Trent Severn Waterway Part 2

Lakefield to Lovesick 

A brief stop at Young’s Point for yummy, salted  caramel ice cream for Susann & chocolate for Alan. Kawartha ice cream in Ontario is comparable to Blue Bell is to Texans. Both equally delicious. Thankfully, calories don’t count on vacation.

Stony Lake, one of my favorite stretches on the waterway. One can see from the pictures why it is named Stony Lake.

The small church on this island is over 100 years old and is only accessible by boat.

Lovesick Lock

This remote lock station on the island is our favorite stop on this waterway. It is remote, beautiful and tranquil. During July & August, there is often no dockage space available. 

This year, boat traffic seems to be down, and once again, we were fortunate enough to get a spot on the upper level. 

Lovesick – Bobcaygeon

It was a rainy morning when we departed Lovesick with remnants from Hurricane Beryl. We encountered showers as we tied up on the upper wall at Bobcaygeon Lock. Walked the short distance into town and enjoyed a late lunch at “Just for the Halibut”.

After lunch, we wandered the town and spent some time in the famous Bigley store, notorious for its amazing and extensive shoe selection. Who doesn’t need another pair of shoes? Bigleys must be working towards a monopoly since it owns numerous Bigley stores, all merchandising different wares, ranging from ice-cream, shoes, swim wear and more.

Bobcaygeon – Fenlon Falls

After a quiet but rainy night aboard, we departed on a sunny morning to hook up with good friends Tim & Jan in Fenlon Falls. 

We spent 3 nights at their waterfront home and enjoyed much laughter and reminiscing. George & Jane, also former boating buddies joined us for an afternoon visit while in town.

Fenlon Falls to Talbot, lock 38

Kirkfield Lift-Lock 36

The view as we descend down.

Exiting the lift lock at the lower end. Note the opposite basin is up bound.

The KirkfieldLift Lock is the same as the Peterborough Lift Lock. This time we were on a down lock. Entering one basin and being lowered down while the opposing basin lifts up.

Our travel day was cut short due to an impending, severe looking storm. We stopped at Talbot Lock for the night just before the heavens opened up.

This lock, like most on the system is manually operated. The crank on the lock gates raises or opens the flood gate and the gates are manually opened by the wheel below.

The next morning, we left to cross Lake Simcoe. 

Heading out into Lake Simcoe

A 30-mile run across Lake Simcoe, which can be quite treacherous if the winds are not calm and favorable. The skies all around were demonstrating that severe storms were imminent. Luckily, we escaped the storms and continued our travels in the lock system to Swift Rapids, Lock 43 and power generating dam.

Sparrow Lake

A rainy day

Swift Rapids power generating dam

At 47' this is the deepest single-chamberered lock on the system.

Swift Rapids to Port Severn

What a difference a day makes! A beautiful, sunny morning with a gentle, rustling, cool breeze, just enough to keep us refreshed.

The scenery was captivating as we headed to Big Chute Marine Railway, lock #44. 

Big Chute Marine Railway is the most unique of all the locks on the Trent Severn. While its function is like all other locks; lifting or lowering the boat, the marine railway is more like a slow roller coaster.

The cradle, on rails lowers into the water, boats drive into large slings that are tightened to secure the boat in the cradle. Once loaded, the cradle slowly starts its descent or ascent, whichever the case may be. 

Knot Kaos heading into the cradle

The boat is secured in the cradle

Let the journey begin, across the road, over and down to the lake below.

Down we go!

It is quite a view as one descends the 58’ below.

Exiting the cradle at the bottom

Heading up empty and ready to do it all over again.

Once securely docked at destination, the slings are lowered and boats depart, then the process begins again.

Lock 45 at Port Severn is the last lock on the Trent Severn before descending the final 12’ into Georgian Bay.

Lock 1 through lock 35 on the Trent, raised us a total of 739’ and lock 36 through lock 45 lowered us a total of 261’.

This was our final lock for this season! 

Since our departure, almost 3 months earlier, we have transited 69 locks. This includes the Dismal Swamp, the Erie and Oswego Canals and finally the Trent Severn, which included the Peterborough and Kirkfield lift locks and the Big Chute Marine Railway.

Next stop, Georgian Bay!