Rideau Trail: Gould Lake Segment

Dogs Unknown

The Rideau Trail continues from Rideau Trail: Sydenham Segment and enters Gould Lake Conservation Area on the road, the trail goes R in woods, reaching the foundation of a barn close to the road after 500 m. It follows a ridge above a swamp L, descends to a bridge, winds N around the swamp, and crosses two gravel roads N of an entrance kiosk (fee). It goes R at a T junction onto a track, veers L through a former camping area with old BBQs, and bends R towards the S end of Gould Lake, where there are toilets, a beach, and parking.

There is a network of blue trails on both sides of the lake, including Tom Dixon Trail, Mine Loop, and Wagon Trail (Trail 6).

Before the toilets, the Rideau Trail goes L (N) on another track. After 300 m it crosses a steel-framed wood bridge built in 2009, and after another 100 m it reaches Frog Junction where the Mine Loop goes R. The RT goes L (NW) uphill on a wide track to Hill Junction, where the Mine Loop forks R. The RT forks L, crosses a low area on a boardwalk, veers R (N) going up and down, continues level and then drops to cross another boardwalk. It goes up steeply and continues on high ground with one of several NE-SW gullies R. It veers L (W), descends to a swamp R and crosses it on an old beaver dam, then jogs L and winds R uphill. It continues N on a ridge, then drops to a junction at a brook.

The Ridgewalk (Trail 5) goes L, and the Rideau Trail goes R along the L side of the brook, continues ahead towards the lake, and then veers L (NE) beside it. The trail goes up and down, rises to a pond L, and continues past several mica mine pits to an open area near the lake. The trail continues NE, eventually drops to a beaver dam at the lakeshore, jogs L into bush, and reaches a N junction of the Ridgewalk (Trail 5). The Rideau Trail goes ahead, crosses a brook in a low area, and climbs steeply to a bench and a splendid view.

The RT continues N, then goes abruptly L in forest, bends R, turns L up an incline near a swampy area, and continues to wind N through woods over low ridges. It bends R (E) near Bedford Rd L, turns L near a gulley, jogs L over a stile and R on the road at a wet area, then over another stile R and L (E) to continue in bush. It crosses a stream R, passes a large swamp R, and bends L in woods, emerging onto Bedford Rd and going R (SE) for 800 m and connecting to Rideau Trail: Frontenac Segment.