Northern Ontario has always been a mecca for backcountry wilderness riding, but developing community to community tours has been a challenge. Due to the distance and the fact that the best trails are off the grid, we need a strong commitment and network of experienced associates able to deliver quality experiences. We have been able to pull this together and deliver numerous group activities this fall.
Fall is the greatest time to get out and experience northern Ontario wilderness travel on an ATV.
Recently, I was privileged to ride along with a number of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario’s senior business owners, male and female, active and retired, on a fall Tracks to Trails Colour Tour of Algoma.
Leaving on a cool October morning from Driftwood Valley Lodge in Searchmont we were thrilled to have Betty King and Harvey Wright volunteer to take the lead. Betty and Harvey retired from professional guiding with Indiana based International Snowmobile Tours a few years back and are famous for their knowledge of northern Ontario wilderness trail systems. Harvey’s original career was a lineman servicing the remote powerlines in this area and his adventure tales provide interesting conversation.
Recent fall rains were greatly appreciated, as we were able to travel the gravel Whitman Dam Road dust free, making for a great start as we rode the first 30 miles necessary to access Point Lake Road, an abandoned rocky logging road winding north through the Algoma Highlands. Low areas were now water filled keeping the next 20 miles of the ride interesting. When we arrived where the Point Lake Road and Ranger North Road, intersect, just before the access to the power corridor, it was time for a well deserved pit stop and lunch break. Janet Wardlaw and Marilyn Lloyd provided a selection of deserts to meet everyone’s taste and keep energy levels high for the afternoon.
At this stop, it was evident that these individuals have enjoyed traveling together for many years and how people with a variety of personalities and business interests can enjoy each other’s company in a wilderness setting. Most have enjoyed the more strenuous modes of travel in their younger years but now utilize ATVs as a way of extending their enjoyment of the scenic and challenging experiences offered in Algoma’s backcountry.
We continued to travel another 40 miles on the scenic corridor to Jeep Lake, home of remote Halfway Haven, four-season oasis to motorsport travellers . This is like a second home to most of us on this tour. Everyone is made welcome by hosts Steve and Gail Bonne. Conversations and stories carried on well into the night with hosts and several other guests who are also enjoying fall wilderness trail riding.
In the morning Gail and Steve served up a hearty breakfast and saw everyone off with an assortment of sandwiches for a trail lunch. We are heading for the 75 mile trek to Wawa today, but have been advised of a trail closure forcing us to use another route into town. This is where a network of friends helps when traveling in the bush. Last minute surprises resulting in long detours and dangerous situations can be avoided when riding with guides.
Once again, Betty and Harvey lead us along one of their favourite routes, a variety of trail types offering forests, meadows, water, rock, mud, hills and scenic vistas, as well as over the power dam on the Michipicoten River. After 75 miles of enjoyable scenic riding we arrive at the Bristol Motel in downtown Wawa, just in time for afternoon refreshments. Host, Willy Smedts welcomed us at the door and seeing as this is a traditional winter destination for most of the group when snowmobiling, everyone again makes themselves at home. The Smedts are leaders in developing snowmobile and ATV touring in the Wawa area. They are great hosts who go out of their way to cater to wilderness riders.
The next morning the weather is cool and sunny as we head out of Wawa, led this time by Willy Smedts. We are heading into real wilderness country and given the option of working through his favourite mud trails or taking the scenic route to Goudreau following trappers’ trails and abandoned logging roads. We decide on scenic and are extremely pleased as we enjoy the spectacular colours while passing many lakes and beaver ponds for the next 6 hours, often following trails that are barely recognizable as such. Some areas are flooded and there is still a fair amount of mud, but nothing that this group of veteran riders is not able to navigate. A quick stop in the forestry town of Dubreuilville for gas and a few supplies is a must before the last cross-country leg to Goudreau.
Goudreau is a small historical mining and logging town on the Algoma Central Railway line and has been resurrected by the Smedts to cater to wilderness motorsport adventurers. Bonnie Smedts greets everyone with pre-dinner refreshments by the outdoor fire and then returns to the kitchen to finish serving up one of her fabulous meals.
Both Goudreau and Halfway Haven are selected by wilderness travelers for their great family style food and hospitality to motorsport enthusiasts. No one loses weight on one of these tours.
The next morning everyone is aware that the tour is almost over as we prepared to ride the last leg to Hawk Junction. Willy again leads the group across the northern terrain for a couple of hours to meet the southbound train shortly after noon. While waiting for the train, Betty King’s daughter arrives to invite everyone to her house for lunch. The station master volunteers to phone us in time to get back to the station. This is typical of northern hospitality and a bonus of riding with local guides.
The train ride is an experience most of us have enjoyed in the past, but it is a nice way to unwind and the newly refurbished cars are a welcome surprise. This also provides an opportunity to relax and view the spectacular colours and scenery from another angle. The train crew is very passenger friendly and stops at many wilderness access points to pick up or deliver remote camp residents, guests and tourists alike. The train stopped at Searchmont so we could unload for the short ride to our highway vehicles.
Tracks to Trails is a popular way to experience the diversity of terrain and trails offered to ATV riders in Algoma and northern Ontario. Algoma has many wilderness trails, but the best ones are unmarked and should be experienced only with a guide selected to offer the experience and expectations of each group.
Bob Collins
Photos available – Check out the photos taken during the ATV ride!