on the Waterway. It consists of a lockable water platform that is raised or lowered by a massive piston, same principle on a auto garage lift but on a much bigger scale. A boat enters the platform, the gate is closed, the platform is raised or lowered by the piston to the next body of water where the gate is opened and the boat continues on its way. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...aea6c70bdc.jpg Kirkfield lock platform on highest position https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c4a17424b1.jpg The roofline of the boat inside the platform becomes visible as the platform is lowered. Piston under the platform is also visible. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d895a970e.jpeg Platform at lowest position, gate opened , boat continues on its voyage |
Kawartha Lakes
Because not every town along the Waterway has a hotel we choose Kawartha Lakes as a base to visit some of the nearby locks and explore Kawartha Lakes itself. Part of the Trans Canada Trail or Great Trail goes through Kawartha Lakes and we took the opportunity to explore a small portion of the trail. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d001989b5.jpeg Farm silos in Kawartha Lakes https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d45cf2278.jpeg This silo is gigantic, compare the size with the trailer to the left https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f4d396a492.jpg Canola (?) field in bloom https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4475b09e7.jpeg Wildflowers in bloom along the trail https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0af8d5f7f.jpeg Shady forested section of the trail https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...256d3c3a0.jpeg Ferns on the shady section of the trail https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...16bbea58cf.jpg Along side the Scugog river there is a paved path for walking and cycling https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ad5b629b50.jpg Front row seat to nature https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0309e3e89b.jpg The paved path ends at the lock https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b3cd6b4bf3.jpg House boat leaving the lock |
Coboconk, Fenelon Falls, Bobcaygeon
Coboconk has Canada's smallest jail - rumor is that the builder didn't mortar all the stones so prisoners could escape. Canada's highest navegable water summit is in Coboconk - third highest in the world. Not to be confused with mountain streams that aren't navegable. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...840d8b3ac9.jpg Canada's smallest jail https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...105f38e361.jpg Canada's highest navegable water summit Fenelon Falls is another small town along the Waterway https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...550f8e31af.jpg The Falls at Fenelon Falls The building in the background is a restaurant with a good view of the falls https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d964ea2720.jpg Section of the lock bridge https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...aa5e52c51.jpeg Lock gate https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f5325e1e5.jpeg Colorful waterfront cottages near the Lock https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7ea07d18e.jpeg Butterfly shaped bench in the park at the Lock Bobcaygeon is not only the name a song by the group Tragically Hip, it is also a small town in cottage country https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...49db1608b0.jpg Bobcaygeon waterfront cottages https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a0f97970af.jpg Houseboat waiting it's turn to go in the Lock https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...efbf5ec893.jpg Approach to the Lock https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...44f2a0966.jpeg At this time of the year Canada geese are very visible https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8c5b568d1.jpeg Bobcaygeon has a small but nice waterfront trail park https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ad6a2191ac.jpg Bobcaygeon beach |
Peterborough
Peterborough has the highest platform lift lock in the Waterway, similar to Kirkfield lock . Peterborough is the largest city along the Waterway with all the amenities, hotels , restaurants, shops, traffic, etc. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3d5d10ba0.jpeg Peterborough lift lock https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2e5a96171.jpeg View of the lift platform and supporting towers https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2f0f63530.jpeg Inside the lock tunnel https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2930dcd1c3.jpg Towers and road tunnel https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2b1178391c.jpg Mineral deposits from water seeping into the tunnel https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8ff3013cb.jpeg Boat on dry dock at the top of the lock. This boat does hour long cruises cruises to view the lock. |
Hastings and Campbellford
Hastings is a small village in the Waterway with a side of the road attraction - a realistic sculpture of a fish made of stainless steel. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6d2055f8b2.jpg Stainless steel fish sculpture Campbellford In Campbellford we discovered the chocolate factory by chance, took a wrong turn that turned out to be the right turn. Chocolates used for promotions and fund raising are made here. Inside the store they sell those and chocolate gift baskets. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...47820a91aa.png Chocolate factory https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fd853955a1.jpg Chocolate gift baskets https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8c0147f0b5.jpg Campbellford waterfront park $2 dollar coin https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ccd81b7ca5.jpg Suspension bridge over the river. The bridge was built by army engineers. Even though it's a suspension bridge it feels sturdy and solid. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...60775a1b8f.png Outside of Campbellford we found Empire cheese, a local cheese co-op. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4561e5d922.jpg Empire cheese store |
Trenton Lock1
Because we are doing our trip in reverse order we are ending at the beginning Trenton Lock1. While in Trenton we went to the airbase to see their museum and the Quinte museum that while small it has some interesting skeletons. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4d9ca94e8c.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bdb8a4d74.jpeg Lock 1 of the Trent Severn Waterway. Some kayakers were using the Lock canal https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4f15f9a66c.jpg Houseboats waiting to use the Lock https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a0b4e704c5.jpg Airbase museum - this is a Halifax airplane https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...84e200d45.jpeg Rear of the Halifax https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8894e83c8f.jpg The gears on a rotary engine https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c712eea8ad.jpg Airbase museum https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f89941d324.jpg Quinte museum, apparently this is the largest TRex skull ever found https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0647e07548.jpg Quinte museum |
The Trent Severn Waterway can only accommodate relatively small boats, but we also wanted to see the large ocean-going ships transit through the locks.
We had enough time to go to the Welland Canal in Port Colborne to see them. The ones we saw only had a few inches to spare on either side of the canal. Stayed at a beachfront cottage resort Sherkston Shores. It has two beaches , swimming pool,waterslide, minigolf, restaurant and it's mostly park cottages( trailers) and an area for a small number of RV. One of the beaches has dunes and the water is shallow - good for children. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7aed80768e.jpg Large ship on the canal, only inches to spare on either side. On the background the lift bridge can be seen. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d03fa6c742.jpg Welland Canal Lock 8 at Port Colborne https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0cfe346b39.jpg Sherkston Shores beachfront cottages https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...289b62bf19.jpg Sherkston Shores beach with dunes That is the end of our Trent Severn Waterway road trip. Next will be Michigan to Florida road trip. |
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