THE FERRY RIDE
For many snowmobilers, ferry rides are simply a means of transportation. For us, crossing from mainland Michigan to Drummond Island felt like a turning point. Behind us were familiar trails and well-traveled routes where help was never far away. Ahead lay the unknown and hundreds of miles of adventure. Standing alongside our machines as the ferry crossed the freezing water gave us a chance to slow down and appreciate the journey we had undertaken. For once, nobody was thinking about mileage or what lay ahead. We were simply enjoying the moment.
Drummond Island greeted us with excellent trails, outstanding scenery, and some of the best riding of the trip so far. We even joked that if the expedition ended there, we wouldn’ t be disappointed. Fortunately, we were just getting started.
EARNING OUR WAY INTO CANADA
Reaching the Canadian reporting station required navigating near-whiteout conditions in which blowing snow and flat light made the terrain difficult to read.
At the reporting station, we discovered we would be helping train a border agent on the process of handling three snowmobilers arriving from a remote location.
After clearing customs, we headed to Hilton Beach for food and a chance to warm up before the next leg. There, local riders heard about our plans and offered a better route along the St. Marys River. They even rode with us to show the way, saving us nearly an hour and helping us avoid a notoriously rough trail section.
DISCOVERING ONTARIO
The farther north we traveled through Ontario, the more we realized how deeply snowmobiling is woven into local life. In many communities, sleds are more than recreational machines; they’ re part of the culture, supported by an extensive trail network connecting small towns, lodges, and remote settlements across vast stretches of wilderness.
By the time we reached Aubrey’ s Outpost, we were thoroughly impressed by both the trails and the people who had helped us along the way. The next morning, however, brought a new concern: fuel.
North of Aubrey Falls, we faced our longest stretch between reliable fuel stops, more than 180 miles. One sled was averaging only 12 mpg, and calculations suggested we’ d be cutting it close even while carrying additional fuel.
For the first half of the ride, we watched the gauges, checked distances, and wondered whether we had been too optimistic. Then we reached the halfway point and discovered we had used far less fuel than expected. At last, we could relax and enjoy the ride.
22 DECEMBER 2026 | SNOWGOER. COM