Topic: Swimming Holes?

[Doug Poulter]

I went hiking a week ago along Curley Lake Rd, in SW Gatineau Park.   The mosquitos and deer flies were bad.  I suggest you get them mosquito head nets, or nylon bug suits, if you have to walk in any distance where there is not a good wind.  If they handle mosquitos well, you could get them Deerfly patches, that are disposable attracting flypaper that attaches to the top of your hats.   If you go 1st down a trail, you'll get the most bugs. 

An in-town hike / bicycle ride with wind to blow the bugs away, and exploration potential can begin at the bottom of the remains of the old mill off the bicycle trail in Aylmer,  (opposite the City of Ottawa water filtration plant. and Mud lake).  Because of swift current by shore as you proceed up river exploring, make sure the kids have their life jackets on.  After exploration has finished, then proceed west to the Alymer beach and boat club at the west end of Alymer Rd (Rue Principale ?).  There you'll find boats of all sorts, kite boarders, and a beach.

[JohnCyr]

Thanks for sharing the pics!  I wanted to go explore the river but didnt know what to expect in the summer with water levels being lower.. Some locals told me there were nicer waterfalls other than Trick or Treat falls further up North! This one seems a bit too narrow but I know some guys whod give it a shot haha! How was access for the falls? Did you get access from 9th line road...? Seems to be a trail but it looks like its on Private land...?

[DaveH]

There is spot further up the Quyon, while it is still in Can. Shield country, that might be of interest if it is not too far away. If you turn on photos after visiting here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.594912,-76.337771&spn=0.00991,0.027595&t=h&z=16&lci=com.panoramio.all
you will probably see two images....actually the following page is a better starting point for the pics:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/9070555

All of the Quyon flows down this trench and there is supposedly a nice swimming pool at the base of it. I was in there during a high flow day this past spring and I was wishing that I had a really narrow creek boat with me 

I believe that the location of the High Falls images on google maps is wrong, and that they should be ~200 metres to the north of what is shown. The location of the white steps (careful with the kids on these!) is correct and this is the trailhead. It should be pretty easy to follow that trail, and the ~1 km round trip walk would probably be entertaining for the kids.

Considering the age of the kids if you do go exploring you probably should wait until levels are lower than they are today, and when there are fewer mosquitoes, deer flys, etc. happening.

[JohnCyr]

Trick or treat falls..

http://whitewaterottawa.blogspot.com/2011/02/trick-or-treat-falls-quyon-falls.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgtRb31ClN4

notice my buddy swimming in the video! 

[Mark Harley]

Can anyone recommend any good swimming holes near Ottawa?

Looking for a new place to explore with the boys (5 and 7).  A place with a jump rock, maybe a small waterfall to play under and little bit of current to float in would be great.   

Thanks