Overnight at Kirkfield Lift Lock #36
44°35’22.5600″N, 78°59’13.8408″W
What3Words: ///embassy.ducks.pocketing

We both slept well last night. Especially after our “mishap” on Lake Simcoe yesterday afternoon. We left Lock 39 at 9:30 and passed through 2 more locks before crossing Canal Lake to Kirkfield Lift Lock #36.

Narrow canal approaching Kirkfield Lift Lock – not a lot of room to meet boats coming the other way!

Until 2 days ago I thought that the lift lock in Peterborough was the only one on the Trent-Severn system. The only reason I knew in advance that the one in Kirkfield existed is because Catherine read about it in our Ports Cruising Guide Book.

Peterborough’s Lift Lock raises/lowers boats 65 feet while the Kirkfield Lift Lock elevation difference is “only” 45 feet. Peterborough’s might get all of the media attention but even so, Kirkfield’s is a very impressive piece of infrastructure.

As we approached the lift lock we were not sure what to do because we couldn’t see any gates that had to be open and shut. One of the lock staff called out to us asking if we wanted to go up and we replied yes. He told us to come right in – only then did I realize that the “tank” that we would be riding up in was already in position and opened up for us. All we had to do was carefully manoeuvre into position and tie up our lines to the railings that were at waist level on each side of the tank.

The lower side of the lift lock – we ride up in the tank on the left.

We were the only boat going up so it was just a couple of minutes before they closed the entrance gate and we began to rise 45 feet to the next level.

Ready for the ride up!

This is a completely different experience compared to going up or down in a standard lock. There is no water movement.

Almost at the top!

Everything is calm and silent. I wish I had the presence of mind to take a video with my phone camera – but Catherine and I were both focused on keeping the boat still. Before we knew it we were at the top of the lock and the gate at the other end of the tank we were in was opened up and away we went.

At the top waiting for the gate to open so we can exit!

Once we were at the top it was quite a sight to look backwards and down to see where we had just been a few minutes before. I took a quick glance but didn’t have the nerve to stare from flybridge – I’m afraid of heights!

Looking back from the top of the lift lock

We decided to spend the night at this location. It was very quiet – no other boats around, plus I wanted to get a closer look at the facility.

Belisama safely moored for the night

I cooked hamburgers on the BBQ and Catherine made a salad. Except for the very cool ride in the lift lock this was an uneventful day compared to yesterday – just the way we like it.

Bonus – the weather has become noticeably cooler once the sun sets. Great for sleeping!

Cheers!