Site
Frontenac Provincial Park to Chaffey's locks, Davis Locks
to Jones Falls Route: via private (must have permission) portage from Devil Lake at Bedford Mills, into Loon Lake, to Mosquito Lake to Indian Lake to
Chaffey's locks
to Opinicon Lake to Davis Lock to Sand Lake to
Jones Falls. (Ref. Topographical Map 31C/9).
Water
Devil Lake, Loon Lake, Mosquito Lake, Indian Lake, Opinicon
Lake, Sand Lake.
Getting There
Start points are either the boat launch point at the south end of Big Salmon Lake, in Frontenac Provincial Park, or, if you wish to skip the park altogether, then you may launch from Bedford Mills. Again, note that you must have permission. The launch point is on private property.
Notes
All GPS coordinates are approximate.
See Paddle_Route_5 for details on how to paddle from Frontenac Provincial park into Devil Lake and to Bedford Mills.
Once at Bedford Mills, and via a private (must have permission) portage from Devil Lake at Bedford Mills, into Loon Lake.
As you enter Loon Lake there is a large point of land on your right. Paddle in a north easterly direction around this point of land then head south westerly toward a channel between the point of land and the big island to your south called Scott Island. Keep paddling in a southerly direction and you will enter into Mosquito Lake.
Follow the shoreline to your left down Scott Island and it will take you out into Indian Lake. Proceed in a south westerly direction to the channel leading into Chaffey's Lock (GPS: N 44 34.704 W 76 19.182).
There is a short portage around Chaffey's Lock into Opinicon Lake. Paddle in a south easterly direction paralleling the boat channel (note markers) and you will come to Davis Lock (GPS: N 44 33.773 W 76 17.542).
After a short portage around Davis Lock you enter into Sand Lake. Follow the southern shoreline and paddle to the north of a big island, called Birch Island. Note that there is no entrance, without a portage, into the south side of Birch Island.
Again, paralleling the boat channel (note markers) continue to paddle down to the northern end of Jones Falls. There is a set of low wood docks before you enter the channel into the locks. (GPS: N 44.32.916 W 76 14.271)
There is a small parking lot a short distance from the docks. (GPS: N 44 32.920 W 76 14.165)
Sight Seeing
The locks at Chaffey's and Davis and Jones are very picturesque but can also be very busy in boating season. Take care to watch for various power boats. A great deal of traffic moves back and forth through this passage.
Wildlife in the area includes blue heron, osprey, loons, frogs, turtles and of course fish.
All of the locks offer camping. The lock stations offer clean washrooms, picnic tables and barbecue grills. You don't need a big boat to stay overnight at a lock, you are free to pitch a tent on the well manicured lawns. The cost to camp is very reasonable. More information on the locks may be found at the following location:
http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/welcome.html
At Chaffey's Lock there is a museum. Also very close to the lock is the Opinicon Lodge. This is a very popular place to eat and to stay. They also have a small general store should you need provisions. The area is open during the same time frame as the Rideau Canal System.
As you paddle from Chaffey's Lock to Davis Lock, if you look to your right as you paddle through Murphy's Bay, you will see a large island. On the other side of the island, on the mainland, is the Queens University Biological Research Station (GPS: N44 33.912 W 76 19.422. At many places on Opinicon Lake the research station has set up study areas. These areas are both in marshy areas and in open water as pens. They have also created nesting grounds for loons.
Davis Lock is on of the most isolated locks on the Rideau Canal System. It is located at the end of a road that runs from Highway 15 at Elgin, Ontario.
As you reach the far end of Sand Lake and enter into the channel that takes you to Jones Falls, there is a marina. This is called Sand Lake Marina and again is a busy spot servicing the residence of Birch Island and the other people on Sand Lake.
As you come to Jones Falls you will pass under a large bridge (county road 11) and enter a bay. At the far end of the bay on the left side are docks that you can exit the water. This is at the northern end of the of the Jones Falls Locks. The locks consist of 4 locks with a "turning basin". It is a strenuous and long portage to go around these locks.
Jones Falls has many interesting items to see. They have recreated many of the events such as the blacksmith shop and other attractions. At the bottom of the locks, as you enter into the next lake, there is the Kenny Hotel (GPS: N 44 32.698 W 76 14.148), a very popular place to eat and stay. They also have souvenirs and light snack shops.