The Rideau Trail Association

RTA
P.O. Box 15
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 4V6

1-613-545-0823

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 the most recent changes to the trail as described in the most recent Trail Guidebook. As of June 2006, the 7th edition is the current guidebook.

There are presently three changes to the trail with respect to 7th Edition of the guidebook:

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.

Change #2

Timm Moodie Reroute 3.2 km (6.0 km abandoned)

July 07 temporary reroute until approx. 2009. Avoid construction at the underpass crossing of highway 417. Turn right on Timm Dr then left on Moodie Dr. Cross highway 417 on the Moodie overpass. The reroute rejoins the trail at the intersection of Corkstown Rd. Great care should be taken when walking along the cycle path beside Moodie Dr.

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.

Greens Road to Joy’s Road Reroute

The trail continues NorthEast on the Jock Trail Road past the end of the paved road for another 600 metres to a junction where a shelter and dry toilets operated by the local snowmobile clubs can be seen on the right. Opposite the shelter at km. 252.1, the trail takes the fork to the left (North) along the snowmobile trail for 100 metres, then turns left (West) into a mixed bush of red maple, bur oak, ash, balsam fir and basswood. This is a moist open area with wetland plants, including monkey flower and closed gentian. It then curves generally to the right, then left (SouthWest) and, after 500 metres, reaches a T-junction. Here the trail turns right onto Franktown Road which it follows for 3.1 km. then turns right down Joys Road. This is followed for 1.4 km. until the trail turns left (North) onto Ottawa Street.

Printable versions (in PDF format) are available:

Printable version of Change #1 and Change #2
Printable version of Change #3

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.

Thanks to Ernie Trischuk for preparing these updates.

HIKE ROCK DUNDER !

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