Skootamatta River

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The Skootamatta is a spring paddling river in Ontario, east of Peterborough. It’s part of the Highway 7 group of rivers and creeks.

The Skoot is typical of other Hwy 7 runs, with narrow drops through small gorges mixed with easier rapids and flatwater. This Class I-IV river is suitable for novice to expert paddlers come spring. Many of these rapids are chutes and can be run in low water conditions as well as high, but should be scouted first. Apparently the more difficult drops on the Skoot are difficult to scout, so good boat scouting ability, or an experienced guide is useful. The narrows drops are through rocky walls, which can be touched with the paddle on either side. The distance is about 12 km, with a shuttle of 14 km.

Skoot looks to be one of those often over looked runs. This may be a good run who want to try something a little more unknown and less busy.

Directions:

Take Hwy #7 east to just past Madoc. Shortly after the junction of hwy #7 and Hwy #37, go north on Hastings Rd. #2 to Flinton. The put-in is at the bridge in Flinton. The take-out is in Actinolite, below Hwy #7.

MACKFest’s Directions to Put-in from Actinolite, ON:
North on 37 to Hwy 7
East on Hwy 7 to Flinton Road (CR 29) (Approx 900m)
North on Flinton Road to 2nd bridge crossing the Skootamatta (approx 11km).
(Flinton is marked on the map here. Can anyone pinpoint the put in? Click the “edit” link under the map to open the map, then click any place on the map to move the pushpin)

MACKFest’s directions to Take-out from Actinolite, ON:
North on 37 to Hwy 7
East on Hwy 7 to Upper Flinton Road (Appox 5.8km)
North on Upper Flinton Road to Moores Road (Approx 2km)
Stay right on Upper Flinton Road.
Continue to where the Skootamatta crosses Upper Flinton Road. (Approx 900m)

MACKFest’s Directions for the Shuttle from Take-out:
West on Upper Flinton Road to Moores Road (Continue straight).
Moores Road to Robinson Road (Continue straight).
Robinson Road to Flinton Road. Turn North on Flinton Road to put-in (Approx 9km)

For photos of the run, and a hand-drawn map with corresponding GPS points for the run and the shuttle, see the Skootamatta page on the M.A.C.K.Fest site.

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Other area activities:

The Skootamatta is one of the rivers included in Mackfest.

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This entry needs more detail on:

• nearby accommodation
• where to find water levels
  
• what those water levels mean to this river
  
• what the river looks like at various levels.
  Can you help? Click the "edit" links at the top of the page to add information.