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Route description: Picanoc River
- Posted by
- pgallagher
- Date posted
- Aug 23, 2004
- Date last travelled
The Picanoc River is a very picturesque short-lived run in Quebec up northwest of Kazabua. It typically lasts from early break-up in April through to mid-May at latest. In most years it should be considered a cold water trip.
All club whitewater paddlers could do this river but must be adequately equipped, as conditions require with either wet or dry suits. Numbers of participants are limited by the vehicle capacity (see shuttle considerations, below).
Location
North west of Kazabua, near Gracefield Quebec
Length
River trip includes about 10 kilometres of paddling
Classification
There are several sets of rapids mostly R1/R2 and one R2-R3 combination with no pool in between. There is also a picturesque water fall (mandatory portage).
Access / Egress
Requires a long shuttle of about 1.5 hours, so a commercial shuttle is recommended to shorten waiting time at the end of the day.
- Put-in at Club 2000
- Take-out at
Route
Most of the rapids on this river are classified as R1 or R2 but there are some notable exceptions that are worth noting, as follows:
A Class II followed immediately by a Class III rapid (due to a constriction of the river) which should be examined before running. There is a likely clean line from river left to right thru the center, but lets take a look in the interest of both safety and fun. This is marked on the map and can be land marked by an obvious "pool" just upstream. The take-out for river scouting is on the left .. (N-T-F This was run successfully in 2004 based on river scouting with out scouting from shore).
About a kilometer+ further on after the above Class II - Class III combo there are a set of two WATERFALLS. The first falls is a must portage on River LEFT which will lead us to a likely great scenic spot for lunch. Be aware we may not see the first falls from the river BUT there are some clear tell tale landmarks - A large flat faced rock on River RIGHT and a RED Property Marker (Stake) on River RIGHT. Downstream (400 meters?) there is a second set of smaller falls that can be run at higher water levels on river right. A good strategy is to get out on river right and scout. At lower water levels this is a carry over.
We need to get off the river well before the bridge (or beyond) to avoid any possible conflicts with private land owners (who, rumour has, it don't particularly like paddlers)
Facts -Historic TBD.
Facts - Fauna TBD.
Facts - Flora TBD
Trip References
1:50,000 Topographical map sheet 31 F/16 and 31 K/1
Water Levels
http://www.?????????? (Portageurs ??
Shuttles
There is a $10.00 put-in fee charged by Wayne Tanner (Owner of Club 2000). Club 2000 (819) 661-1572 will undertake to do the long shuttle but are limited to 5 drivers.
Security
Vehicles will be parked on the side of the road, unsupervised and accessible by public. That said there have been no reports of theft or vandalism in recent years. And the road is not subject to high traffic.
Emergency Nos.
Hospital TBD
Dental TBD
Search and Rescue TBD
Service Station / Towing TBD
Police TBD
Map References
1:50,00 topographical map sheets Denbigh (31 F/3) and Brudenell (31 F/6).
How to get there
Not a long trip, just one hour from Ottawa.
o Take King Edward across Ottawa R. & head north through Gatineau to Hwy 105
o Follow Hwy 105 to Kazabazua (48 miles (77k?) from Ottawa
o Turn left onto Hwy 301 towards Danforth Lake (note odometer reading)
o Drive for 7 miles (11+ k?) to Danforth and RV with EVERYBODY at the intersection where the general store is located. Set odometer reading at Danforth)
o Turn right (north) onto Chemin Harrison, go 3 miles (5 k?) to Harrison lake & turn left onto a dirt road going to Club 2000. Follow this to steel gates (about 2.5 miles or 4 k) & turn right through the gates into our hosts driveway, down to the river.
