MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Summer 2018

22 ML BLUE SUMMER 2018 Approximately 120 kilometres long, the Nottawasaga River provides plenty of opportunity for paddlers. For the full Minesing Swamp experience, paddling through trees and farmland, put in at Minesing and paddle to Edenvale. Depending on the time of year, that paddle will take you about four-to-five hours. If you’re looking for a full afternoon out, you can start at Edenvale and paddle to Klondike Park. Secluded and beautiful, this paddle is amazing as the river meanders past huge trees, beaver dams and fishermen. It’ll take you about three-and-a-half hours. But it’s the dunes just beyond Klondike that are the true attraction: considered the largest parabolic dunes in Ontario, they tower up from the river and it’s difficult for anyone to resist hopping out of the boat, climbing up the massive pile of sand and running down it. Unfortunately, due to the environmental impact your footprints have, that’s no longer possible. Try to resist the temptation and just imagine all the crazy things people used to slide down the dunes on in the 1970s. To get there, put in at Klondike Park and paddle down to Schooner Town. You’ll know the dunes when you see them, definitely a great place to stop and admire the scenery. From there you’ll start seeing cottages and houses as you approach Wasaga Beach. Keep your eye out for the McDonald’s on your left and Schooner Town will be on your right, just before the bridge. This is your take-out point. And now it’s also home to Free Spirit Tours. This paddle takes about two hours. —Colin Field DIY: Maps and more at experience.simcoe.ca You’ll paddle past the largest parabolic dunes in Ontario, towering up from the river… 3 Paddle to the Dunes MICROTRIPS Joel and Corynne Dawson paddle past the dunes. COLIN FIELD