After your reply, Jon, I went back to revisit your video on the Lower Steel from Santoy to the Highway. Wow, that waterfall coming out of Santoy is stunning. Thanks for the reminder on that. If I start my trip on Santoy, and if the wind gods are playing nice, I'll definitely make the effort to visit that one. I wonder how many people do this loop and not know that an incredible natural treasure is right under their noses. I could tell by your reaction in the video that it really surprised you, as well. (Either that, or you're a pretty good actor!;)

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“A day without canoeing probably wouldn’t kill me, but why risk it?”

It's funny how it flies under the radar. If you have a long drive on day one and don't have time for Diablo, that campsite at the top of the falls is a great option. Then you could do the port and spend day two on Diablo L which is really beautiful. However your trip unfolds, enjoy!

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@Lost Lakes

I'll throw my two cents in....the bridge on the Catlonite that was out of commission is now fixed for regular vehicle traffic, so if you are coming from Longlac, no need for the diversion that was previously discussed.

If you start at Eaglecrest, the options for getting into Diablo lake are good. If you arrive at Santoy and it is blowing up a storm (as it very often does), you will be able to use the three ports into Diablo without worrying about being wind bound.

If you have never done Diablo, I say do it, for bragging rights, for a good dose of suffering, and for the unique scenery. If you have already done it, do the three ports, especially of you are coming from the north. I have done Diablo a dozen times, and don't care to ever set foot on it again.

The 800 meter port out of Diablo is not that bad, I always thought of it as a bit of a cake walk, especially after Diablo port. I always thought of the 600 meter port , the second one out of Steel Lake as being more pernicious.

The falls at the south end of Santoy are quite spectacular, last time I was there, an old fire grill was there, and a sort of camping spot. That falls has been responsible for the demise of a few fishermen, who didn't get their motors started in time, or something like that. There was the remnants of an old port the last time I looked, on river right.

Not sure what kind of condition the ports will be in, I think its been around three years since they were cleared, so they could be starting to get filled in again.

Thanks for the update on the route, Rob. So glad to hear that Eaglecrest can be accessed normally again. The route seems easier and more appealing to access from the north, but then I would most likely miss the Golden Staircase Falls. I guess I'll just have to see what the weather gives me on the day of my arrival.



Lol. Duly noted! I will keep this in mind when I arrive at Santoy Lake. As much as completing Diablo portage gets me into the "hardcore canoe tripper" category, I'm not a young man anymore. I'll see what mother nature gives me and how I feel on the day.

I am grateful for everyone's input and answer to my original question. Despite just having finished a nice morning hike in the snow-covered cedar forests of the Trent Trails at the north end of Peterborough, my heart wants to be paddling on a lake or river in northern Ontario. Planning my summer trips at this time of year gets me through the winter blahs, and now I know what my early July solo trip will be (yes, bugs and all!) Now if only I can decide on what my annual August trip with my father will be -- Allanwater/Kopka River vs. Quetico Falls Route Loop? But I'll save that for another thread a little later

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“A day without canoeing probably wouldn’t kill me, but why risk it?”

Just a note for anyone who's interested, I came across a youtube channel called, "Beauty of the Backcountry," where the Ranger Lake trip (full loop) was recently well documented in a series of videos.

Yep, Thanks Brad. I stumbled upon that video series as well shortly after launching this thread. It was well-done and informative. Even though I think I'm sold on doing the Steel first, that youtube series and Jon's from about 5 years ago has the Ranger Lake Loop calling to me, as well.

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“A day without canoeing probably wouldn’t kill me, but why risk it?”

what a great thread CD, really happy you started this. I did the Steel starting in Santoy about 10 years ago, and made it to Cairngorm before my buddy got really sick and we had to turn around. Obviously, this was a huge bummer but at least I got to do the Diablo Port twice in one trip.

How was it in reverse, this is the first I've heard of anyone running it backwards.

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Have canoe, will travel.

no less of a pain, lol, it might have been worse. my knees struggle with steep descents, especially weighted, but I can climb all day - I slipped on the steep section into Santoy & shredded my sea to summit portage pack.

For many years our school club ran a trip from Longlac to Santoy coming down the lake side of the loop, so I have gone down Diablo several times as well. It's not much different, in terms of suffering, but as noted above, perhaps a greater chance of wiping out coming down the steep section, fully loaded.

The fall is usually shorter when climbing up a steep portage and longer when descending down a steep portage.

Doc Hammond, did you ever make it back to complete the Steel River trip as originally intended?

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Brian
http://www.JohnstonPursuits.ca

 

I have not - the next few years I went to Wabakimi and then did the Kopka and then Covid happened. I'll be short on PTO this year (getting married) so I'm thinking the Steel fits nicely into what I have bandwidth for. looking back, I guess actually tried to do the Steel in 2017?

those who have a favorable opinion of the Steel, would you say this is an acceptable place for a WW novice first solo river trip? I'm fairly experienced on flat water, and want to grow into a competent WW paddler without biting off more than I can chew and doing nothing but lining and portaging. I've done the Kopka river (not as a solo trip) and again, just looking to push myself without getting in over my head so to speak.

If you go in August with typical water levels, you will be fine. By then, you are dealing mostly with just fast water. Just use common sense, port or line when in doubt.

River conditions change with water level, but yes I would consider the moving water sections of the Steel River very friendly to novice ww paddlers.

Even in ultra-lightweight boats the swift water sections were navigable on my trip (a July some years ago).