Sun May 4 2025 Mad River (Whitewater) Creemore to Glencairn. 14 km river 90 min from Toronto

We successfully ran the M|AD River today, Sunday April 27. Flow levels were 5.7 cu Meters ./second to 5.54 cu M /s. Flow levels were excellent, more than enough for easy navigation everywhere. Also at these levels, the water is moving at a much slower speed, making it a safer trip over all. If flow levels stay up above 4.5 cu M/s for May 4, please consider joining us on that date.

In the past we have typically I looked for flows of 7-8 cubic meters per second on the upper section (Riverview Drive down) and love to do the full top to bottom at 11 cu M /s, however since we had an extremely successful day on the river on April 27 at flow levels just above 5.5 cu M/s, and at this moment I have a pretty good idea where the log jams are in the river (until the river floods again and moves them) , I would bring paddlers on May 4th who have good canoeing skills, but less whitewater river experience, and teach you a thing or two about how to scout and navigate rivers. You need to start somewhere. It might as well be here. The river won't be as super fast as the 11 cu M/s levels, but it will still be super fun. If you need a seat in a boat, contact me and I will pair you up. I also have a spare canoe to lend.

Accepting both tandem and solo canoes. now that I have run the river once on April 27 and know what is in it. I will need to interview you before accepting you, just to make sure we all can safely do this adventure.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Meet at Riverside Drive, one km north of Riverside Drive and Country Road 9 in Creemore
Date(s) & Time: 
Sunday, May 4, 2025 - 10:00
Registration Cut Off: 
Friday May 2 2025 6pm
Event Duration: 
one day
Difficulty Rating: 
Novice
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
WCA Members
Maximum Group Size: 
ten boats
Minimum Group Size: 
two tandems
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

Meet at Riverside Drive. one km north of County Road 9 in Creemore, where the river comes closest t othe road. 10am. Drop boats and gear. Shuttle as many cars as we can to Glencairn Conservation Area on Webster Road in Glencairn (parking fee applies ) . Lunch will be somewhere on the river. From Carruthers the river slows down a bit until our take out at Glencairn Conservation . Last spring *2024) It seems that there was lots of interest in all of these trips. : I have drawn the maximum number of canoes to FIVE for the first trip. NO solos this trip, only tandems. Second trip, once I see the full river end to end, I will take solo boats. Just not this trip.

Required Items to Bring: 

Your own canoe (for tandem pairs.) I have an extra canoe to lend. Drysuit or wetsuit , PFD, helmet, close toe shoes (no flip flops) . Painters for both ends of the canoe. Also bring your Whitewater PIN kit - carabiners, pulleys, accessory cord, webbing and throw bag) , in case we wrap a canoe, and a good hand saw if you have one (in case we have to cut a canoe out of a sweeper), Lunch
Please bring canoes that can handle hitting a few rocks (not your fancy kevlar or carbon fiber boats please) . I would prefer no Pac boats (gunnels too low) If Pac boat is all you have, please contact me before booking.

Recommended Items to Bring: 

SRT trainers paddlers, bring full kit. Others if you have it bring whitewater rescue ropes, carabiners, webbing. Spare clothes to leave in car for ride home

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

From Barrie: Take County road 90 (Dunlop ST exit off hwy 400) to Angus. Turn right on County Road 10 (just after Yellow NO FRILLS building) . Continue on County Road 10 to County Road 9 (for New Lowell and Creemore). Drive through New Lowell, continue past Airport Road (Cashtown Corners) , to Riverside Drive. turn right Drive one km to where the river comes closest to the road. 10am
From western Toronto, drive up hwy 410 to hwy 89, right on hwy 89 to Airport Road and drive north to 3464 County Road 42 turn left in Carruthers Memorial Park. .

Carpool Info: 

contact trip organizer

Other
Cancellation Policy: 
Saturday night 6pm
Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Andy Hueton
Phone: 
705-220-9896