In 1615 Samuel de Champlain travelled through the Kawarthas. Champlain left Huronia with a large party of Huron and Algonquin Indians to raid an Iroquois settlement in Oswego (present day Syracuse New York). After the raid, Champlain with his Indian allies returned through the Kawarthas to Huronia. Champlain, who was injured during the raid, spent 38 days near present day Bridgenorth resting and recovering from his wounds suffered during the raid.
Champlain’s route, after portaging from Bridgenorth to Petrborough, took him from Peterborough, through to Rice Lake and then along the Trent River. This series of caches has been set out along the same waterways as Champlain would have paddled 400 years ago.
These caches have been placed for canoe or kayaks. That said the caches can be accessed by boat. If caching by boat use extreme caution because of submerged or logs or large rocks. The caches should all be accessible without leaving your boat.
The best paddling is during the week when motorboats and jet skis seem to be fewer. It is a good idea to move out from the shore and face into the waves when boats pass, to avoid being caught in the waves.
On many mornings you can paddle here without seeing another boat. The fishermen are often on the river during the week but on the weekend they multiply and after 10:30 a.m. the river becomes more lively with speedboats and large boats.
There is a boat launch at the end of Whitfield Road. N44 12.685 W078 21.279 or at Squirrel Creek Conservation area at N 44 11.062 W078 20.253.