The group I have been going up to the UP with since the mid 90's have been talking for years about going into Canada via snow train as far as it goes and backpacking back to sault saint marie, We are planning on doing this trip in the winter of 2018, that way we can cross all of our t's and dot all our I's before we do. We have heard things such as needing a satellite phone, its about a 4 1/2 day trip back, there is a minimum amount of mileage per tank you should get out of your sled as stops are far and few and in between. Was hoping someone had some input of things we should consider, we are a group of trail riders, no off trail, we will have approximately 10-12 riders. Just looking for some considerations maybe we haven't looked at. I know weather can be iffy (like this year) but maybe what's the best time of year to go. haven't looked at trails yet, are there more scenic trails to take, are there sled restrictions are we able to get all of us on one sled train. we don't want to take any kind of guided tour. Any feedback, help or direction would be greatly appreciated.
algoma snow train/canada trip
- Thread starter euphoric1
- Start date
groomerdriver
New member
Is the train running again? Heard it was no longer.
Last I heard, snow train still running. I will check this out. It is a good trip. 4 days will easily do it, but you should always plan for "what if". Gas availability is not as good as it used to be. Need at least 150/200 mile range. I would lean to 200. You have to do the final gas stop plans close to your trip dates due to changes. Some are only open at certain times during the day. You will really enjoy it as the best in trail/touring at it's very best. Routes and trails also continue to change. Go to OFSC web site for good info, also local clubs and info available there. Local clubs are very good. Good luck, you will be happy!!!!!!!!!!!
We're heading that way on Saturday. The train isn't running but supposedly might be again next year. You don't need the train to ride from the Sault now that halfway haven is open again. I can send you some info next week. The riding is incredible up there but you need to be ready for the cold. We've hardly scratched the surface on where you can go up there.
Here's one loop you can do:
https://www.facebook.com/RelaisMagp...5493145660761/445493055660770/?type=3&theater
Also google the "great northern ride" for a longer one.
Quite a few of the trails up there fell off the map over the past 5 years or so basically to funding issues, but a lot of them are opening up again this year and next year. They seem to be getting things back together again.
Look up the magpie relay hotel or find the groomer guy on facebook and get in touch with them for help with planning.
We don't have a satellite phone but it might not be the worst idea. With 10-12 sleds I don't think you'll be putting yourself in danger. Towns and gas are far apart but manageable.
Here's one loop you can do:
https://www.facebook.com/RelaisMagp...5493145660761/445493055660770/?type=3&theater
Also google the "great northern ride" for a longer one.
Quite a few of the trails up there fell off the map over the past 5 years or so basically to funding issues, but a lot of them are opening up again this year and next year. They seem to be getting things back together again.
Look up the magpie relay hotel or find the groomer guy on facebook and get in touch with them for help with planning.
We don't have a satellite phone but it might not be the worst idea. With 10-12 sleds I don't think you'll be putting yourself in danger. Towns and gas are far apart but manageable.
old abe, thank you, and yes I figured to plan for the worst, this is the feed back I have been looking for and considerations I need to look at, we have learned over the years about fuel reserves as our rides have gotten longer and planning fuel stops have gotten more important, we have run into instances when rides have gotten late and the very friendly and very helpful people of the UP have actually phoned ahead for us to make sure the next stop would be open. But I know things are different in Canada as the populous is far less and the wilderness more expansive and this is why we are planning for '18 so we can take all considerations, Thank You Again !!
Hoosier, Thank You, any information would be greatly appreciated, I am assuming that halfway haven is also a point from where a train leaves? we aren't fair weather riders and have ridden probably when we shouldn't have but when you commit to a trip...you go, weather doesn't always work in your favor. Have a safe trip, look forward to any info you can send my way, thank you for the link and again I appreciate it, thank you !!
I've only been up there a few times, but no, I don't see where you need 150 miles between stops. That might have been the case when halfway haven was shut down. There may be stretches like that but I haven't ridden them. I'd say more like 90 - 100. Halfway haven is halfway or so from say the Sault to wawa or Chapleau.
One issue is that Ontario has shut down a bunch of mom and pop gas stations for new tank regulations. Right now for example the station in Searchmont is shut down. So with our sleds we can't make it from the Sault all the way to Halfway. So we are starting in Searchmont instead. I think Searchmont to Halfway is around 80 miles, and then Wawa is another 60 after that. If Halfway wasn't there, and you were riding from the Sault, you'd probably be looking at 150-200. Halfway Haven is completely in the wilderness, so that tank of gas will be 3x whatever else you are paying.
We're planning on riding from Searchmont to Sudbury to Timmons to Chapleau back to Searchmont from Sun-Tues. We may instead ride from Searchmont to Timmons to Hearst to Wawa to Searchmont. Not sure yet but will finalize plans on the way up.
I wouldn't get freaked out about it but you need to plan ahead more up there than say in Wisconsin or the UP. There just aren't any amenities between stops. Trails aren't marked the same. You also have a lot more snow and way less traffic. You can't really bar hop up there so you lose that element, which is a good thing in my view. The trails are incredible but the ones I've been on aren't RR grades so you have to be a bit cautious about how many miles you are planning to put on every day.
I would totally recommend riding up there. I don't see the appeal of the train - I'd just assume ride my sled each way. But I've never done the train either so it might be cool.
2 of us have 10 year old carbed sleds so you can have fun without the latest tech up there. Be nice to carry some gas if you can.
This site has a lot of info: http://www.ofsc.on.ca/
Go to that then go trip planner then trail guide. You can plot out your whole trip, see gas stops, etc. on there.
One issue is that Ontario has shut down a bunch of mom and pop gas stations for new tank regulations. Right now for example the station in Searchmont is shut down. So with our sleds we can't make it from the Sault all the way to Halfway. So we are starting in Searchmont instead. I think Searchmont to Halfway is around 80 miles, and then Wawa is another 60 after that. If Halfway wasn't there, and you were riding from the Sault, you'd probably be looking at 150-200. Halfway Haven is completely in the wilderness, so that tank of gas will be 3x whatever else you are paying.
We're planning on riding from Searchmont to Sudbury to Timmons to Chapleau back to Searchmont from Sun-Tues. We may instead ride from Searchmont to Timmons to Hearst to Wawa to Searchmont. Not sure yet but will finalize plans on the way up.
I wouldn't get freaked out about it but you need to plan ahead more up there than say in Wisconsin or the UP. There just aren't any amenities between stops. Trails aren't marked the same. You also have a lot more snow and way less traffic. You can't really bar hop up there so you lose that element, which is a good thing in my view. The trails are incredible but the ones I've been on aren't RR grades so you have to be a bit cautious about how many miles you are planning to put on every day.
I would totally recommend riding up there. I don't see the appeal of the train - I'd just assume ride my sled each way. But I've never done the train either so it might be cool.
2 of us have 10 year old carbed sleds so you can have fun without the latest tech up there. Be nice to carry some gas if you can.
This site has a lot of info: http://www.ofsc.on.ca/
Go to that then go trip planner then trail guide. You can plot out your whole trip, see gas stops, etc. on there.
What I meant with the 150/200 mile range, was not to freak out anyone, but just to carry enough gas as to not have to worry. 150 would be the very least that I would do. If you need it, you have it. And please be aware that the gas stops may only be open at certain times. Well traveled routes are not the problem as are the "outer", less traveled are. And no you don't have to have the latest sleds to do this. Many older, high mileage, well cared for sleds up there. The trip from Searchmont, to Timmins, to Hearst, to Wawa, back to Searchmont, in a Sunday thru Tues time frame is a real haul??? Good luck, enjoy, and be safe!!!!!! I love it up there!!!!! Early pay annual permit is the way to go for several trips in the same year, or take in the 3 free day weekend deal as part of a trip.
I agree with this - I wish we had the capability on our sleds to carry some extra gas. We had a situation last time up where we were told a closed trail was passable but it was not, so we had to backtrack and cut it closer than we wanted to. A few extra gallons on each sled would have cut out the range anxiety.
We have only ridden about 1/2 of that particular loop before so that might end up being too ambitious for 3 days. We'll see. I think it's about 800 clicks - while some of those trails are wide open, they aren't rr grades so can't just fly the whole time. We like to stop and play around a lot too - we don't stick to plans very well...
srt20
Active member
Searchmont to Timmons is 5-6 hrs by car. Got to be a lot more by sled. There is gas in Foyelet, not sure if trail runs through there, but I would think it does since there is nothing else close by.
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Searchmont to Timmons is 5-6 hrs by car. Got to be a lot more by sled. There is gas in Foyelet, not sure if trail runs through there, but I would think it does since there is nothing else close by.
Edit: I'm almost positive the trail goes to Foyelet. I've been on the trail with my UTV.
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Searchmont to Timmons is 5-6 hrs by car. Got to be a lot more by sled. There is gas in Foyelet, not sure if trail runs through there, but I would think it does since there is nothing else close by.
Edit: I'm almost positive the trail goes to Foyelet. I've been on the trail with my UTV.
Yes, goes Searchmont, halfway haven, chapleau, foyelet, timmins
Right now there's a lot. But it's supposed to be in the 40's and up all next week so it will probably start going fast. Most years you can ride well into April up there. Just like everywhere else they had nothing until mid-January this year.
If you take the train (if it's still operational) from Sault to Hearst, it takes about 12hrs.- only goes about 35mph. and stops a lot. Will stop in the middle of nowhere to drop someone off at a cabin. Did it about 12yrs. ago; was fun to do once but, I don't think I would ride it again. Also, no food on the trip- you have to pack a cooler.
polarisrider1
New member
Perfect answer. I run all over that area and we always bring extra gas.
We ended up riding Searchmont to Halfway to Chapleau day 1, Chapleau to Timmons to Hearst Day 2, and Hearst to Hornepayne to Dubreville to Halfway to Searchmont Day 3. Day 1 was around 160 miles, Day 2 and 3 were both around 390. We would have liked to get more of the miles on Day 1 and get to Timmons or least Foyelet, but we got a late start and ran out of time. Would have like to have more time to play off trail too but it was kind of crunchy anyway from the warmer weather.
Had good conditions the first 2 1/2 days, then rode in a downpour the last half of the 3rd day. That got old fast, but then we still had to do that for another 150 miles. Conditions in general were good but not as good as normal up there because of the warmer weather. Still nothing to complain about before the rain. Virtually no traffic - probably saw less than 10 sleds each day.
While in Hearst at the end of day 2, we ran into a group at the hotel restaurant that included some of the guys in charge of grooming in Searchmont. They heard what we were trying to do and said the trails were bad from halfway down to Searchmont, with the rain that already hit and was still coming, so they called down and sent a groomer out to clean it up for us. Pretty cool if you ask me.
So all in all had a great trip. Would like to do it again next year with 4 full days. We passed a lot of play spots and smaller loops that would have been fun to explore.
Had good conditions the first 2 1/2 days, then rode in a downpour the last half of the 3rd day. That got old fast, but then we still had to do that for another 150 miles. Conditions in general were good but not as good as normal up there because of the warmer weather. Still nothing to complain about before the rain. Virtually no traffic - probably saw less than 10 sleds each day.
While in Hearst at the end of day 2, we ran into a group at the hotel restaurant that included some of the guys in charge of grooming in Searchmont. They heard what we were trying to do and said the trails were bad from halfway down to Searchmont, with the rain that already hit and was still coming, so they called down and sent a groomer out to clean it up for us. Pretty cool if you ask me.
So all in all had a great trip. Would like to do it again next year with 4 full days. We passed a lot of play spots and smaller loops that would have been fun to explore.
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firefighter1
Member
Was hoping to do that trip with the train ride in the next 5 years. But maybe we will skip the train and ride both ways. Sounds like a decent amount of planning goes into this trip, but it's a bucket list item so I will plan.