The Black River in the Regional Municipality of York originates in the Oak Ridges Moraine and flows north to Lake Simcoe. Agriculture is the most important use of the land in this river's watershed. In the spring, the water levels are high enough to allow for pleasant canoeing and kayaking trips from Sutton.
The water flow is calm enough for beginners and families using canoes or kayaks. The slow moving current makes this an easy paddle in both northbound and southbound directions. Bird viewing is excellent in April. Be on the lookout for geese, ducks, osprey, red-wing blackbirds, muskrats and turtles along the way.
Most of the caches are hanging in cedar trees located along the river's edge. When hidden all of the caches were hanging above water as they were placed from my kayak. Caches 1-17 were placed in mid-May and caches 18-26 were placed at the end of July.
There should be no need to leave your water craft to retrieve these caches but water levels can vary significantly. Log jams often form in the southern portion of the river south of Balwin Road (south of cache |#17) but they are usually passable. On July 31 I was able to paddle the entire series without having to exit my kayak.
Parking and Put-ins
Sutton - N 44° 18.241' W 79° 21.594'
Free parking lot behind Scotia Bank and a sandy beach put-in.
Baldwin Road - N 44° 15.680' W 79° 21.205'
Road side parking for a few vehicles at the rail trail crossing. Rocky shore put-in under the foot bridge with a short steep slope on west side of trail.