9:30 am: Started paddling 8:00 pm: Found campsite Today’s distance: 31.1 mi. Trip Total: 251.3 mi. GPS Readings (UTM) Lunch: 12V 453504 6537281 Camp: 12V 465123 6526727 |
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| We got a good start this morning and immediately started looking for a source of drinking water. I had never noticed the big differences in the amount of water required to cook the different dinners we had with us. With sources of drinking water not readily available, it became very apparent. We had hoped to find water at Carlson’s Landing, but there wasn’t any there. We did find a small stream that we were able to dip water to partially fill our containers. We stopped for lunch across the river. We started looking for a campsite as we neared the intersection with the Quatre Fourches (Catfish River). We were told there was a site near Rocky Point across the river from the intersection. In looking for the campsite, we missed the intersection and paddled north to a beautiful cabin site with Canadian-Shield-type rocks at the water’s edge. The grass was recently cut, there were about three buildings and three flags were flying (Canadian, Alberta and Mikasew Cree). No one was there at the time. Chris had found the QF about 1.5 km back. We did not feel comfortable camping at someone’s cabin without asking, so we decided to head back and find a campsite on the Fourches. The wind had increased from the South (we had to paddle into the wind) and we waited for a squall to pass. The combination of wind and paddling against a strong current made the paddle back to the QF and subsequently up the river difficult and tiring. Upon entering the Quatre Fourches, we started a 40-mile stretch of paddling against the current. We would not paddle with the current again until we left Ft. Chipewyan. About eight, Chris noticed a break in the woods that looked wider than a game trail. The path led to the winter road so we decided to camp there. All were tired. We unloaded the canoes and pulled them up on land. Animal tracks were present including bear. We set the food barrels near the path a short distance from the water, moved further up the path to cook and set up the tent on the winter road bed about a 100 yards up the path. After we got camp setup, Paul said he was very tired and not feeling well and he went to bed and did not eat dinner. Chris and I cooked dinner and cleaned up. We both felt this was a neat place. To us it exemplified what wilderness canoe camping is all about...making due with what is presented to you. It was different and not the usual camping we were accustomed to. |
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Journal Summary, July 8-13, July 14, July 15, July 16, July 17, July 18, July 19, July 20, July 21, July 22, July 23, July 24, July 25, July 26, July 27-28, July 29, July 30, July 31, August 1, August 2-3
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Exit Peace River Canoe Trip
Last updated: April 13, 2004