About the River
The Coulonge River runs about 250k (155 miles) from its source in the lakes of Parc La Verendrye southward to the Ottawa River. Over that distance, it drops about 260 meters (850 feet) -- 50 meters of that over the massive Grandes Chutes near the town of Fort Coulonge.
One of a dozen or so significant rivers emptying into the Ottawa (her famous sister stream, the Dumoine, amongst them)
the Coulonge was used as a waterway by native North Americans and, later, by the coureur des bois plying their independent trade in furs. From the early 19th century forward, the forests around it were heavily logged and every year a seething mass of lumber hurtled down the Coulonge as the huge log drives followed close upon the spring break-up. In fact, there were log drives on the Coulonge into the middle of this century and evidence of those days is everywhere -- from the ubiquitous dead heads and the deep tea-colour of the water (tannins leached from the lumber) to the log slides and other artifacts scattered all along the route.
The Coulonge is a little more peaceful now, reverting slowly back to her natural state, especially in the north. Although a small hydro dam was built just above the Chutes, about 20k or so upriver from her mouth, she otherwise runs free. Her banks have been somewhat tamed in the south, with small farms, cottages, and such scattered about, but the north is still semi-wilderness, and looks as though it will remain such for awhile -- knock wood!
About the Trip
Classified as a novice/intermediate whitewater river, this is a great trip for experienced wilderness paddlers looking to earn a few whitewater stripes. The particular stretch described on this site offers plenty of Class I and II whitewater, and significant stretches of fastwater, with a minimum of portaging. More experienced whitewater paddlers will take considerable pleasure in the long, technical stretches like Enrages and Guinettes.
Although fairly remote, still feeling much like a wilderness river in stretches, dirt roads and cart tracks meander throughout the valley, significantly raising the safety level for trippers and allowing many alternative put-in and take-out spots -- assuming you can find them.
The scenery ranges from merely pleasing to spectacular, wildlife is plenty, and there are thousands of beautiful spots -- many near whitewater -- to pitch a tent. And for now, at least, the Coulonge hasn't suffered the same scourge of fame, overcrowding by whitewater enthusiasts, as her sister stream, the Dumoine.
