True Backcountry Experience:

The Dumoine River Valley has been a favourite destination for backcountry paddlers for decades, and now hikers have the same opportunity to explore this area by foot. This region is sparsely populated and there is no cell reception. In the event of an emergency, help will not be readily available, and it could take a significantly long period of time to get to you. Plan on being self sufficient while using the trail and consider carrying a satellite communication device. As always, it is a best practice to tell a responsible friend or family member your plan and estimated return date.

In the event of an emergency, help may take a very long time to get to you. A beautiful backcountry presents challenges for evacuations. The Dumoine River is canoe access only and helicopters have limited areas to land. See below and on our outfitters page for more information.

Historic Sites & Artifacts:

There are several notable historic sites along the Dumoine Tote Road Trail including several stopping places with an agricultural history. At the height of the Timber Trade, thousands of men and horses lived and worked in camps all along the river. As a result, evidence of human presence can be seen frequently, presenting an exciting opportunity to connect to those who lived and worked here. Beware of glass bottles and sharp metal debris which can frequently be found throughout the region. Also of note is a telegraph wire in the southern half of the trail which was originally installed between the Ottawa River and the Fildegrand River. While efforts have been made to mark the wire with coloured tape, tree falls may cause the wire to cross the trail presenting another hazard. Beware of the historic debris while you walk and camp along the Dumoine River, and please leave all objects where they lay.

Note in the picture how the telegraph wire can be difficult to spot if caught unaware - it runs from the lower left upward and to the right!

Fildegrand River Crossing:

At the approximate half-way point on the Dumoine Tote Road Trail, the path meets the Fildegrand River, the site of a historic farm and a bridge which has long since washed away. To continue to the rest of the trail, crossing this river is required and can be a fun, exciting feature of this backcountry trail. During the summer months, it is usually possible to ford the Fildegrand on foot, with water levels reaching waist height. In the spring months, or after heavy rains, the Fildegrand can swell and pose a significant challenge. Volunteers have made an effort to stash canoes (one on either side) to help in the event that the river is not fordable. Please use these only at your own risk, and do not underestimate the power of the Fildegrand when it is swollen. For advice on how to safely ford a river, please click the button below.

How to cross a river safely

The Fildegrand crossing is shown here with low water levels - the photographer noted that the water ran at about knee height in this picture, taken on a fall hike.

How to use the Fildegrand canoes:

You must cross three times.

1. When you arrive at the crossing there should be one upside down canoe, with two paddles beneath, on either shore of the Fildegrand. They should be pulled at least a canoe length away from the water's edge.
2. Carefully paddle one canoe load across in the direction you wish to go - the river is about 50 feet wide so it should be a relatively easy paddle.
3. Empty your gear and passenger(s) there and return towing the other canoe and paddles.
4. Turn the towed canoe and paddles upside down, as you found it, well up on the shore.
5. Paddle the other canoe back to the shore where your gear and friend(s) await.
6. Pull the canoe at least one canoe length above the waterline, tie it up, and turn it over with the paddles beneath, and continue your hike!

If you are using the canoes after September 15, put them high up the bank on the rack and tie them securely, to prepare for the spring flood in case you are the last party this fall.

Evacuation Challenges:

As previously mentioned, the Tote Road Trail is a true backcountry experience, and as a result, evacuations in the case of an emergency will be very challenging. There is no cell reception on this trail, so satellite communication devices are recommended. Even in the case of successfully contacting emergency responders, it will be many hours before they are able to locate and maneuver to your location and many hours more before you can be evacuated to reach medical facilities. Gauge your skillset, risk tolerance and equipment before hiking this trail and determine if it is right for you. Travelling with experienced hikers, taking a wilderness first aid course and writing down an emergency plan are all great ways to minimize your risk.

Volunteer Led Maintenance:

The Dumoine River Tote Road was originally built for the timber industry in the 19th century and has been reclaimed from decades of disuse by a small but dedicated group of volunteers. Hundreds of fallen trees have been cleared from the trail and several new bridges have been installed, but no official organization has taken a leadership role in this effort. Maintenance is still done entirely by volunteers. The trail can sometimes be difficult to follow, and it may take time between storms and when volunteers can sweep the trail with chainsaws. Pay attention to where you're going and look for signs of human presence if you get lost (cut branches, ruts of the old road, trail signs and flagging tape). Take care in climbing over or under fallen trees and protect your eyes from fallen branches or overgrown sections.

Lots of work has gone into clearing the trail, but you will likely need to climb over or under fallen trees on some sections of trail, especially after recent storms.

Trail Blaze Signs:

The Friends and their other partners have been working hard to put signs along the entire 26-kilometer trail, examples of which are included below. Seeing the red sign with the horseshoe emblem signifies that you are on the Dumoine Tote Road Trail. This red horseshoe blaze is a tribute to the thousands of horses that helped build this road and powered and supplied the early lumber trade. The corresponding red and yellow kilometer marker signs tell you what kilometer you are at proceeding north or south. There should be a km sign in the same location for both directions; for example, "6S" would be on the same tree as "20N". The yellow sign indicates a point of interest on the trail - make sure to take in the views and perhaps snap a picture to share with friends and family! For the trails to lookouts, there will also be a corresponding trail name sign and blazes. The blue sign shows where the 'bathroom' facilities are on the trail; each campsite has its own thunderbox (pictured at left) placed away from the main tent area.