Ontario Overland Project

[R_Lefebvre]

Ok, I'm not sure which is the proper sub-forum to post this, is it regional, I dunno, so I'll throw this out there and see where it sticks.

The intent of this post, and the reason I'm calling it a "project", is because I feel like I'm breaking new ground. I want to document for others, what resources we have for "overlanding" in Ontario. Most people think of places further south when they think about driving great distances off-road. But it seems like maybe we have some good opportunities up here. What I'm referring to is our network of abandoned rail beds which go hundreds of miles into the back country. The two biggest issues with using these rail beds is the legality, and the fact that these roadways cross many rivers, utilizing bridges. Old bridges. That is why a big part of my photo essay deals with these bridges, and any signage that I find. The legality is an difficult issue. Most of these rail beds are on Crown Land, publicly owned, open to all... except for some NGO's who attempt to stake a claim to them, with questionable legality. There are actually several battles brewing over this issue amongst various user groups. Snowmobiles have a legal right to control access to trails due to the national Snowmobile Act. But there is no such law for the warmer months. It would appear that in the some places, local bylaws close the trails to usage, and this what I discovered on my initial foray. With a road legal vehicle, it's easy enough to drive through town, and pick up the trail on the other side.

There are a number of systems to investigate. First up is the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance system.

http://www.thetrail.ca/

http://www.bing.com/maps/Default.as...06506248&lvl=8&sty=r&cid=FFF40924343813D0!784

Then the Central Ontario Loop Trail.

http://www.looptrail.com/

http://www.looptrail.com/mapoverview.htm

And the last that I'm aware of is the Park to Park Trail.

http://www.parktoparktrail.com/

http://www.parktoparktrail.com/map_large.html

Now, none of these systems specifically invite off-road trucks. But, I can find no specific exclusion either. There certainly isn't a general law restricting road vehicles from using clear roadways on crown land. So barring any local restrictions, locked gates, or no-trespassing signs... I'm going for it. I think a big part of the reason these trails systems are not inviting trucks is because... there is seen to be little interest. And also for liability concerns due to having 5000lb trucks crossing old bridges. On that point, it's important to note that most of these trails are used as snowmobile trails in the winter, meaning they are groomed, which I believe they use big Cats to do that. So the bridges have to be strong.

Ideally, I'd love to string together a series of trails to form a long roadway. Using the Hastings Heritage Rail Trail from just north of Trenton Ontario, can get you up to Algonquin Park. Linkage could be made to the other side, possibly through the Hay Creek Hydro Line, which IS legal to drive for sure. Or worst case, Highway 60 through the park, and pick up the Park to Park Trail on the other side, all the way to Georgian Bay. A distance of some 3-400 km.

So anyway, on Saturday, I decided to start this "expedition". I decided to tackle the River Country Trail from Hastings Ontario, to the E108 Multi-Use Trail through Campbellford, Sterling, and ending in Corbyville.

So, here's where I started out. I drove to Hastings, and started looking for the trail, which is not indicated in any way. There was a section close in to town, which I assumed would be closed, so I found where the trail intersected a roadway outside of town. Looking back, I saw no reason why I couldn't drive back into Hastings on the section of trail I skipped but... seemed pointless. So here's where the trail crosses Concession Road 13. As you can see, there are no signs indicating controlled access. It's a very wide roadway.

The only sign present was this one. Very standard Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs signs seen on trails all over Ontario.

Further along the trail, this is a pretty typical view. It wasn't all arrow straight, but it was very wide, gravel, and well graded. Overall, you could easily do this in a 2wd truck. Maybe even a high clearance car like a Subaru. I consider it a level 1 or 1+ trail. I'm not doing this for the thrill... just interested in seeing what's out there. These trail systems DO access much more interesting "wheeling" trails further north.

Further along, I found underpass under Highway 35. Large, very good condition culvert tunnel.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

This is the first bridge I came upon, and the signs posted on it. I was prepared to have to bypass bridges and drive through the rivers, but found it unnecessary and normally quite impossible. At least in this section of trail further south, the approaches were often fenced right to the railing by local farmers. Indeed, much of this trail goes through farmers fields. Or rather... between the fields.

Here is the underside of this bridge. The structure is hugely strong, though the abutments are starting to degrade. Still I had little concern. This is a fairly common type of construction you would see. Large I-beams across the span. In surprisingly good condition. Without salt, steel actually holds up pretty well.

Here is another type of bridge construction I saw. Beams appeared to be 16" square with some kind of chemical treatment, 12" cross-decking on 24" centers, with a solid 2" thick lumber decking. I'm not sure if these are the original train bridges or not. It doesn't seem strong enough for a train, nor old enough.

The trail crossed several country roadways, many of them gravel. No signage at any of them to indicate restricted access to these very obvious trails.

More bridges. Nowhere did I find any bridges that really concerned me in the least. Again, it's only the abuttments that seem to be aging poorly.

This is the only reason I would put a caveat on the accessibility of this trail to high clearance cars like Subarus. A few of the bridges had ~12" step ups to get onto the decking. Somebody had already put down some materials to form a ramp.

And this is another example of the typical scenery along the trail. It meanders between farmers fields, and scrub brush and light forest.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

This was the only troubling part I came across.

It would seem a barn was seperated from a pasture by the trail. And wanting to allow the cows free-range, the farmer gated the trail, instead of gating the barn and pasture from the trail. Again, no signs, and the gate was unlocked. I spent a few minutes here assessing the situation and taking pictures and nobody came out with a shotgun so... I opened the gate, drove through, and closed the gate behind me.

Here are some views of the farm:

This entire section was about... 2-300 feet in total. I also paused at one point, because there was a wire fence on both sides of the trail, with a line of electric fencing on top. Where the fence crossed the trail, the wire fencing stopped, the electric wire dropped to within 1 foot of the ground, wrapped in ribbon, and then rose up again on the other side. So, I just drove over it, with no effect. It seemed to me like that was the intent.

Then, I came upon the last bit. This bridge had a gate. But it wasn't attached with hinges. It was just lying against the railing, with one chain wrapped around one side with a lock. I had to lift the fence section on the unchained end to swing it open, drove across the bridge, then went back and closed it again.

Still a little unsure about all of this, I looked back from the roadway to see if there was any indication that you can't go here, and there wasn't.

And another nice old bridge. I stopped to survey EVERY bridge I crossed, and there were many more than this, but I'm sparing you the details.

This bridge decking showed evidence of local yokels using it.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Once I reached the outskirts of Campbellford, I found this interesting indication. Even though I could drive any street I wanted to get through town, I decided to try following the suggest route.

The trails comes down on to city streets. You can see markings in the pavement from snowmobile skiis. Snowmobiles are legally allowed on the sides of roadways in Canada.

Campbellford is a very cute little town. It is on the Trent Severn waterway, which is a canal and lock system we Canadians cut through the land as a shortcut from the St. Lawrence river to Lake Huron, pricipally for defence against the Americans. The lock system is a popular attraction in the summer... could it be considered a "Water Overland Route" ?

I wish I had stopped to take more pictures of the towns I passed through, but was a bit rushed, as usual.

Here's a cute swing bridge over the canal.

I did stop to take a look at something I haven't yet seen, even though I'm somewhat local. The Trent River Gorge.

They recently constructed a pedestrian suspension bridge over the gorge, linking the Ferris Provincial Park to the canal system. My son enjoyed this. The decking was a steel grating so you could see through quite well, and it was fairly high up.

There is a modern hydro electric generating station, stealing most of the water from the gorge. This old abandoned mill is visible from the bridge.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

The E108 snowmobile trail picks up here, and goes through the Ferris Provincial Park, but was clearly posted as no ATV access, so I bypassed this and picked up the trial outside of town. I should mention, Ferris has camping facilities, so would make a good place to stop on a journey.

More views of the trail.

And here is a major intersection between the E108 trail, and the Hastings Heritage Trail.

I'm particularly interested in the HHT as it travels 150km north from Glen Roos up to Algonquin park, and should prove to be a very interesting drive as it goes through the Canadian Shield. This section I'm on is in the St. Lawrence lowlands, and is mostly farmland. I scouted up the HHT to the nearest roadway to see what what the signage looks like. No problems. In fact, just across the road, the HHT is signed as an actual road.

There was this posted. A internet search seems to indicate that the HHTA has given control of the permits to the EOTA. I'll call them to find out if I can get a permit before continuing on this trail.

So, I headed back east on the 108 to Sterling. The trail crossed a roadway, and this was posted. So, I drove on the city streets to get through town, picked up the trail again on the other side.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I came upon this bridge with no railing, but I'm guessing it's still being constructed. Good thing too, because if there was snow on the ground, you could slip off and die.

This bridge was the scariest I crossed. It was quite high, and long, and the decking creaked and clunked as I crossed, but the main beams seemed train-strong, with 12" square cross-decking under the boards.

As I approached Corbyville, just north of Belleville which is a small city of 50,000, I started to see signs the trail was actually *used*. I should mention, previous to this, I'd seen a grand total of 2 walkers, who appeared local, and 1 ATV. On a warm sunny day, there's nobody out there.

Anyway, in this section, there were numerous ATV trails offshooting from the rail trail into the bush, and then there was this open gravel pit area which I imagine is a bush-party location. I don't recommend you plan on sleeping on those mattresses.

So, that's it for this installment. I consider this a big success. The trailway, and more importantly the bridges, seemed open to truck traffic, and I look forward to exploring the 100's of miles of trail in this system.

 

[ExpoGeorgia]

Great trip it seems like. I loved the picture of the old mill on side of the river. It show's what's missed by those who do not take the roads least traveled!

 

[AlexJet]

Very nice trip. I like it.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Thanks guys. I'm glad you like it. I'm hoping to see a bit of interest so I can know if I should continue the trip reports. It's not as great as what they have in the Southwest, but it's something, and it seems underutilized.

Next time I head out, I'll try to slow down and take more time to take photos of more than just bridges.

 

[av8or]

Keep it coming

Good to see someone not only looking for trails, but sharing where they are. Ontario has a ton of off road and overland opportunities, especially in the north. Problem is, everyone assumes they are "off limits" to trucks. Great idea, keep the posts coming.

 

[AlexJet]

Rob,
Let me know when and where are you heading. I might join you....

 

[Rev]

Fantastic write-up.

Like Alex, I'd be interested in exploring with you.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Sure thing guys, I'll keep it in mind. I'm only hesitant because, I was worried I'd get out there, and there'd be big signs and blockades and I'd have to go home.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention one of the best trails I plan to explore, the Old Nipissing Road. Apparently it has ghost towns, and is definitely open to truck travel.

http://www.nipissingroad.ca/

There's another road I want to explore, which goes to Cheddar Ontario. The Backroads mapbook says:

Avid backroad explorers often have a love for deserted towns. Cheddar was home to a uranium mine from 1932 to 1942. The old road to the town is nearly impassible, except in winter on snowmobile, and only th eold boarding house still stands.

Sounds like a challenge. It says "almost" impassible.

http://www.ontarioabandonedplaces.com/upload/wiki.asp?entry=725

 

[Rev]

Great finds! Looks like a lot of fun.

 

[AlexJet]

There is nothing impossible, it depend on what cost. We have good trucks and I'd never recommend doing such roads alone. You need a couple trucks, 3-5 is the best well equiped and winches. I think we can make a good team. I've seen Revs truck and wheel with him. He doesn't have a winch or bumpers, but his passion to get exploring is very good. Our trucks is more prepeared, but as I always said good company sometime can mean more, plus he has some "connections" which should help us to achieve goals.

Definetly keep us in mind. I can bring a friend with Tacoma who likes wheeling and knows how to get things right. It's 4 of us already. Sounds like a good team in perfect sizing.