LOWER MISSINAIBI RIVER:
Journey to the Northern Sky

July 19-26, 2008
August 23-30, 2008
Skill: Beginner / Intermediate

Our Lower Missinaibi Expedition is the perfect package for those looking for a Northern Wilderness adventure, without the rigors of portaging. In fact, many days we rig a sail and enjoy the luxury of a summer tailwind as we sail towards James Bay- the largest estuary in the world! We begin our trip with a flight over Thunderhouse Falls, and land on the Missinaibi River, 40 miles north of the last road, and the last portage. From here it is a downstream paddle to the Cree settlement of Moose River Crossing. Here, we flag down the Little Bear train and take it the last 60 miles north to Moosonee and Moose Factory on the James Bay coast. After exploring these native frontier villages we return to Cochrane aboard the famous Little Bear train.
This adventure combines the unique natural history of the James Bay Lowlands with the colourful cultural and human history of the aboriginal and early European inhabitants.

Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: COCHRANE - MATTICE
The adventure begins in Cochrane, where you will arrive Friday evening. After meeting your guide and the other participants, you will spend the night at a motel (not included in package). Saturday morning you will be transported by van to Mattice, where you will board a float plane. The half hour flight carries you over Thunderhouse Falls, and drops you on the river on the Hudson Bay Lowlands. Here you will spend the first night on the river, sixty miles north of the last road.
DAY 2 -3: BULL MOOSE BAY
The river trip begins when the canoes leave the clay shore of our first night's camp, and feel the pull of the north-flowing current. The towering clay cliffs of the Lowlands speed by as the river moves you at 5 miles per hour. Lunch is served at the confluence of one of the many rivers, and after 4 hours of paddling, camp is set up on one of the islands in the river.
DAY 4 - 6: LOWER RIVER RUN
The high cliffs have given way to clay and limestone river banks as the Missinaibi speeds North. The banks are lined with aspen, elm and birch, while the many islands in the river host enormous white spruce, dating back hundreds of years. If a tail wind comes up, and it usually does, we tie the canoes together and sail down the widening river. After 5 days on the remote river, we come upon a railway bridge. Here, we flag down the train, load the canoes and ride North, saving the final fifty mile paddle.
DAY 7-8: MOOSONEE
The twin communities of Moosonee (on the mainland) and Moose Factory (on an island) are the home to the Moose Cree First Nation, and first European Settlement in Ontario. The history dates back long before to the Fur Trade, and you will learn of the traditions of these peoples as you visit their community. After a refreshing night in a Cree Bed and Breakfast, we return to Cochrane on the Saturday train.

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