pkalisz
Versailles, KY
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Joined: 09/26/2002
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I would appreciate any information concerning summertime driving conditions and facilities along Canadian Highway 17 from Sault Ste. Marie through Thunder Bay and into Minnesota. I am especially curious about how difficult the road is for towing a fifth wheel (truck + trailer together are about 15m long)and whether there are pull-offs or other places where travelers can get off the road for relaxation or sight-seeing.Thanks for your help.
Paul Kalisz
Versailles, KY
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Red Snapper
Bad Axe, MI USA
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Joined: 02/05/2004
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I travel to Thunder Bay from the Soo every summer. The road is usually in very good shape. While you will probably encounter some road work, travel is good. There are several provincial parks along the way. I have not camped in them, but I do they are there. You will aslo find private campgrounds. From what I could observe, they may not be real fancy, they are functional. Make sure you take enough bug dope in May, June, July. I recommend MUSKOL with 100% DEET. You won't be sorry. Also, there are ample places to pull off and fuel shouldn't be a problem. It's a nice trip. Watch out for the MOOSE!
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DaYooper
Land of Trolls, below the Big Mac bridge
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Joined: 04/07/2003
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We drove on 17, but only to Pancake Bay Provincial Park, aprox an hour or so north of the soo. The road isn't bad, but the shoulder is gravel and there was quite abit of passing. It's a beautiful drive, especially the parts along the lake.
Pancake Bay prov park, might make a nice area to stop for lunch. Beautiful sand bay on Lake Superior. I'm not sure how large the lot was for the day use area, though. You might want to check out www.ontarioparks.com for more info.
Theres also Lake Superior Prov Park, and the town of Wawa for stopping off at. I haven't been any further along 17 then these areas.
Steve
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jimbunting
Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Joined: 07/31/2003
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Highway 17 is a part of the TRANS CANADA highway, the longest highway in the world, that is in ONE country.
On most upgrades, a additional right hand lane is for SLOW traffic, so others can pass you. On that route from the Soo to Thunder Bay, there are numerous "pull offs" that allow you to stop and take photos, or grab a quick lunch.
Jim Bunting.
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johny_maple
Brantford, ON.
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Joined: 05/16/2003
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Excerpt from my 2003 journal, Kakabeka Falls - Sault Ste. Marie: " Had another good run with alternating poor/mediocre/good road surfaces, mostly good." "Many scenic locations where I would normally pull off and take photographs were foregone due to towing the trailer." No room for paved shoulders much of the way. The Sault Ste. Marie KOA was one of the three best we've ever camped at. (The other two are in Revelstoke, British Columbia and Billings, Montana.) All the provincial parks along the way are well run. Nights are as black as the ace of spades so the stars are something else. Agawa has Indian pictographs and a great store for Canadiana. Wawa too has an interesting store. Our favourite PPs are Pancake Bay and Rainbow Falls. Can't comment on the Minnesota portion as we've always gone through Duluth on Hwy.2.
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Timber
Northern Ontario
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Joined: 01/18/2002
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As mentioned, highway 17 is in quite good shape with a lot of the construction completed, there are sufficient passing lanes on the hills as well, Pancake bay is a nice provincial park with a long sandy beach, Agawa Bay provincial campground is close to many hiking trails in Lake Superior Park, along the way are a few (too few) lookouts for stopping, the Agawa Indian pictographs are interesting. There are quite a few more parks between the Sault and Thunderbay such as Obatanga, white Lake, Puskasawa, Neys to mention a few, I understand that Puskasawa is great for hiking & sightseeing (hope I spelled it right)and a place worthwhile stopping at.
Remember that blackflies and mosquitos can be quite bad till mid/end of july, about the best repellant is deep woods off.
There are a couple of hills that will make your tow vehicle earn its keep, the Montreal River hill being one...nice hill and a fantastic view, just keep the eyes on the road, I tow a 25.5' jayco 5'er with an F150, 5.4 engine and make the trip often to Wawa/white River fishing .
Johnnie-maple is right, if you have to pull over be careful with some of the shoulders...they can be narrow and soft.
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Fizz
Ottawa, Canada
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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Sorry Snapper:
Quote:I recommend MUSKOL with 100% DEET
No longer available in Canada, apparantly we're to stupid to look after ourselves, again and the government had to step in. It's been cut down to a lower %, I forget how much. What they don't tell you is that it's just as deadly only wears off a little quicker and you have to re-apply more often.... go figure eh!
edit:
darn, just saw you're from USA, bring up a case and make money 
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Gruffy
monominto mb ca
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Joined: 10/02/2003
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In Canada, the National Highway is not like a Interstate. The route you are looking at is paved two lane road with passing lanes. It passes through towns and villages so you can expect areas with reduced speeds and street lights. The speed limit os 90KMH or 54 MPH.
The worst grade on highway #17 is 6% if memory serves... perhaps someone will be good enough to correct me if I'm wrong.
So relax and enjoy the trip. Fuel is available every 60 to 100 miles. It is most expensive north of the lake, so fill up close to Thunder Bay or the Sault.
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RangerJay
Northern Ontario
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Joined: 11/10/2003
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For the most part the road is good - the stretch between Sault Ste Marie and Wawa is very scenic as well as between Marathon and Nipigon. There are quite a few hills - but the lions share have passing lanes so there is no problem slowing and gearing down to climb.
The one rough part of the highway is between Nipigon and Thunder Bay - its overdue for resurfacing. Summertime will likely see some construction on the route somewhere.
Along the way our favourite provincial parks are Agawa Campground in Lake Superior Park, Obatanga Park, Neys Park, and Sleeping Giant (its off the highway). Be sure to see Ouimet Canyon - its also a few miles off the highway but is well worth the visit.
In Thunder Bay you leave highway 17 and take highway 61 to Minnesota.
Have a good trip.
Jay
2002 Bambi 19' - the "Toaster"
2003 Nissan Pathfinder - the "Buggy"
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