Thanks for watching, here is some additional information for those who are interested in doing this trip: 1. River levels on the Batchawana Gauge were 2.39 to 2.36 over the course of the 3 days. 2. The maps are indeed correct, I had skipped the 2 named rapids below the gorge accidentally, and therefore was reading the maps 2 white water sets ahead at each one, hence why so many times I portaged when it wasn't needed or took the wrong channels. 3. I plan to go back and run this at higher levels next spring, and I think a 3.0 or higher is needed on the Batchawana Gauge. I would imagine if it is too high, the rapids would be washed out and the river would be flowing very fast. I think 4.0 would be too high. 4. If you intend to walk any portion of the tracks, be sure to verify with the park and ACR that the tracks are not in service. While they were not functional at the time of this trip, I imagine they will be repaired and in service at some point. 5. Lastly, there is a lot of raw footage in the video that I would normally remove to keep the storyline moving. But I wanted to include as much of the river as I could for others interested in doing the same trip.
Just discovered your video. Great trip of the canyon! You are the first person I have seen use Packrafts in Ontario. I discovered them around ten years ago and use them to access lost lakes in Lake Superior Park for brook trout. They are and amazing tool! One little tip when you get up hung up in low water spit your paddle in two and with one in each hand push your self along much easier than trying to paddle.
There aren't too many remote access rivers in Ontario so packrafts aren't too popular, but there are a number of people with them. Certainly more popular elsewhere for trips with massive portages. If you like this video, you'll probably love my Arctic Canyons series.
So awesome. We did the train ride a few years ago and it was amazing but must say seeing it from the water is much more beautiful and gives a whole new outlook on it. Gorgeous, thanks for taking us along.❤
Glad you liked it. I actually also want to take the train one day, just so I can see it from a different perspective. I'm hoping to go back and paddle it at a higher water level next year. It's a beautiful area.
Great video! It really captures the beauty of the river. I first paddled the Agawa in the early 90s and have paddled it several times since. That came to an abrupt halt with the demise of the ACR passenger train service. The water levels looked very good for that time of the year. Judging by the foliage on the trees, it looks like you made the trip in June. You mentioned that you would like higher water levels, but I have paddled the river with a lot less water going over the falls and it was a good float. You may have been at a disadvantage with a raft, but with a canoe, it is easier to pick your way through the boulders and find the deepest channels. The campsite you stayed at on the second night was a favorite of mine. A very scenic spot at a pool below the rapids a the chute just downstream. It is discouraging to see the tracks in such sad shape, but the Agawa Canyon Tour Train is selling tickets for this coming season, so hopefully it looks like the damage will be repaired. The ACR passenger train was great for accessing this river as well two other gems, the Batchawana River to the south, and the Sand River north of the Agawa. I am hoping the service will resume, but every year that goes by, that seems more and more unlikely. So, for those who want to paddle the Agawa in a canoe, it might be worthwhile to drive up Frater Road to Frater Station and park your car. Put your canoe and gear on a canoe cart and take a bumpy 11- or 12-mile trek down the tracks into Canyon Station or a little further upstream and put in just below the gorge.
Thanks, happy you enjoyed it. I paddled it the last weekend of May. I guess I was just hoping for bigger rapids, hence my comment about water levels. I would imagine in an open canoe, these levels would be better. I found that campsite randomly and really enjoyed it, I wasn't even sure it was an official one until I had already stopped. They did end up fixing the tracks later in the summer and the train did in fact run, so perhaps they need to repair them each year, I'm not sure. My initially to drive to Eton but was warned that the road becomes extremely rough so abandoned that idea. I'll be back in the spring, hoping to catch the melt levels.
It's an amazing area. Water was super low by the time I made it there though. Planning to go back next year, should be wild in high water. FYI: I also watched your middle mad video yesterday with Ben and Riley.
The more the merrier buddy. Getting your boat up river will be the challenge. The train has run in previous years, and you can put your boat on it for a shuttle into the canyon, but it only runs in the fall for a day tour, and that is if the tracks get repaired. So a white water spring run essentially requires a 30km portage...hence the packraft :)
Hummm.....don't laugh at the sitting strap. lol I would certainly try one but with back issues and not one ounce of junk in my trunk I am betting no so comfy for me. ha! ha! A bit pricey but think I would have to stick with my Chair Zero. :) A wonderful trip and some terrific campsites. We have urban foxes in our area and they are pretty harmless. They hang around and will surely steal any food left unattended but keep their distance to a certain degree. I don't feed them but I am sure people do, that is why they hang around. Thanks for sharing, :) :)
I also have the chair zero, but it doesn't always make it on my trips. It's comfier than you would think, but understand it's not for everyone. I get more junk in my trunk as I age 😀
Amazing trip! I have searched on line, this is the only video I can find of hiking to the canyon park instead of by train. I am thinking to hike to the park this fall. Can anybody tell me exactly how long it is from Towab trail head to the train stop in the park? And how long it will be by hiking to there? Thanks.
@@Suluk46 In your video, it doesn't show how to get to the train track from the Towab trailhead clearly. Do you mean I have to find out my own way? How long will it take? Thanks.
Park at Towab Trail head. Hike north on Frater road until you leave the park boundary at Frater station. Then bushwhack into the canyon. It will take 9 hours. There is no defined trail, you have to make your own from the hydroline, snowmobile trails, game trails, and river banks. Be fluent in off trail navigation, and comfortable orienteering through thick brush. You'll get there eventually. Once it opens up, it is beautiful.
Custom made by my friends down under. Terra Rosa Gear. Lightest and warmest hat you can get. Got him to make it out of good ol' Canadian flannel panels. Hit him up for one.
Awesome video man. I filmed this about 10 years ago we got dropped off by train at the station.. I also filmed it about two years ago and we were Evacuated out by CN rail. Because of your video, I want to do this again this summer. Love the content. How do I find the flow of the river?
It's a great river, doesn't get much traffic. You can check the river level on the Batchawana River gauge. I remember seeing some guys get a ride out by the rail company. Not sure if that was you guys.
There can't be videos showing otherwise, the tracks were left in disrepair, I show the missing and damaged sections in the video. They have since been repaired, some time last year,. And the only contract on these tracks right now is the tourist train in the fall.
I've spent lots of time hiking and canoeing in Lake superior provincial park including the towab trail. Your video was awesome. Must have been a great adventure.
Thanks. Yes, it is a beautiful area. I was just up there 2 weeks ago, that's how I know about the tracks being repaired. You can get up to Eton on Frater road, or along the hydroline where the climbers camp is. I certainly don't recommend walking on the tracks, do so at your own risk. I've never considered going in from Sand Lake, although I know it is possible.
They most definitely have been repaired, I just took the train in August of 2024. The train Tour only runs June to mid October...... So the rest of the year they sit mostly unused.
Sweet video and fun adventure. That fox definitely wants some food. WILD!!
Glad you liked it. The route is super fun.
Very cool. The fox is definitely used to being fed by visitors.
Thanks for watching, here is some additional information for those who are interested in doing this trip:
1. River levels on the Batchawana Gauge were 2.39 to 2.36 over the course of the 3 days.
2. The maps are indeed correct, I had skipped the 2 named rapids below the gorge accidentally, and therefore was reading the maps 2 white water sets ahead at each one, hence why so many times I portaged when it wasn't needed or took the wrong channels.
3. I plan to go back and run this at higher levels next spring, and I think a 3.0 or higher is needed on the Batchawana Gauge. I would imagine if it is too high, the rapids would be washed out and the river would be flowing very fast. I think 4.0 would be too high.
4. If you intend to walk any portion of the tracks, be sure to verify with the park and ACR that the tracks are not in service. While they were not functional at the time of this trip, I imagine they will be repaired and in service at some point.
5. Lastly, there is a lot of raw footage in the video that I would normally remove to keep the storyline moving. But I wanted to include as much of the river as I could for others interested in doing the same trip.
Majestic adventure my friend, you filmed this brilliantly! Well done👏👏
Thanks, the trip was really fun. I'm looking forward to going back now that I know the area better.
Great trip! Beautiful river thanks for sharing. Glad you are ok.
I survived...but got lucky. Glad you liked this area, it's pretty incredible.
Just discovered your video. Great trip of the canyon! You are the first person I have seen use Packrafts in Ontario. I discovered them around ten years ago and use them to access lost lakes in Lake Superior Park for brook trout. They are and amazing tool! One little tip when you get up hung up in low water spit your paddle in two and with one in each hand push your self along much easier than trying to paddle.
There aren't too many remote access rivers in Ontario so packrafts aren't too popular, but there are a number of people with them. Certainly more popular elsewhere for trips with massive portages. If you like this video, you'll probably love my Arctic Canyons series.
So awesome. We did the train ride a few years ago and it was amazing but must say seeing it from the water is much more beautiful and gives a whole new outlook on it. Gorgeous, thanks for taking us along.❤
Glad you liked it. I actually also want to take the train one day, just so I can see it from a different perspective. I'm hoping to go back and paddle it at a higher water level next year. It's a beautiful area.
Great video! It really captures the beauty of the river. I first paddled the Agawa in the early 90s and have paddled it several times since. That came to an abrupt halt with the demise of the ACR passenger train service. The water levels looked very good for that time of the year. Judging by the foliage on the trees, it looks like you made the trip in June. You mentioned that you would like higher water levels, but I have paddled the river with a lot less water going over the falls and it was a good float. You may have been at a disadvantage with a raft, but with a canoe, it is easier to pick your way through the boulders and find the deepest channels. The campsite you stayed at on the second night was a favorite of mine. A very scenic spot at a pool below the rapids a the chute just downstream. It is discouraging to see the tracks in such sad shape, but the Agawa Canyon Tour Train is selling tickets for this coming season, so hopefully it looks like the damage will be repaired. The ACR passenger train was great for accessing this river as well two other gems, the Batchawana River to the south, and the Sand River north of the Agawa. I am hoping the service will resume, but every year that goes by, that seems more and more unlikely. So, for those who want to paddle the Agawa in a canoe, it might be worthwhile to drive up Frater Road to Frater Station and park your car. Put your canoe and gear on a canoe cart and take a bumpy 11- or 12-mile trek down the tracks into Canyon Station or a little further upstream and put in just below the gorge.
Thanks, happy you enjoyed it. I paddled it the last weekend of May. I guess I was just hoping for bigger rapids, hence my comment about water levels. I would imagine in an open canoe, these levels would be better. I found that campsite randomly and really enjoyed it, I wasn't even sure it was an official one until I had already stopped. They did end up fixing the tracks later in the summer and the train did in fact run, so perhaps they need to repair them each year, I'm not sure. My initially to drive to Eton but was warned that the road becomes extremely rough so abandoned that idea. I'll be back in the spring, hoping to catch the melt levels.
Man what an epic adventure! You’ve got me itching to get up there. Great video.
It's an amazing area. Water was super low by the time I made it there though. Planning to go back next year, should be wild in high water. FYI: I also watched your middle mad video yesterday with Ben and Riley.
@@Suluk46 cheers Steve, maybe we’ll have to join you next time! I wonder if one could get in there with a canoe on some wheels
The more the merrier buddy. Getting your boat up river will be the challenge. The train has run in previous years, and you can put your boat on it for a shuttle into the canyon, but it only runs in the fall for a day tour, and that is if the tracks get repaired. So a white water spring run essentially requires a 30km portage...hence the packraft :)
@@Suluk46 I love it man, your logistics breakdown was awesome. Might have to canoe cart it😂
Hummm.....don't laugh at the sitting strap. lol I would certainly try one but with back issues and not one ounce of junk in my trunk I am betting no so comfy for me. ha! ha! A bit pricey but think I would have to stick with my Chair Zero. :) A wonderful trip and some terrific campsites. We have urban foxes in our area and they are pretty harmless. They hang around and will surely steal any food left unattended but keep their distance to a certain degree. I don't feed them but I am sure people do, that is why they hang around. Thanks for sharing, :) :)
I also have the chair zero, but it doesn't always make it on my trips. It's comfier than you would think, but understand it's not for everyone. I get more junk in my trunk as I age 😀
Breath taking!
This was a really cool trip. I'm going to go back next spring.
Great video! Makes me want to go!
Glad you liked it. The area is really incredible. Surprised more people don't paddle it.
Ballsy, not best to do that alone. Awesome video.
Thanks. It's an awesome trip. Definitely gotta be curious on your own though.
Amazing trip! I have searched on line, this is the only video I can find of hiking to the canyon park instead of by train. I am thinking to hike to the park this fall. Can anybody tell me exactly how long it is from Towab trail head to the train stop in the park? And how long it will be by hiking to there? Thanks.
It will take the better part of a day to hike there. Once you leave the park, you have to hike off trail and find your own route.
@@Suluk46 In your video, it doesn't show how to get to the train track from the Towab trailhead clearly. Do you mean I have to find out my own way? How long will it take? Thanks.
Park at Towab Trail head. Hike north on Frater road until you leave the park boundary at Frater station. Then bushwhack into the canyon. It will take 9 hours. There is no defined trail, you have to make your own from the hydroline, snowmobile trails, game trails, and river banks. Be fluent in off trail navigation, and comfortable orienteering through thick brush. You'll get there eventually. Once it opens up, it is beautiful.
@@Suluk46 Thank you very much! It is very helpful.
What is that flannel cousin Eddy hat? Is that foldable and down? I must know more.
Custom made by my friends down under. Terra Rosa Gear. Lightest and warmest hat you can get. Got him to make it out of good ol' Canadian flannel panels. Hit him up for one.
Sad to see the railway in such a state. Those washouts all occurred within the last twelve months.
I heard they were going to fix them in time for the Tourist Train this summer. Not sure what the current status is though.
Awesome video man. I filmed this about 10 years ago we got dropped off by train at the station.. I also filmed it about two years ago and we were Evacuated out by CN rail. Because of your video, I want to do this again this summer. Love the content. How do I find the flow of the river?
It's a great river, doesn't get much traffic. You can check the river level on the Batchawana River gauge. I remember seeing some guys get a ride out by the rail company. Not sure if that was you guys.
The thing on the tracks at about 4:50 is a dragging equipment detector, it would give a warning if anything dragging on a train hits it.
Thanks for that. Makes sense. I thought maybe is was to warn of the damaged rails.
at what point of the towab did you switch to walking on the tracks? planning on doing this with friends but online information is sparse
Take the hydroline. The tracks have trains running on them now since they have been fixed.
You say the tracks are abandoned yet there are a number of videos that show otherwise. How much longer would it have taken to hike on to sand lake??
There can't be videos showing otherwise, the tracks were left in disrepair, I show the missing and damaged sections in the video. They have since been repaired, some time last year,. And the only contract on these tracks right now is the tourist train in the fall.
I've spent lots of time hiking and canoeing in Lake superior provincial park including the towab trail. Your video was awesome. Must have been a great adventure.
Thanks. Yes, it is a beautiful area. I was just up there 2 weeks ago, that's how I know about the tracks being repaired. You can get up to Eton on Frater road, or along the hydroline where the climbers camp is. I certainly don't recommend walking on the tracks, do so at your own risk. I've never considered going in from Sand Lake, although I know it is possible.
They most definitely have been repaired, I just took the train in August of 2024.
The train
Tour only runs June to mid October...... So the rest of the year they sit mostly unused.
Is the canyon accessible by car?
No roads into the canyon. Closest access is Frater where I went in or Eton but you would need a burly vehicle to drive that old logging road.
Relax on the fox man! Were you scared? 😕 Clearly some ignorant people have been feeding it. Relax on the cute puppy. Not your best moment.
I think there might be a lesson hiding in there somewhere 😁👍
Puppy? 😂