Sault Ste. Marie Canal Trails, ON (10-28-09)
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Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site
This hike began and ended at the Sault Sainte Marie Canal National Historic Site...a nice historical bonus to go along with a nice nature hike...
1895 Lock
This canal, or lock, was first constructed in 1895 completing a Canadian system of locks connecting Lake Superior to the lower lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. Though closed commercially in 1987 it continues to serve pleasure craft sailing between the lakes...
1895 Lock
This canal, or lock, was first constructed in 1895 completing a Canadian system of locks connecting Lake Superior to the lower lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. Though closed commercially in 1987 it continues to serve pleasure craft sailing between the lakes...This is the lock from the downstream entrance...
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Powerhouse
This structure was the old powerhouse located adjacent to the canal. Today it serves as the visitors centre (like the Canadian spelling:) for the historic site...
Stores & Blacksmith Building
This old building, located next to the powerhouse, was the stores and blacksmith building...all materials for maintaining the lock in its early days had too be produced on location...
Administration Building & Marine Post Office
This is the old administration building and marine Post Office...Today, it houses park offices and a gift shop...
1895 Lock
Crossing the old lock to get to the trails...
1895 Lock
Looking downstream as I cross the old lock...
1895 Lock
Looking upstream along the canal as I cross the old lock...
Attikamek Trail
Thus ends the historical part of the hike...now, off into the woods...
Attikamek Trail
I quickly came to this small, rather ugly little stream which bisects the first island...
Attikamek Trail
The woods here were quite crowded...at least a dozen little Chickadee's kept a close eye on me as I walked the trail...
Attikamek Trail
The woods here are not particularly pretty but the left over colors helped a bit...
Attikamek Trail
There were a number of these 'beaver' dams which created nice little ponds along the trail. I'm skeptical that they're natural, however, as I didn't see much evidence of beaver activity in the surrounding woods...
Fishermans spur trail
My goal was to get out to the St. Mary's Rapids...there's no defined trail out to them, but this path looked to be heading the right direction...
Fishermans spur trail
One of the larger ponds I passed...likely much prettier with leaves and blue skies...
Fishermans spur trail
A problem...I need to get to the other side...
Fishermans spur trail
I have no idea how I was able to stop and get this shot...crossing these shallows was a bit tricky...
Fishermans spur trail
Success!! I managed to pick my way along the right side of this shot and only got one foot wet...an acceptable loss...
Fishermans spur trail
Like I said before, there's no set trail out to the rapids, though the large numbers of fisherman that come out here have made a very convenient network of paths...
St. Mary's River
Trails end...I popped out along the river just across from this large building which I believe is part of the American locks...
St. Mary's River
Looking across the rather unimpressive St. Mary's Rapids...
St. Mary's River
Certainly not a wilderness experience...
St. Mary's River & International Bridge
Once upon a time the rapids here were quite impressive...the construction of the locks and adjacent power plants has cut down their flow considerably. You can still see how it would be difficult to take a ship of any size through here...
St. Mary's River
I spent some time wandering the shore along the rapids but was quite limited as to where I could go without hip waders...
Fishermans spur trail
Not sure how comfortable I'd feel camping here within plain sight of both border crossings...
Fishermans spur trail
Time to head back to the main trail...
Attikamek Trail
After successfully soaking my other foot I found myself back on the main trail which has some nice boardwalks...
Attikamek Trail
This little Rock Dove wasn't real pleased that I was walking on HIS boardwalk...
Attikamek Trail
A cute Mallard couple...
Attikamek Trail
Looking back at the large pond I had crossed earlier...
Attikamek Trail
A HUGE raven keeping watch over his territory...
Attikamek Trail
The setting of these beautiful wetlands against a background of steel was quite odd...
International Bridge
About to pass under the International Bridge...
Attikamek Trail
A look downstream from near the base of the bridge...
International Bridge
Passing beneath the bridge...
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Attikamek Trail
Adjacent to the International Bridge is this rail bridge, which I also had to pass...
St. Mary's River
The north end of the island...pretty despite the huge factories along the Canadian shore...
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St. Mary's River
Again, not a wilderness experience...
St. Mary's River Dam
These large dams are responsible for the lack of water flowing down the St. Mary's...I wonder at their necessity...electrical power perhaps?
St. Mary's River Dam
A look at the downstream side of the dam...
Attikamek Trail
Time to close the loop...
International Rail Bridge
Looking into the United States along the rail bridge...
Attikamek Trail
For a short time the trail parallels the International Bridge...quite cool...
Tansy
A tough little Tansy refuses to give into winter yet...
Attikamek Trail
After crossing back beneath the bridge the trail circles through this young grove of Aspens...
1895 Canal
Back along the old canal...the huge orange structure is the emergency swing bridge dam...
1895 Canal
It was nice not having railings along the edge...it made for easier picture taking...