June 22, 2013 - Grand River (Cambridge to Paris)

Route: Cambridge to Paris (along the Grand River)

Distance: 21km
Time: 3h 40m

Canoe: 16'6' Kevlar Prospector
Map: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=213700366795724923502.0004dffc8eb0c9ff970d1&msa=0

Cambridge to Paris ON along the Grand River

We had an ambitious day-trip planned which involved a triathlon of activities: driving, canoeing and biking.  Our plan for the day was to paddle from Cambridge to Paris along the Grand River, pick up our bikes in Paris and bike back to Cambridge where the Partay-van was parked.  

We started at the put-in just next to the Petro-Canada (200 Water Street) located just outside of Cambridge.  We started off with a quick bite to eat of packed tuna fish sandwiches.  They were a combination of tuna, celery, capers, and onions...its a good thing it was just JizFree on this trip together.  

Smell my breathe.

The sky was threatening rain, so we were eager to set out and start our paddle.  And after about five minutes on the river, the scenery and beauty of the river took over.  In fact, about 10 minutes after starting out, we saw a deer on the river bank.  

View of the Grand River

Keep on paddling!  We are out of control!

The paddle itself was a great intro to slightly faster water with a variety of shallows, rocks and small rapids.  We learned quite few lessons:

• How to read the river in order to avoid rocks, paddle into deeper water and avoid getting caught in shallows
• The impact of shifting weight in the canoe especially when the heavier weight is located up-river to the current
• The difficulty that cross-winds can make when steering
• Communication.  Got do it...for realz.

Water levels on the Grand River were quite low.  In fact, on many sections we had to walk the canoe over the shallow rocks:

A cool break in the Grand River

Closer to Paris, we encountered a few more paddlers and anglers.  But overall, the trip was quiet and free of other paddlers. 

We made it!  The rail-bridge at Paris

The dam at Paris...don't get too close

Paris Ontario

The take-out at Paris is underneath the rail bridge just north of the dam.  Large white warning buoys inform paddlers not to go past the bridge as getting caught in the dam and its undertow has had fatal consequences in the past.  Locating the portage and take-out at the bridge was very easy (located on the left-side of the river bank underneath the bridge).

After pulling our canoe out of the water the second leg of our trip was to begin: the bike ride back to Cambridge. The route back to Cambridge was a 20km ride along the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail.  This trail follows alongside the Grand River and is relatively flat and well groomed.  We passed only a handful of other bikers and joggers, and we were able to cover the distance in just over an hour.  About 15 minutes from reaching the Partay-van, the threatening skies of the morning finally opened up and dumped on us, but the rain was a refreshing way to finish our sweaty ride.  

A wonderful day to spend with JizFree and a great warm-up to our upcoming French River trip in a couple of weeks.  Check out the new decal on JF7:

No leaks...new flag