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The trip from the Malette Bridge to the Timmins waterfront is about a three-hour canoe trip over flat water plus the time needed for a stop at the Spruce Needles Golf Club for lunch. It is a great way to spend a Sunday morning for an outing close to town over a historic waterway. It was the route of the Hudson Bay Traders in the 18th and 19th century followed by loggers and prospectors of the 20th century and now homebuilders.
Begin by leaving one vehicle at the waterfront parking lot just south of the Mattagami River Bridge on Algonquin Boulevard. This is located about 3.8 km. west of the Tourist Information Centre in Schumacher. To reach the put-in location, drive over the Mattagami bridge about 11 km. west on Algonquin Blvd. which is called Riverside Drive on the west side of the bridge. You will drive past the Timmins Square and eventually come to a lumber mill. On the right side of the highway is Tembec and on the left is Grant Forest Products. Turn left just past the Grant site and within half a kilometre you will come to a bridge. Park your vehicle on the right before crossing the bridge, and launch your canoe. The trip from the bridge to the golf club is about 8 kilometres and takes about 1.5 hours depending on your speed. The total trip back to the waterfront in Timmins is about 13 km. Allow about 2.5 to 3.0 hours for the paddling part and whatever you need for a lunch stop.
You will be paddling downstream toward Timmins. Rounding the first corner you should have a good view of the huge pile of poplar logs at the Grant Forest Products plant as well as their giant crane which transports the logs to the mill. Along the shore you may see evidence of beaver and perhaps a marten swimming in the water. There are a few secluded cottages and homes along this part of the river. Dalton Road parallels the river on the south side but is not visible from the water.
Just before you reach the Spruce Needles Golf Club, which is a recommended lunch stop, there is a new housing development on Wallingford Road. At the golf club you can pull in to shore and walk up to the large building right near the water and climb the stairs to the dining room. Prices are quite reasonable. Following lunch, you can continue down the river. The distance is about 5 km. and should take about an hour to complete.
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