Coal Creek with Fred Neegan:
The Lost Lower Missinaibi River Spring Canoe Trip

Special Trip for 2005
May 14-21, 2005 Skill: Advanced

Across the Missinaibi from the Thunderhouse Falls portage, a side channel leaves the main river. This is Coal Creek, a part of the Missinaibi that only has water during Spring run-off, and is an all-but-forgotten by-pass of Thunderhouse Falls and Hell's Gate canyon. This was the high water route of the Cree and of the fur-brigades of the Hudson Bay Company, used in Spring to avoid the long portages at Long Rapids. It is also the traditional family hunting grounds of the Neegan Family. Fred Neegan (Missinaibi Headwater's most sought-after guide) has been traveling this area for the 70-some years of his young life, and this May will lead a very special trip through the rapids, canyons and falls of Coal Creek. Join Fred as he takes you back in history on a once in a lifetime journey down the Lower Missinaibi via Coal Creek.

Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: COCHRANE - MATTICE
The adventure begins in Cochrane, where you will arrive Saturday afternoon. After meeting your guide and the other participants, you will spend the night at a motel (not included in package). Sunday morning you will be transported by van to Mattice, where you will meet Fred Neegan, and complete the shuttle to the river. Our put-in is Fred's access point below Kettle Falls. That day we'll paddle to Fred's cabin, where we'll camp.
DAY 2 : THUNDERHOUSE FALLS
The rapids leading to Thunderhouse will be swollen with the high water of the run-off, and it will be an exciting ride through big C-II's to the calm water above the Thunderhouse take-out. We'll leave the canoes at the top of the trail, and make camp at the falls. To witness the power of the falls in Spring flood is a humbling and moving experience.
DAY 3 - 6: COAL CREEK
The fun begins as we leave the main river and paddle the narrow outflow of Coal Creek. Since this channel has the same drop as the main river, we will be descending some 300 vertical feet ( in 18 km ) as we drop off the Canadian shield. The portages, still maintained by Fred, will require some brushing along the way. Rapids will likely have sweepers, will definitely have cold water, and will certainly have their share of adventure. Waterfalls along this creek will need to be carried; some rapids lined.
DAY 7 - 8: LOWER RIVER TO MOOSE RIVER CROSSING
The final run of Coal Creek will speed us onto the Lowlands. With the current of the high water pushing us, we will easily cover 50 km's per day as we head North to the Bay. Our takeout will be Moose River Crossing, where we'll catch the train South on Saturday. If anyone wants to extend their trip to include a visit to Moosonee, they can arrange to do so, since your vehicle will be already waiting at the Cochrane Train Station.

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