Agawa Rock is one of the few pictograph sites in Ontario accessible by foot. It can be found in Lake Superior Provincial Park 9 km north of Agawa Bay Campground. A short (500m), rugged trail leads to the cliff edge and a viewing ledge.
The trail starts as a steep and rocky incline,
with views of rock chasms along the way
harbouring lodged boulders.
Finally, you descend to the water edge along sheer towering cliffs.
Eventually, the trail leads to a ledge by the edge of the water.
Once you are on the ledge you can view some of the pictographs.
The rope dangling over the side and into the water is there to assist you to get back on the rock in case you fall in. The chains are there to help you walk along the slippery ledge.
You can only access the ledge when the water is calm, and only a limited number of people can be on the ledge at the same time. It was a bit harder to maneuver on the rock during times of social distancing…
The majority of the paintings from the Agawa Rock site date to the 17th and 18th centuries, but some may be 400 years old.
There are 35 images and some of them are visible from the rock ledge.
The images, painted with a mixture of powdered hematite and animal fat represent events and legendary figures, spirits, and dreams.
Selwyn Dewdney, known as the father of rock art research in Canada, documented these pictographs. You can read more about rock art here.
There are also “plaqueglyphs” on the site. The word “WAS” is erased from the information plaque, and the word “HERE” is scratched in. The unfortunate reference to the Ojibwe People as if they no longer exist is highly offensive to many. They are very much still here!
The walk out was just as beautiful. You can take a different route
through stone stairs
and a magical mossy part of the forest.
you can almost hear the spirits whisper!
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Quite amazing!
It’s a special place!
The Agawa Rocks were easily one of the highlights from our trip to Lake Superior Provincial Park. The second time we visited, we came here first thing in the morning at around 8a.m to avoid the crowds. It can be a bit stressful with other people out on the ledge. That time we had the place all to ourselves and were able to take our time and try to find all the various pictographs.
Great advice! I also found it stressful to negotiate the ledge with other people around, while the ones that were waiting their turn watching my every move. That, while trying not to touch unsanitized surfaces, but at the same time not wishing to plunge in the cold water with my camera, was a bit stressful!
So beautiful and so interesting and so cool.
Haha, and I so thank you for reading 🙂
I love the ruggedness of your pictures of this area. The rock along the water, the mossy trail and the paintings all make it look like a great hike.
Thank you! It was a fantastic hike even though it was a very short one!
I’ve been there too, I think it’s a pity that the place isn’t better arranged. If the aim is to have fun scaring oneself, it can be done elsewhere.
I agree that accessibility, safety, and protection of the pictographs can be improved a lot! It’s a special place.
having to work a bit to get to the pictographs probably makes you appreciate them even more…
You are probably right!
Not sure I could cross the ledge!
I know. It’s a bit intimidating, especially when there are other people around. There are chains that you can hold onto, especially in the tricky part. The first time I was there I was by myself and Tony stayed with the dog in the car. I was afraid to proceed too far on the ledge because there was no one else around and I was concerned that I will fall into the water with no one to help me out…
Those chasms don’t look like a place for those who suffer from claustrophobia. It’s not often that you see a wall that is completely vertical.
That is probably why they were chosen as the canvas for the pictographs! The chasms weren’t too bad though!
Looks incredible! Great photos!
Thank you!
We were close, but never got there on our 2018 cross Canada drive. Thanks for taking us there. Allan
Hopefully you will get another chance. It’s an interesting place. You have Writing on Stones somewhat closer to you though which could be a good substitute 🙂