|
Changes to the Trail
The path of the Rideau Trail crosses private property,
conservation areas, provincial park property and federal land; none of
this land belongs to the Rideau Trail Association.
From time to time it becomes necessary to alter the
route of
the trail, sometimes at the request of the actual landowner in a
particular area. Such a request may arise simply from a change in
ownership of a property, or sometimes as a result of abuse by
unthinking hikers of the privilege of access granted to the RTA. As
well, changes may occur in order to enhance the appeal of the trail,
as when the trail is moved off a roadway and into a bush or wooded
area, or when an area becomes unpleasant to hike due to regular
flooding.
On this page are listed changes to the
trail
as described in the most recent Trail Guidebook. As of June 2006, the
7th edition is the current guidebook.
Printable versions (in PDF format) are also available below. They're
designed to be printed on legal-sized paper (8.5" by 14"),
punched, folded and added to your guidebook
binder. If you don't need them to fit the binder, then it should also
be possible to print these on letter-sized paper.
|
Change #1
|
 |
|
McLaren Reroute 7.2 km (3.9 km
abandoned)
Avoids the mica mines. Go N 2.3 km from Long Lake Road, the trail now
turns to the West at a disused trail message box joining Powers Road
for 1.2 km before a right turn onto Narrows Locks Road. March 1.6 km
and turn right on Stanley Road for 2.7 km to McLaren Lake Road. Turn
right on Stanley Road for 2.7 km to McLaren Lake Road. Turn right on
McLaren Lake Road for 1.6 km and make a left turn toward Ferrier Road.
At this point you have rejoined the old route Northbound to Ferrier
Road.
Printable version of Change
#1 |
|
Change #2
|
|
Timm Moodie Reroute
The detour utilizing Timm Rd has been removed. The trail reverts to the
original path under highway 417 on out to Moodie Dr and Corkstown
Rd.
|
|
Change #3
|
="">
(larger image) |
|
Ruffed Grouse Reroute
The trail heads north from the bush road (Concession Road VIII) near
the RTA lot. The trail then crosses open fields before entering heavy
mixed bush of cedar, poplar and birch, along an old track between two
swamps then follows the old bush road around several bends and heads
north to Kettles Road. Here the trail turns left (SouthWest) and
crosses the railway and Nichols Creek.
|
|
Green's Road to Franktown Road
The trail leaves Greens Rd to travel approx 140
metres down the Jock Trail. The trail turns north and follows under a
power line to the first Hydro tower. Here the trail turns left to
follow a northwest direction into a mature wooded area. The trail winds
through the woods and down a farmers lane approx 1/2 Km to come to a
style at the end of an open field. Following east on the edge of the
field to the next style the trail then heads out to about the middle of
the field towards a bridge crossing a small stream and heads
straight east to the edge of the field and another style. The trail
then turns left (north) and follows the unopened road allowance to
Franktown Rd.
Printable version of Change
#3 |
|
Change #4
|

(larger
image) |
|
Richmond Village
The trail crosses Franktown Rd and continues up Conley Rd for 3 Km. At
Bleeks Rd it turns right. It follows the gravel road for 1 Km. The
gravel road becomes a dirt track crossing the Ken Prior Bridge and
continues for 3 more Km to Huntly Rd. The trail continues straight
along Brownlee Rd (gravel) for 1 Km to Shea Rd where the trail turns
right for 1.5 Km on a paved road to Garvin Rd. It turns left onto
Garvin Rd and ends up on a tract leading to Eagleson Rd. At Eagleson it
turns right and then left onto a 1.5 Km track on an unopened road
allowance to Richmond Rd. The trail turns left onto Richmond Rd and
then right over the bridge at Twin Elm. At the next intersection it
turns left along a farm road for 1.4 Km along the right (east) bank of
the Jock river, then crosses the river over a seasonal farm bridge onto
Steeplehill Crescent. Note
that during the winter, early spring and fall the winter bypass along
Richmond Rd and Steeplehill Crescent should be taken.
Richmond Blue Loops
A number of Blue loops have been developed in the Richmond area. The
combination of routes through here is endless. The trails cover parks,
a conservation area and town streets. All are leisurely level 1 outings.
Note:
One of these loops incorporates a section of Joy's Rd. When starting in
this section do not park at the dead end of Joy's Rd. Rather park near
the intersection of Garvin Rd and Joy's Rd.
Printable version of Change
#4 |
|
Change #8
|

(larger
image)
Merrickville Reroute
The old blue
loop going through Merrickville has been changed to be part of the main
trail with a reroute from Burritt's Rapids to Heaphy road. Here is a detailed description
including some historic information.
|
Printable version of Change
#8 |
|
Change #9
|
Schoolhouse and Loops Closed
|
The schoolhouse and the trails known as the Schoolhouse Loops (on map
17 of the Trail Guide) are no longer maintained by the Rideau Trail
Association. The City-owned property around the schoolhouse is still
accessable to the public, including RTA members, for hiking, snowshoing
and skiing, although it is uncertain how long the schoolhouse itself
will be left open.
|
|
Change #10
|
Where the Rideau Trail leaves the
K&P Trail just north of McIvor Rd
|
Where the Rideau Trail leaves the K&P Trail just north of
McIvor
Rd, a no tresspassing sign has been posted by the Landowner. This is to
discourage non hikers, and people on bikes from entering and travelling
on the Rideau Trail. Bill agreed with the landowner that Rideau Trail
Hikers will go where the markers direct them.
|
|
Change #11
|
The tunnel at the railway station
in Kingston
|
The tunnel at the railway station in Kingston is open only during
business hours. (The trail goes under the tracks.)
|
|
Change #12
|

Earthstar Reroute
|
Printable version of Change
#12 |
Rock Dunder! A soaring lookout over the Rideau Waterway, and
a local
landmark for generations. Well-marked trails through mature
woodlands,
following shorelines and finally climbing to the rocky summit.
Part of the Rideau
Waterways Land Trust, trail development and maintenance by
the Rideau Trail Association.
This magnificent site was owned for generations by the Boy Scouts of Canada.
In 2005 it was purchased by the Rideau
Waterways Land Trust and is now available for hiking
through their kindness. Please help them in their conservancy
efforts by treating Rock Dunder with full respect! There is no charge
to use these trails.
About 6 km. in two loops. Mostly moderate, BUT with some
challenging sections on the shore-ward side. Estimated hike duration:
2-3 hours.
Getting There:
Rock Dunder is located just south of Morton on Highway #15, about 25
Km. from Gananoque, and 35 Km from the 401 junction with Hwy #15.
From Gananoque:
North on CR #32
to Hwy #15 , then right on Hwy #15.
Proceed almost to Morton. Just south of the Morton road sign,
on your left, is STANLEY LASH LANE. Take Stanley Lash Lane to the large
parking lot at the top.
From Kingston: take Hwy 15 north, then follow appropriate
directions above.
Suggested Outing:
Rock Dunder is a satisfying half-day hike. The summit is a great place
for a picnic.
Combine with a trip to the historical Rideau Canal locks at Jones
Falls, just a few Km. beyond Rock Dunder. (Drive North
through Morton, turn left on Jones Fall Road.)
Have picnic lunch by the locks, or dine at the Kenney Resort (full
restaurant or snack bar).
The locks and the magnificent dam at Jones Falls are awesome feats of
frontier engineering, and there are good interpretative kiosks.
Thanks to John Cornish for the information about Rock Dunder
| If
you
need software to open .PDF files then you can get it (free) from Adobe. |
 |
Pages, logos, text and images contained on
this website may not be published separately, in hard copy or
electronically, without the express written permission of their
owners. Copyright © Rideau Trail Association terms of use
|