H-01 Hayes River to York Factory
Geographic Location:
- Northern Manitoba
Name of Trip:
- Hayes River to York Factory
Major Lakes/Rivers:
- Nelson R, Eschimamish R, Hayes R, Robinson L, Oxford L, Knee L, Swampy L, Joined by Fox River and Gods River.
Source of Information:
- Maps: Topographical maps and Berard Map.
- Book/Brochures: Water Resource Brand for water flow.
Duration of Trip:
- 18 days paddling minimum. Should add a few days for windy conditions.
Total Distance:
- 600 kilometres.
River Rating:
- Up to Class 5.
- White water experience is required of all paddlers.
Portages:
- 27 portages. Several are pullovers and several can be lined. Robinson Portage 1km.
- Fair to good portage trails around significant whitewater.
Start (Put In):
- Sea River Falls Ferry (on all weather road to Norway House).
- Can leave cars at Wabowden and take the Greyhound Bud back to Sea River Falls.
Finish (Take Out):
- York factory by Gillam Air to Gillam and then train from Gillam to wabowden.
Alternate Access:
- Norwar House – adds 40km.
Remoteness:
- The trip is remote and only paddlers with wilderness experience should attempt.
- There is a hospital and store at Oxford Lake and a lodge on Knee Lake.
Comments:
- The Hayes River can be a once in a lifetime canoe experience but it is a challenging trip. You are traveling a “highway” that provided a water route for mid-Canada Hayes explorers, fur traders and early settler. As you pass along this route, you cannot help but get involved with the history and the many artifacts along the way: Norway House, Hudson Bay Post, log-rock wing dams, Painted Stone Portage, Robinson Falls, wooden train lines, old grave sites, pictographs, Magnetic Island, Hudson Bay Post on Swampy Lake – somewhere!, goldmines, Brassey Hill, Hudson Bay lowlands and York Factory. Plan to spend a day at historic York Factory to soak up the history and take pictures.
