The Dumoine River is fed from a drainage basin of 2,110 square km. Starting from its headwaters at lac Machin near La Verendrye Wildlife Reserve, it runs due south for 144 km draining through the Canadian Shield into the Ottawa River. There is an abundance of flora and fauna along the corridors of this magnificent upper Ottawa Valley River. Rock outcroppings and cliffs give way to beautiful photography. You can find eagles, buzzards, falcons, herons, kingfishers, beavers, otters, muskrats, minks, black bears, moose and deer. A very sharp eye can sometimes spot a wolf.
Trip Arrival:It is suggested that you drive up the night before the trip to Deep River and get a fresh start in the morning. We will meet at 8 am on Day One, at the Eddy Inn in Deep River on highway 17, or the alternative would be at Driftwood Provincial Park campground. Park your vehicles at the Driftwood Provincial Park campground (parking fee is 15$ at Driftwood) which will be the takeout unless otherwise planned.
Day One: After the introductions and organizing gear we load and drive up above Lac Benoit to Bridge Rapids our starting point. We will pass through two ZEC stations and cross the Grande Chute during the drive Northward. The drive up takes a while so bring a snack and some water if you like. We will have lunch at the put in prior to hitting the water. Prior to descending downriver, we will go over any necessary whitewater skills, and strokes you think that you might need to brush up on. On this particular trip we will start at km 70 where the most abundant whitewater starts. The Dumoine is classified as an intermediate river but is suitable for a novice canoeist being guided. There are rapids ranging from Class 1 to class 5. From this point there is some easy class 1’s that lead into Lac Benoit, which gives you the opportunity to become comfortable with the river. We will probably suggest camping on the lake for the first night or even push on a little, depending on the group’s desire. There are some favorite campsites on the lake and an opportunity to enjoy a great swim, beautiful sunset, and absolute silence except for the cry of a loon.
Alternatively we can start higher on the river but this would have to be arranged as a custom trip with a float plane fly in out of Rapids Des Joachims, near Rolphton.
Day Two/Three: After the lake we enter into an exhilarating consistent whitewater for the next two days. Depending on the group’s ability and some careful scouting we can run most rapids which range from Class 1 to Class 3. If one does not feel comfortable there are many portage trails down the river banks. The campsites are all quite spectacular down the complete river so the selection is limitless.
Day Four: On day four we will enter a flat stretch of the river with some rapids and drops as we descend through Sheerway and some of the more historic parts of the river. This calm stretch of river will lend itself to a much needed rest from the consistent whitewater and to rest up for the Grande Chute Portage coming up. The portage is 1500 metres with the trail descending down the river bank like a roadway; it is at this point the river falls 125 ft througha scenic gorge. We will more than likely camp on Lac Robinson below the Grande Chute but not before descending a series of easy Class 1 and 2 rapids. It is on Lac Robinson that I have made many moose sightings during last light.
Day Five: Today will bring us into Red Pine Rapids which is most exhilarating. It is actually a set of five rapids that connect together with many different river features to experience. You will be glad for the practice that Red Pine Rapids gives you as the test of all your skills will be culminated when you hit Exam Time Rapids. We believe that this rapid will give you the opportunity to practice all of the skills we taught you along the way. We have two short portages left until we descend down to equal elevation of the Ottawa river. After Patent Chute and probably a lunch we will have a leisurely paddle and most likely stop for a swim on our way out to the confluence of the Dumoine and expansive Ottawa River. At this point we hope the wind gods are in our favour and we can cross toward Driftwood Provincial Park, where our final destination lies.
Trip cost: $991 plus taxes
Option 2: Float plane fly in to Lac Dumoine for 7 day trip.
Trip cost: $1,600 plus taxes
