Shoreline at the Rainbow Falls Campground near Rossport, Ontario. Rossport is on the north side of Nipigon Bay, on the north shore of Lake Superior about 160 miles beyond Thunder Bay
Shoreline at the Rainbow Falls Campground near Rossport, Ontario. Rossport is on the north side of Nipigon Bay, on the north shore of Lake Superior about 160 miles beyond Thunder Bay
The beginning of Rainbow Falls, the outlet of a small lake which tumbles and falls down a long series of drops before reaching Nipigon Bay
Our photographers, Jim Grace and Diane Lowry
Preparing to launch at Rossport - Diane and Jim
John, Jerry, Doc and Betsy, packing boats
Our group of 12 first paddled out to the Battle Island Lighthouse, off Wilson Island at the entrance to Nipigon Bay, about 6 miles out from Rossport
Looking west towards Simpson Island, from the lighthouse
Looking back (north) towards Rossport
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The retired lighthouse keeper gave us a tour
But that of course was Scott in the previous pic - this old truck was on the trail to the lighthouse
I think this was as we arrived at our first campsite - after crossing to Simpson and then St Ignace Island, and after much discussion about what a perfect campsite should be! This is typical of the “beaches” in the area - narrow and rocky
Tuesday morning brought light rain and fog as we made our way along the outer shore of St Ignace
John Craun taking it all in while relaxing in his hand built cedar strip kayak
The fog was heavy and we had started on a blind crossing of a shallow bay when we heard what sounded like a waterfall. We headed in and spent about a half hour attempting to surf at the mouth of a small creek. That's Jim Grace, with Rich McKnight in the background
On day two, after the rain, fog, a sauna at the CPR Slip at the southwest corner of St Ignace, rounding the rocky Newash Point in challenging wind and waves, saying goodbye to John Craun and Scott as they began their 90 mile trip from the Nipigon Strait to Little Trout Bay, and making our way though the channel back to Nipigon Bay, we finally reached Caribou Bay, literally at the end of a rainbow
The dock, bunkhouse and sauna facilities on Caribu Point are “maintained” by the Red Rock Fish and Game Club, and are made available to boaters for emergency use. After paddling an estimated 25 miles, late into the afternoon with building waves, and with no other suitable campsites since leaving John and Scott, we determined that it was an emergency
John Pearson, Doc, Deb, Diane, and Jim Umble
We were windbound on Caribou Point until late afternoon, at which time we launched to try and make up some miles - back to Simpson Island if possible. While taking a break here Jim Grace spotted a moose about a mile down the shoreline! We caught up to it but had only a fleeting look before it took cover in the forest
We had paddled well past 9pm before finding a “suitable” campsite. After establishing camp and changing into dry clothes we all huddled around John's campfire (a candle) exchanging stories of previous adventures. On Thursday PM we arrived back at Rossport in great spirits - after crossing Moffit Strait and having sung our way the last few miles across Nipigon Bay