Favorite Ottawa trail submerged

Man cycles through waters, Trans Canada Trail at Wellington West, Ottawa, submerged in Ottawa River, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. May 2019 © PHOTO BY theWedge.LIVE

By MAGGIE M, Editor, Wedgee-in-Chief, East Ontario Trekker, theWedge.LIVE

I was surprised and forlorn to find my favorite trail in Ottawa submerged. I had walked its sinuous pavement a few years ago with family members. Many cyclists, pedestrians, and joggers also enjoyed this trail.

“NCC (National Capital Commission) repairs the Trans Canadian Trail every year after each flood,” stated a spokesperson for Ottawa Tourism.

The floods are increasing in mass and duration. The Chaudieres bridge is not expected to open until at least August–that’s a first. The same outcome is expected of the trail.

I am gobsmacked.

The trail lies right on the edge of the Ottawa river down below–way down–parliament buildings. It can be accessed from the locks right by the Bytown museum–but not for the time being. The grounds above offer opt-out points by climbing very vertical stairways to the top–but not now. The view of our magnificent capital buildings was impressive from this point of view.

It runs along much of the Ottawa River and has many access points.

This too shall pass. Keep your eyes on August to enjoy the trail fully.

I caught a glimpse, a remnant of this trail, in the form of a lamplight peaking above the waters. I stood in the lower parking lot behind parliament buildings aiming to climb below. It was not to be.