POLAR BEAR EXPRESS CULTURAL CANOE ADVENTURE
Visit Moosonee the authentic way: by canoe!

July 21-29, 2006 Skill: Beginner

Our Polar Bear Express 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, and an encounter with live Polar Bears at the Polar Bear Conservation and Education Habitat.
We begin our trip with a train ride aboard the "Little Bear", the local mixed freight/passenger train, northward across the boreal forest of the Hudson Bay Lowlands. We embark on the paddle portion of the trip at the Moose River Crossing, where we paddle, float and sail the 50 miles towards James Bay- the largest estuary in the world. While on the water we explore the geology and bird life of the James Bay Frontier, and camp each night beside this wonderful river. We arrive in the historic villages of Moosonee and Moose Factory; settled by the French and a center for the Hudson Bay Company, it is the oldest in settlement in Ontario. Our accommodation here is in the new Cree-operated Eco-lodge on Moose Factory Island. After exploring these native frontier villages, taking a boat ride to the saltwater sea, looking for Beluga Whales and Seals, we return to Cochrane aboard the famous "Polar Bear Express" train.

Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: COCHRANE
The adventure begins at the Westway Motor Hotel in Cochrane, where we meet for orientation and an informal social gathering (usually held at the Tim Horton's next door!). There is the opportunity to pack your gear in the waterproofed bags supplied by MHO, and go over any last minute details. After a last night of luxury, we gather in the morning to visit the Polar Bears at the Conservation Habitat, then to the ONR train station to board the famed Little Bear. We take the train to the Crossing of the Moose River, where we debark and carry our canoes down to the river.
DAY 2-4: MOOSE RIVER BY CANOE
Out next 3 days are spend paddling the 75 km of the Moose River. While on the water we explore the geology and bird life of the James Bay Frontier, the gypsum caves, eagle nests and watch for moose and caribou. There are no Polar Bears this far inland, and that makes our sleeps a little more restful, as each night we camp on the large sandbars which line this wonderful river. Chances are that we will be dazzled by an evening dance of the northern lights, appearing over the James Bay sub-tundra.

DAY 6-8: MOOSONEE/MOOSE FACTORY/JAMES BAY
We arrive in the historic villages of Moosonee and Moose Factory; settled first by the James bay Cree, then later by French Missionaries, English Fur Taders and the Hudson Bay Company, it is the oldest in settlement in Ontario. Our accommodation for two nights is at a Cree-operated Bed and Breakfast in Moosonee. After a delightful night (in the comfort of bed!) we begin our exploration of these historic communities, the Hudson Bay Post, church and graveyards, and participate in a traditional meal and sample local cuisine. We will take a motor canoe out to James Bay for a full day on the coastal tundra. The trip concludes with a train ride back to Cochrane.

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