There is something to be said for seeing the place you call home as it goes through all four seasons. Although I can’t imagine a summer without spending time in a kayak, fall is the best time to get out on the Grand River. I first fell in love with kayaking as a guide, and summer was the busy season for sunrise, full moon, and cultural experiences on the water. But, after Labour Day was and remains prime time for taking our personal paddling trips. Plus, it’s this time of year when you can see the best of what autumn has to offer along the Grand.
Many times, it only occurs to outdoor enthusiasts to take excursions in our area in summer, when activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing are at their height. However, the shoulder seasons offer something amazing. Fall time, in particular, is when tourism begins to slow down and things in nature and our local landscape ramp up, with leaves often changing brilliantly from just one day to the next. There’s no better place from which to quietly witness these subtle changes than a peaceful fall colour paddle down the Grand River from Newport Bridge to Onondaga.
For the most part, the late weeks of September and the beginning of October bring a break from the summer heat (this year being an exception.) The addition of a little more rain typically raises the river levels which makes for better paddling. Not only that, but school is back in, so any crowds or groups formerly making use of the river drops significantly, and getting out on the water to kayak through the fall colours increases your chances of practically having the entire trip to yourself. On this paddle, we launched from under the Newport Bridge, beneath Brant County Rd. 18, and set out kayaking the 12-km downstream trip toward Onondaga, with a planned side trip up a portion of Fairchild Creek. Along the way, we met just one friendly fisherman in a boat at the very beginning, and passed by two people enjoying the sunshine along the banks at the mid-way point. Other than that, we were free to enjoy the 4-hour trip relatively on our own.
As the trees along the Grand prepared for the winter ahead, the brilliant green of the oaks, maples, basswood, hickory, and willows gradually fades, briefly turning their leaves vibrant hues of yellow, red, and orange. The bright, sunny days and cool, crisp nights tend to bring these colours out much more intensely, and from a kayak on a calm river, you have a great shot at seeing the absolute best fall colours of the Carolinian Forest region in full glory, plus their beautiful bonus reflection along the paddling trip. This excursion took place in the first week of October 2022 and this same time this year is proving to be equally gorgeous. Maples are getting especially red, oaks are showing off their beautiful golden yellows, and along the Grand River you’ll see forested areas with their broadest fall colour palettes on full display.
Although small sections of the Grand along this trip required consistent paddling, the majority of our time enabled us to float smoothly, take pictures, enjoy the scenery, and manoeuvre a gentler part of the river. The bright fall colours stood out against the blue and white reflections of spotty clouds in an otherwise sunny sky. Through September and into early October, the calm current remained warm enough that you wouldn’t suffer for having dipped in the water, but we weren’t planning on it. The wind and the cooler fall temperatures required that we start out at approximately 8:30 a.m. in triple layers, paddling gloves, and wind burn protection. However, along the way it warmed enough that by the time we took out in Onondaga we were down to a standard autumn base layer and hats.
The side trip up Fairchild Creek allowed us to admire scenic views of the fall colours along a tributary to the Grand in a slower pace as compared to the initial intent of making the full paddle in under 4 hours. Although beautiful and completely worth the unplanned adventure, the creek itself is limited for access due to depths, tree falls, and swampy areas. Although, it’s still highly recommended if bright colours and peaceful time to reflect on your paddling experience is something you wish prior to taking out, which for us was just 10 more minutes downstream at Onondaga.
The entire time we were out there, I realized why I love kayaking in the fall so much. I can take pride in my tolerance for bugs while enjoying an experience such as hiking, biking, and paddling, but an entire spring and summer of blackflies, mosquitoes, and horseflies tend to wear my defences down. In a kayak, you’re a floating target of sorts. So, imagine the pleasure of simply enjoying your time out in the cool fall air with the relief of knowing you can keep your hands on your paddle and just be. Pack a lunch, take some water, a thermos of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and layer up accordingly, and simply spend the most amount of time out on the river as you wish.
Winter will be here soon enough, and although every year the fall season ends faster than I hope, in late November when it’s raining and cold, I always wish I had paddled more. Plan those days and sneak some time in for a fall colour paddle on the Grand River while you can. It’ll be gone before you know it, making way for snowshoeing, skiing, and great local winter activities that remind us why the experience of all four seasons in our region is amazing. Kayaking from Newport Bridge to Onondaga is suitable for both beginner and experienced paddlers, however if you wish to enjoy a tailored experience with guides, you can book or plan your own uniquely authentic excursion and safely take in the best of the local fall colours!
Uncommonly Grand 