Hi folks, I'm doing the Ranger Lake Loop solo this month. Has anyone had success accessing Gong Lake up the access road lately? I know in spring it's a no-go. I've got 4x4 and with low water levels I'm hoping it's passable. Any info is appreciated!
Pete

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Sorry, I don't know the answer. But if no one responds and you decide to go down it, please post the conditions. I've attempted that loop a couple times and completed it once, but both times accessed from Lawrence Lake/Ranger Lake. Access from Gong Lake saves basically two days on the loop and one long portage, as you probably already know.

You bet. I'll be attempting this Wednesday morning and will post after the trip is complete.

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Well I tried to access via Laughing Lake Road, and I ended up with a flat tire...long story short I got out of that jam with the help of some generous and kind fellows from the Soo. I made it about 4kms up there before I decided to call it quits and turning around (and then realizing I had a flat). The best access I hear is via the Domtar road which I believe comes off Ranger Lake Road east of the boat launch. After loosing one tire I had no motivation to go explore that idea, so I just started from the launch on Ranger like everyone else.

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Thanks for the update. It never occurred to me to try to access from that direction. Several years ago I tried the Domtar Road route, but didn't get very far with a low-clearance car. Otherwise, how was the trip? Were you able to do the loop on both rivers?

The trip was good but with the repair delay and having to start at Ranger, I didn't make it as far as I wanted to. Adding to that, Gong Creek and the West Aubinadong were both very low, and I pushed upriver just to the first campsite and decided to not go any further as I wanted to spend time relaxing and fishing on Gong Lake. I know it's been said that this route is best in spring and that's what I hope to try next year. I plan on trying the Domtar access with my truck next spring (with an emergency kit this time, foolish on my part).

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Sorry to hear about your flat tire! I forgot to mention that. Well, you got further than I did my first time in... I only made it to Mystery Lake. The second time, when I did the whole loop, I was in in early July IRRC, and the water levels were okay/good. Of course, it probably depends on the year though. There's a YouTube video of the trip where someone does it in the spring and the water is raging compared to when I went... Beauty of the Backcountry channel.

I also did the route this spring, though the levels weren't anything like what they experienced @Beauty of the Backcountry.

After driving partway up Domtar in the spring and then walking the rest (from Saymo), I'm pretty confident that any 4wd vehicle with decent clearance should be able to get at least as far as the forest road past Saymo, where you make a right to head towards Island Lake. Sure, that's not all the way to Gong, but imo, Island and Mystery Lakes are a breeze and somewhat enjoyable (esp compared to Ranger and Saymo). That also sets you up to skip "most" of the Saymo/Island Lake portage.

It might be possible to make it all the way to Gong, but until I hear people start doing it, I won't be the guniea pig to try it

I'm also tempted to head back and complete some more exploration of the area next spring.

I'd happily drive up at least as far as the turn-off towards Island Lake, skipping the possibility of being windbound on Saymo is reason enough for me. Island and Mystery Lakes are beautiful and easy to paddle through.

One of the fellows who helped me with the tire said that it is possible to drive all the way to Gong. During my stay there, 2 guys had a small tin boat on the lake and were doing some fishing. I didn't speak with them, so I'm not sure if they drove a truck and trailer all the way there, or maybe brought an ATV. Either way I'll be trying in the spring and will update the forum with how it goes.

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