Waterfall watching in northeastern Ontario

Northern Ontario adventurer Bill Steer says spring is one of the best times to see the power of northeastern Ontario's waterfalls.

"It's a time to go out and listen to that water and see it. It really is awe-inspiring," he said.

Steer compiled a list of waterfalls in the region,from those most easily accessible on a Sunday driveto the most challenging in remote locations.

The Sunday drives

Sudbury North

Onaping Falls
45 km northwest of Sudbury on Hwy 144 - just 3 kms north of Dowling
The A.Y. Jackson Lookout offers a scenic view of High Falls as it cascades 55 m into the Sudbury Basin. The site offers three trails, including a self-guided Geological Walking Tour which is wheelchair accessible.The lookout is also part of a self-guided driving tour that examines the unique rock types that created the vast mineral resources of the Sudbury Basin. The Welcome Centre has washroom facilities and picnic areas.

North Bay

Duchesney Falls
The lower falls on the west branch is the largest of all at Duchesnay, and is a cascade that falls roughly 8 m to 10 m and is close to the same width at its base. The lower falls grades into the upper falls, which is a long cascade that drops roughly 10 m to over 20 m. Hikers can walk right to the edge of the upper falls, by diverting off the main trail and carefully walking out across the exposed bedrock.

Mattawa

Eau Claire Gorge
The Eau Claire Gorge Conservation areais located along the Amable du Fond River and is rich in history. The area has strong ties to the J.R. Booth logging era as well as native legends. Remnants of a log slide still exist today and a reconstructed squatter's cabin was in established in 1990. This trail is very hilly and is not recommended for children due the height of the gorge and the sometimes slippery railway ties. The most spectacular scenic feature is the gorge itself, which is geologically significant and great views of rapids and waterfalls along the trail.

Sunridge to Parry Sound

Knoepli Falls - Highway 124 west of Sundridge
The Knoepli Falls was built at the same time as the locks and dam in Magnetawan. The falls can be seen from Highway124. This picturesque falls is magnificent considering that it actually has a purpose. The dam was erected to raise the water height in Ahmic Lake, enabling the steamboats to enter the lake and deposit both passengers and cargo in Ahmic Harbourduring the exploration of the district. To access the site, turn right (west) on Highway124 at Sundridge. Drive west about 25 km to Highway510 which goes south to Magnetawan. Continue west on Highway124 for another 7 km to a bridge crossing over the river. The falls are to your left.

Temiskaming Shores

Pete's Dam
Access is 2 km from Highway 11 on Highway 65W to Pete's Dam road.
Hike to the sights and sounds of a scenic cataract. This is a great place for a family outing with tiny tots!

Timmins

Kenogamissi Falls
Below the dam.Highway 144,Kenogamissi Falls Road.

North of Thessalon

Aubrey Falls - Mississagi River
100 km north on Highway129This is an impressive but very out of the way waterfall. This is one of the largest waterfalls in the Lake Huron Watershed and the long drive to the falls is very scenic. The flow over the falls is dam controlled and they may turn the falls "off" at night and between October and Victoria Day.

Sault Ste. Marie

Chippewa Falls Trans Canada Highway Highway 17 North
Chippewa Falls is located about 55 km north of Sault Ste. Marie, as you wind your way around beautiful Batchawana Bay. The falls themselves are visible from Highway 17. The place has a picnic/rest area where you can relax and watch the falls. Batchawana comes from the Ojibway name obatchiwanang which means 'where the flowing water rises to a boil through the force of its current'. A commemorative plaque is situated here depicting the halfway point of the Trans-Canada Highway. Numerous hiking trails too.

Further west, but east of Wawa

Sand River on Highway 17 North
This is one of the more popular hikes in the area. Every time I come here I am surprised by the number of vehicles in the parking lot. It is actually called the Pinguisibi Trail but most people know it as the Sand River trail. Located in Lake Superior Provincial Park, this trail takes you along the Sand River past a series of cascading waterfalls. The trail has some steeper sections and some wet areas that can be slippery. The river and the falls look very different in the spring than in the fall, so be sure to visit more than once.

A little more effort

Sudbury East

Blue Lagoon - Wolf Lake Wolf Lake Mountain
Kukagami Lake Road. Walk inor canoe.Accessible from Silvester Lake by canoe and portage, it is part of the Chiniguchi River system (Chiniguchi Waterway Provincial Park) and one of the prettiest canoe routes in Ontario. Road improvements aside, the latter half of the trip is mainly for a four-wheel drive vehicles.

The most difficult

New Post Falls- Cochrane/Smooth Rock Falls
The river has carved an uncharacteristically deep and narrow gorge, unlike just about anything else I've seen in Ontario. A really, deep narrow chasm that looks to be up to 50 m deep.

Till Falls Lake Superior Old Woman Bay Lake Superior ProvincialPark
Water access only.One of the highest waterfalls in Ontario and cascades as a "fan."Canoe, kayak or boat from Old Woman Bay,Highway 17 northeast of Wawa.

Agawa Falls Lake Superior ProvincialPark
Access by trail, railroadtracks or canoe.If you have a day to spare, and are looking for good adventure and a great waterfall, go see Agawa Falls. If you will not be in the area very long, or if you are not up for a day-long hike, you might want to skip Agawa and use the time to visit the other falls in Lake Superior Provincial Park and in Wawa.

Photogallery

After hearing Backroads Bill Steer talk about his favorite waterfalls in northern Ontario, CBC Radio listener Marc Johnson passed along some photos of his own. Send your waterfall photos to morningnorth@cbc.ca or through Twitter: @MorningNorth.