Bridge #50, Lakeshore Road Swing Bridge, Ontario (Kirkfield Lift Lock)

July 22, 2015

Today we traveled 24.8 NM going through 7 Locks.  We Locked up 4’ reaching the summit of the Trent-Severn Waterway at Balsam Lake, 841’ above sea level.  We then began Locking down 121.7’

The most important lock through today was the Kirkfield Lift Lock. It’s the 2^nd highest Hydraulic Lock in the world!  It was very much like Peterborough Lock, although it didn’t have a solid concrete/brick Tower structure.  Being we were locking down, as we entered the pan we were suspended over the tree tops. This lock dropped us down 49’. We then locked through the “Flight of 5” locks. These five locks were all within a 3 miles distance total. A Locking marathon!

We traveled through "The Narrows", which are man-made 'Cuts' through the granite. These narrow canals were too narrow for our boat to fit sideways. There is no room for two boats to pass so a "Security Announcement" to broadcast your intentions to enter these canals on Ch. 16 is imperative. The depths were shallow (5 - 6 ft.)  These were the tightest cuts we've experienced thus far. Several times the tree lined granite walls were only 3 feet from our gunnels on each side. The water was clear and you could see the cut rock below the surface. No room for error.  

When we reached Lake Simcoe the winds were howling and the lake was white capped.  We stayed at the entrance to Lake Simcoe at Bridge #50, Lakeshore Road Swing Bridge.  A perfectly protected area to stay while riding out weather conditions, as Lake Simcoe is known to be rather hazardous in high winds and/or rain. We had the south wall all to ourselves so Garmin enjoyed running leash free along the park peninsula at our wall. Charlie caste a few lines in the water while I made homemade spaghetti.

The following photos are of us locking down the Kirkfield Lift Lock, 2nd Highest Hydraulic Lift in the World, dropping us 49' while suspended in a concrete and steal pan: (We are at the summit of the Trent-Severn Waterway and are now locking down)

Entering the lock appeared "unimpressive" until you realize you are in a giant pan (similar to a giant concrete/steel bath tup" suspended over 49' above the canal. We are at tree top level.

The pan doors were only approx 3 feet tall.

The photo above is the pan next to us lifting up, while we lock down.

G-Man making history again today.

A more impressive view looking back at the lock as we exit.

(photo above is us locking down with another Looper)

View forward as we exit the lock.

Narrows

G-Man at the helm today

In the Narrows, looking port, Trees and granite 3 feet from our gunnels.

In the Narrows, starboard side, 3 feet from our gunnels.

Hole In The Wall Bridge

And then......there's 'this guy' who never looks over his shoulder nor does he use his marine radio as we hailed him via "Security Call announcement/broadcast" as we approached the Narrows.  The width of the navigational channel here is 5 to 6 feet deep and is only approx. 10 feet wide (Our boat is 15 feet wide). We can't move around this guy.  He had to recover from our air horn blast to get his attention.  Fortunately, Charlie gave Garmin and I enough warning to not only cover our ears, but to also move down below to the aft area, as our air horn has it's own air compressor and is painfully and exponentially loud.

Granite "cut" below the clear water line, approx 2' from our boat both port and starboard sides

Peeps having fun on Lake Simcoe, taking advantage of the gusting winds.

Lake Simcoe's beautiful blue and clear water.

Long day for this hard working and alert Captain!

Garmin enjoying off leash time at the single lane Swing Bridge #50

Blue, blue blue skies

G-Man feeling like he's camping again like last year.  Found a stick!

At port.