a peek inside the fishbowl

The first time, and last time, I visited the ruins of the old mill in Gatineau Park was sometime in the mid-90s. Back then it was still mostly a secret, and not a place that families would necessarily venture out and explore. I’m happy to report that this area has become a lot more mainstream and accessible. We spotted dozens of families, trail runners and dog walkers along the way. Clearly, times they are a’changin’…  although there are still bilingual signs in place to warn visitors. And they’re not signs about poison ivy or bear sightings either.

Ahem.

The Carbide Willson Ruins (a.k.a the Gatineau Park ruins) are a fantastic place to explore as a family. (a) They’re close to Ottawa and (b) it’s a short hike with (c) a very cool destination at the end of it. If you pack a lunch you can easily make a day trip out of your visit. There’s no better time to go.

The ruins here are over 100 years old. The land was purchased by Thomas Willson (often misspelled online as Thomas Wilson, with one L) in 1907, a Canadian industrialist/inventor who dammed up Meech Lake and built a mill to support his experiments around the manufacturing of chemical fertilizers. Apparently he was also the first person in Ottawa to own a car. (You can read more about his exploits right here if you’re keen.)

The trail to the old mill begins at the O’Brien beach parking lot right off Meech Lake Road. (There are outhouses here too, so hold your nose and go because otherwise you’ll be the bear in the woods.) It’s only about 3K, round trip.

The hike up to the Mill is an easy one, although there is a steep hill that may leave some people a little winded. Given the ease of the trail, some folks may be tempted to tackle it in shorts and flipflops, but I truly recommend wearing closed-toe footwear for this one. The final destination is still rather industrial, and even though a century has gone by there’s plenty of broken glass, rusty metal, and sharp rocks to be found there. (Sidebar: it’s always a good idea to hike with a small first aid kit in your pack, no matter the length or intensity of your journey.)

The Carbide Willson ruins are one of the most photogenic sites in Ottawa-Gatineau, so don’t forget your camera. It’s so hauntingly gorgeous, there is truly a photo opportunity everywhere you turn. If you’re smart, you’ll wear your bathing suit under your clothes and pack a towel too.

This is a shot from the wee bridge, just before you get to the mill. It’s worth a short stop and a quick wade in the water. Warning: it may be tough to get your kids to leave.

And this is a little farther along as you approach the ruins, if you were to scamper up the rise to the top of the dam:

Here’s the view from the top.

If you follow the path a little further and follow the sound of the water you’ll be faced with a big decision: what to explore first. Do you proceed to the large hollowed out building that is resting silently in the shade, slowly being taken back by nature? Or do you move out towards the bottom of the dam, to step across the stones which break up swiftly moving water, creating eddies and pools and superior frog-hunting, dragonfly spotting, and leap-frogging? It is a quandary, but hopefully you’ve left lots of time to explore both sides.

It goes without saying you need to watch your step, no matter which direction you choose:

You know what’s fun? Telling your kids that TODAY IS A DAY FOR BRAVERY, packing up the gear, heading out, and seeing where the day takes you. If you’re open to adventure, adventure will find you. These old ruins in Gatineau Park are the perfect place to do it too.

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys exploring abandoned buildings and learning about a bit of local history, this is pretty much the perfect outing. Have you been to see the ruins recently? If so I’d love to hear about it.