Wild Coast: 10 Days Canoeing Lake Superior | Pukaskwa to Michipicoten

Superior, the world's largest freshwater lake and very much an inland sea. This powerful body of water is larger than the country of Austria and directly influences the climate of its surrounding landmass. Fog can envelop her shoreline for days on end and wicked storms can whip up waves over 10m in height, taking with them many a ship. In the summer of 2018, Leah and I spent an amazing 10 days canoeing the most remote coast in the Great Lakes - 220km of undeveloped, wilderness shoreline. We were moved by the lakes' rugged coastal mountains, boreal 'rainforests' and endless sandy beaches.
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Thanks for watching.

[@moabis8133]

I did this exact trip when I was 16 years old with my grandfather in kayaks. One of the greatest trips of my life.

[@shanevondra2001]

Can't tell you how much I appreciate this. You did justice to God's Creation. I'm not too religious but Pukaskwa is a spiritual place. 66 yrs old now, fellow paddling wife is 68. We spent 35 years or so exploring the coast, first hiking and following a flagged "trail" down past White River, then canoeing in later years, every summer. Remote for detachment. Meeting anyone was an event. Saw Bill Mason's fire and footprints on the sandspit out from the Oiseau River (now blown out in a flood) but didn't know who the hell he was. Seemed we were the only visitors many years. Recall Bill had a camp set up at the University Dog River. Seeing caribou and bears along shore. Rounding a point in 20 ft swells and watching a moose swim by with low golden sun glinting off its antlers. Willow River - unzipping the tent at 6am and staring down at fresh giant moose tracks inches away, with young moose tracks a little farther out. Windbound at the Willow River with a really old couple (my age now) canoeing with ancient basset hounds - geologists who related getting lost, watching bears tear apart their remote camp, but later finding oil seepages in northern Alberta. 400 million dollar oil claim. The summer gold was found, helicopters racing up and down the coast, landing at Oiseau Bay and miners lugging core samples down the Willow, even though we're in a protected park. Everyone has memories, but you don't realize the significance until you get old. Future generations will need to guard against development. And human sounds. Putting the bridge across the Pic River was the first development stab. Greed and human demand never dies. The proposed road down to Oiseau Bay (complete with marina) was shot down thanks to rare arctic plants and Pitchers Thistle, and the public input. If part of the Park mandate is protection, I wonder how the clearcut logging around the headwaters outside the park border effects water flowing into Pukaskwa? And the wildlife. Not to mention the mining outside the Park. Thought I recall reading about mercury or something in the nearby Eagle River. Damning the White River. Bill Mason soaked his bones in this area and I believe this place will demand something of all who know this place, to protect the ancient shared heritage. I think he would like these quotes from Thoreau: "Do what you love. Know your own bone; gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw it still." And especially, "This was that Earth of which we have heard, made out of Chaos and Old Night. Here was no man's garden, but the unhandseled globe. It was not lawn, nor pasture, nor mead, nor woodland, nor lea, nor arable, nor wasteland…Man was not to be associated with it. It was Matter, vast, terrific…rocks, trees, wind on our cheeks! the solid earth! the actual world! the common sense! Contact! Contact! "

[@Juxtaposed1Nmotion]

This comment is a treasure. As an Ontarian and Canadian it resonated

[@Knuckles6twofour]

You are so lucky to have found someone you can do these trips with like this. Awesome videos!

[@paultaylor3856]

One of my favourite canoe tripping videos, I’ve watched it a number of times, just so good.

[@user-to1to7ck8v]

The cascade falls were spectacular! I've never seen that part of lake superior before. Just beautiful ❤

[@nedVenturesOut]

Love the Green Bay packer hat!!!

[@canoeguide]

What a fantastic trip! I've logged thousands of miles paddling big water in open-decked canoes so I can appreciate the spray cover. There's been plenty of times I've questioned if I should be out in such waves but you rapidly gain confidence in your skill and your boat. Cheers!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

I totally get that!! This was out first season with a decked boat and man, we loved it!! I've done tons of big water paddling in an open canoe as well, but the decking adds a nice level of security. You're right though, it's great to hon your skills before decking the boat so you can tackle even bigger waters with adequate skills and confidence.

[@PVLocalFirst]

@@ExploreTheBackcountry how come no dry suits? I love your videos, but a lot of paddlers have died on Lake Superior from the cold water.

[@user-to1to7ck8v]

I find lake superior so fascinating bcuz it seems more like an ocean than a lake. It's really incredible ❤

[@davidwadsworth8982]

I love the Great Lakes, always have,for 67 years. Love watching travel videos about them, I even worked on the lakesknow ALL about their power. But I just realized something this morning. These videos will get out the news about how spectacular all the lakes are and soon they will become like the "New Jersey Shore". "Snooky's and Situations" everywhere. Rude will rule,freaking BEACH TAGS, pandemic of beach whistles covering the beach's,traffic jams up the ass. OMG what have we done.

[@Ravenfire385]

I'm so glad KZbin recommended this video! I've been wondering if canoeing Superior was even possible, but this proves that not only is it possible, it's something I really need to do in my lifetime! Thank you for documenting your amazing adventure.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

It's an amazing place to paddle! You won't be disappointed!! 😁

[@tombeckett4340]

Awesome trip guys. We had our honeymoon on the Slate Islands off of Terrace Bay over 40 years ago. Lots of Caribou and no bugs back then. Fresh Lake Trout everyday. Apparently there are black fly’s and not many Caribou now. People say the Timber Wolfs got out there and changed everything. What a shame. At one time there were over 500 Caribou on the Island. Thanks for sharing your trip. Cheers 👍🇨🇦

[@djn1k]

wow wow and wow again. what an epic adventure ! would love to have that sort of countryside here in England....

[@cannakitten7229]

Don’t think i’d ever leave that beach by the waterfall. So gorgeous!

[@Eric-rr3zd]

I just got a kayak to do long kayak camping trips, your videos are a huge help in getting ideas and pointing out certain things I would never have thought of and otherwise would have learned the hard way.

[@TechnicallyRugged]

What incredible scenery. Living in Minnesota I have seen only a little of the North Shore, but based on your video and videos of others, I know that I have to do a canoe trip up there. I love all of the rock and dramatic cliffs and ultra clear water. The ocean-like behavior frightens me as a hardly intermediate canoeist, I must admit, but I want to practice and get more experience if it allows me to see the types of landscapes you encounter along your journey. Both of you are entertaining and informative and I really enjoyed the balance of vlogging and scenery, and your music choices were fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure of yours and I can’t wait to watch the others. Thank you so much for sharing. -JD

[@tombeckett4340]

We did the Pukaskwa River before it became a Park 40 years ago and padded west to Rossport. Wow what a trip lots of wild life and amazing specks fishing in the river. Couldn’t get on the Lake a few days because of high winds. We did it in 14 days it was amazing. It brings back memories. Thanks. Oh to be young again . Still love the old canoe. The White River was really the wildest one we ever did. The white water was no place for the novice . 6 footers were often on the river . What a rush but super fun. Thanks again. Cheers.👍🇨🇦

[@JN-cy9qt]

You guys rule! From the trip itself to the filming, commentary, soundtrack, gear advice, etc., this video inspired me just as much as any outdoor recreation movie by a major studio. Thanks for putting the time and effort into documenting this, I'm grateful you shared it with us.

[@robintheoutside]

We very much enjoyed this one, what a beautiful place. It's on our bucket list, but we need a few more kilometers of experience and a better canoe :)

[@marylousherman5471]

The drone shots were beautiful !😎

[@trekOCLVone]

Lake Superior is spectacular - It is a jewel ! Nice Drone work also !

[@dwrivers47]

I’m lacking big water canoe skills, so really enjoyed this trip along the Lake Superior coast, my face is sore from smiling. Don’t ever let Leah go, she’s a keeper for sure.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

You can get out on some day paddles if the weather is favourable. Well worth the perspective from the canoe/kayak! I don't think Leah's going anywhere anytime soon 😉

[@timyarrow8844]

Amazing paddle along an amazing coastline. I've wanted to do this paddle forever. I still do!

[@claudebelanger9134]

I used to live in Marathon, Ontario, barely 10 or 15 km from where you started out. You picked an area where the water can be quite deep (1000 feet in places). It's also some of the coldest water and your camping spots can cool down to a low of 5 degrees Celcius by morning. The greatest thing is you chose some of the best scenery to experience and even get to experience pictograms from centuries ago and not just at michipikoten high falls area. Everybody who is an outdoor enthusiast needs to experience this either by canoe or by hiking the trails

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

That and the west coast trail are on my list for sure, looks gorgeous

[@tombeckett4340]

We even found a old huge cook stove from Peterborough stove works on the River. It was amazing how far it was up from the lake. It must have been quite a job getting there. And the type of boots and leather gloves laying around the camp. That was back in the early 80s that was the Pukaskwa trip. Awesome huge specks as well. 🇨🇦👍

[@FullMoonHatch]

What a cool trip, thanks for sharing your journey!

[@nevv8581]

Great vid. Thank you for sharing, it looks absolutely beautiful.

[@kenkunz1428]

That was beautiful. I love the Great lakes.

[@tombeckett4340]

We did this after we paddled the Pukaskwa River over 35 years ago. That was before it became a national park. Only we paddled West all the way back into Rossport. I lost 30 lbs on that trip. We flew into Beaver lake the head waters out of White River. The fishing was great and the black fly’s were nasty. I remember blazing our own trails . 🥵 it was a trip to remember. And so was the White River. Another dandy and sometimes dangerous. That’s when I was a bit older than you are and in much better shape back then. Now I’m just an old fart with great memories. I have lots of slides and the wife and I check them out once and awhile. 🇨🇦👍

[@robertpapps5383]

Beautiful, thanks for sharing!

[@robertrockwell7581]

beautiful trip. great drone shots also.

[@happy_hartshornes]

Fantastic video. Loved every minute of it.

[@nancywarren608]

Wow, I'm from Michigan and never knew what beauty you Canadians had of such a wild and get beautiful lake. Thank you for the adventure. It's was amazing.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

I hear the Michigan shore of Superior is pretty amazing too! Would love to get down there for a paddle sometime 😀

[@if9365]

You didnt know what beauty we had over here? you havent heard??? lol oh boy oh boy...Gods country ;)..Michigan also has a nice side of Superior. Northwestern Ontario (my home) is Canada's best kept secret. It offers great surfing, fishing, hunting and just beautiful landscape. You get massive waterfalls, smaller inland lakes that offer every type of fish, miles of cliffs and shoreline. Lots of wildlife as well. Lets keep it a secret ;)

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

I F Canada’s best kept secret?! That’s the gulf islands in B.C. bud! Did not get me wrong Ontario’s got some great spots but nothing compares to the west coast

[@jaschroeder59]

Fantastic voyage! Thanks for giving us a glimpse. Absolutely awesome!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks for watching 😁 We had a blast out there!

[@retiredoutside]

I've watched a lot of videos about canoe trips in all sorts of places, but there's no question that this one is superior!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Haha! Good one Bill 😁 Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BruceADunning]

Great video. It brought back lots of memories of when I did the same trip solo back in 2003. Makes me want to do it again.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

We could probably paddle it year after year and never tire of the scenery!

[@00708046]

Beautiful scenery ! Great video !

[@saranaylor1819]

Great video …. brings back a lot of memories growing up on Lake Superior!

[@n-xplorer]

Thanks so much for taking us along with you!

[@FreakofNature1]

I love Lake Superior! What a marvel! Thanks for sharing guys!

[@kingstwestb]

Awesome job, loved the music, gear talk, food talk, star time-lapse, cut scenes, commentary - everything! Thanks for taking us along for the ride, what incredible water!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it! I never know how these will go over... this took a month+ of solid editing. Glad it worked out :) The footage doesn't do the lake justice though, such an incredible place.

[@jls99500]

I know... Very well done ! I'm impressed. And envious !

[@lisagauvin]

Ummm- I think Leah is now my spirit guide. I think a “canoeing with cocktails guide with Leah” is most definitely in order....

[@leahjennings8694]

Coming soon!

[@debpinter4341]

Awesome drone footage! Love the waterfalls and beautiful scenery. Thanks to you both for stunning video!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thank you Deb 😁 It's such a stunning region, the video doesn't do it justice!

[@chessbrainiac]

Awesome video, even more awesome scenery! What an experience! Really enjoyed watching this!

[@billlander3700]

U guys were really wonderful to watch. During this terrible virus mes yaw took my mind a thousand miles away to support my sanity. Thanks so much for the peaceful getaway.may our Lord bless you and keep u all safe.

[@nobodyhikes]

My recommendations came through big time. Amazing video. So many good shots in great locations. I have zero water skills and experience, so it's really cool to see this type of adventure. Thank you!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Hey thanks!! Glad you enjoyed it! It's never to late to pick up some paddling skills 😉

[@zachmacdonald2338]

@@ExploreTheBackcountry just found the channel 2 days ago and i love it!! If you two are interested in watching other couples youtube channels. I got reallly into "nahoa" they sail around the world!! And also from ontario here :)

[@IIVVBlues]

Over three decades ago I did part of the North Shore of Superior in a birch bark canoe. I love this part of Canada. I envy your youth and adventures. Thanks for posting this. It brought back a lot of memories.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks John! A birch bark canoe eh? Wow, that must have been quite the adventure! How did it handle Superior?

[@kevinfangomango]

Looking forward to it! 🙏🛶

[@jakobirust4440]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@artdiehm5903]

In the late nineties I and 5 others were flown in to Gibson Lk. Dropped off and had planned to canoe the Pukaskwa River to Lk Superior and catch a fishing trawler but with a dry Spring and low water conditions we were forced to turn around and paddle back up stream do a height of land portage to the White River an back to civilization! Always wondered what the Superior shoreline looked like, now thanks to you two I’m Happy!😁

[@danowil227]

Thanks for taking me along on your trip. I loved it. Also, nice selection of caps. Go Pack Go.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks for coming along, virtually😁 hah, gotta show some team pride with the hats!!

[@westenderSSM]

Great video! Thanks for sharing it. Cheers from the Sault!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks for watching! Lived in the Soo for a few years! Great place!

[@doncesar87]

Great video guys! Thanks for taking the effort to share your experience with so much dedication!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Glad you enjoyed it! Video can only do a place like this so much justice. It's definitely a must visit in-person sort of place. Cheers!

[@GrahamsAbroad]

Awesome! Always enjoy watching your videos!

[@davewillcock1973]

Great video. Definitely a trip added to my bucket list! Thanks.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

You won't be disappointed 😉

[@jimhanson7476]

Wow.... A true piece of heaven, the water........... You two got to enjoy a amazing adventure.. Thanks for letting us in also

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks for watching Jim! You could almost get vertigo paddling over the crystal clear water! Just amazing how iridescent and clear they were!

[@tombeckett4340]

Awesome trip you guys thanks so much. You have brought back some great memories.🇨🇦👍

[@andyb981]

Wow, what an ambitious, big-water trip. Fantastic video...thanks for taking us along!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

An awesome trip indeed! I've paddled a lot in the ocean as well, highly comparable conditions. Thanks for watching 😁

[@johanvandijkh5042]

Very nice story. You are lucky to do these things while you are young and have the time. That lake sure is big! Beautiful coastline. Thanks for sharing.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Hopefully I'll get to enjoy adventures for a long time coming, but even if I can't, the goal is to make the memories count and last while I can 😀 Thanks for watching.

[@maydanlex]

Thumbs way up. Thanks for taking the time to post!

[@FSU-xn8em]

Nipples.

[@joefuerst1179]

Great video! That beach at the Wheat Bin is fantastic and the great weather there made it all that much better! Want to get out to canoe camp so bad!

[@larryhale4027]

Leah's a Packers fan! Yeah! Great trip.

[@gramphil]

Great movie! I really enjoyed watching this, and it made me want to get a canoe, and go explore! I'd love to see more about your packing/equipment.

[@lou36heron87]

great scenery and adventure, thanks for sharing with us, nice to see this in this day and time

[@ashbeard9777]

What an amazing journey. I hope to make the trip someday in the footsteps of the great Bill Mason. Such beautiful waterfalls along this route.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

The waterfalls are amazing! There are a few more tucked away in back bays and up small rivers that we didn't venture to. Well worth the trip! Enjoy!!

[@RWSBrowning]

Been watching this great video staring Leah a few times now. Great scenery, awesome beaches but needed more fishing... what a trip!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Haha, yeah she certainly is the star. I do more fishing, but I often don't set up the shot, that or Leah is doing something else at the site and not around to grab the camera when I hook into something. Caught quite a few bookies in the Coldwater streams, and poke in the warmwater rivers

[@thomaschalupa1042]

Keep up the great work. Always look foreward to your vids. This one is probably my favourite

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks man! More on the way... Slowly 😁

[@dropusanote704able]

Excellent way to capture such a beautiful rugged part of Ontario. 👏

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

One of our favs to paddle through!

[@JoeOsChannel]

Fisherman's cove....great memories. I was once windbound there for 5 days. Met some really cool backpackers going through and ended up nearly getting married... Hahaha. That was way back in 2004 on my solo 6000 km canoe trip. What a great 6 months that was.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Hey! That's not a bad spot to get stuck at for 5 days, especially when you're out for 6months! Almost married eh? Haha, now that sounds like a story! We never met any backpackers.

[@bdh3949]

Love the lady in charge of the drinks, she knows what she is doing. Beautiful trip!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Oh Leah does 😉 very welcome after a long day of paddling!

[@chiefenumclaw7960]

Well done team! Thank you for helping me add this adventure to my bucket list. Go Pack Go!

[@danielszynkaruk3079]

Sweet Video Brad! Keep em coming!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks man! Hope all is well!

[@gunnelgrabber]

Super video! Well done.

[@markeast1574]

Absolutely beautiful coastline

[@gschwendinger]

Fantastic. Thanks for sharing and for all the effort you put into this video. Amazing.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks for watching 😁 glad you enjoyed it!

[@carolguezen5829]

Lake Superior is stunning...but dors demand a lot of respect...would be happy just be on one of its beaches for a week!

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

GREAT VIDEO... 100% worth the time to watch... Keep them Coming Brad

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks Dennis! I'll have to check out your fish recipe too!

[@steveqhanson6835]

fantastic trip guys. Well done!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks Steve!

[@jeffkatzer]

Great trip, thanks for taking me along.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks for watching Jeff!

[@wendyoutdoors2230]

Thanks Kyle, great hike. Loved the marmot

[@augustusabelarde2137]

perfect!!!

[@jimburg621]

That canoe skirt look awesome, paddle pockets and all.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

We love it! Had it on all season last year. Big whitewater and big lakes!

[@jimscaffido6531]

Great video, great hat leah!

[@lubaschmidt4570]

Congrats on a great video!! Such beautiful scenery- yeah Canada!!!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Wooo! Thanks Luba! Glad you and Fritz enjoyed it!

[@JMaxwell1000]

Incredibly beautiful!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Mesmerizing!

[@2manysigns]

Very enjoyable film . Great job ! Safe and happy travels of course .

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks for watching! And of course!

[@paddlepartners9744]

The Lake Superior coast line is gorgeous. Great video. Thanks for sharing it with us. Take care and safe travels. Paul and Kerry.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks a lot for watching! Glad you enjoyed it! We'll deffiently be returning to paddle more of the coast in the future. We have our eyes set on the stretch from Thunder Bay to Marathon.

[@CampervanCulture.com-Official]

Absolutely amazing.. Thank you so much for making this. You just got yourself a new subscriber from London England.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Hey thanks for watching and thanks for the sub from across the pond 😀

[@brianwofford3831]

Awesome video, thanks for all the great scenery. I really identify with your travels. I am an old school canoeist and love the BWCAW that is why I like your video so much.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Hey thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed! Have not yet been to the BWCA, It's on the list though!

[@paulparnell3839]

What beautiful memories you guys are making loved the video

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Hey thanks! That's one of the reasons I make these videos, to look back fondly on later. Keeps the trip alive! Thanks for stopping by!

[@philgrizzlyadams]

Spectacular. Just bloody great!!..:-)

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks 😁

[@CanoeingTheEdgeOfTheWorld]

Probably the best canoe wilderness tripping video on KZbin. The drone footage really adds to the quality. Keep making these and we'll keep watching!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Awesome thanks so much! We're back from another awesome season of paddling and will have more content soon 🤙

[@JohnGeary]

Great stuff - love it!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks John!!

[@TheHappyCamper]

I loved this one. Good job guys.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks Kevin!! Happy paddling!

[@markscheerer1282]

Great Job Brad and Leah. Hats off to a Great Video. Loved the picture quality and Awesome shots of the coastal terrain

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks! I don't think the video can even come close to capturing the true beauty of the area!

[@martins.7175]

Great adventures, just started kayaking this winter and Can’t wait to experience more. Thanks for all the info and tips. New subscriber, keep the vids coming.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Awesome!! A great sport to get into!! Time on the water is time well spent. Thanks for watching. More on the way.

[@johnnybx3254]

Awesome trip 👍👏🚣‍♂️

[@WaterTrails]

Well done! this place is on my bucket list now.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

The entire Northern Coast is amazing! I can't comment on the Southern US side, but I'm sure it's gorgeous as well!

[@rorydobson8724]

Fantastic - thanks for sharing!

[@cameronfrancey1718]

What a great adventure. The food you guys cook up looked amazing. Made me hungry watching it. Thanks for posting the video for us all to share part of the adventure with you. Glad you had a great and safe time. I'm sure the memories will last for a while.

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

The best motivation for a hard day's paddle is a good meal in the evening 😁 Thanks for watching, you've got that right, lots of great memories from this trip!

[@jeffcameron3180]

Great video! I didn't want it to end.

[@OutDoorZombie]

Wow - absolutely amazing video/trip! Very impressed with your camera and editing skills! Very well done!

[@ExploreTheBackcountry]

Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed it. Editing up the trip memories are half the fun!