Fond Du Lac Expedition
2024 Dates | # of Days | Cost | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|
July 28th to Aug 8th | 12 | $5995 | Intermediate |
Get Signed Up For This Activity
July 28th to Aug 8th
Start Date
12
Duration (days)
$5995
Cost
Intermediate
Skill Level
Day 0 (Optional)
Travel to Missinipe Stay overnight in one of our awesome accommodations (price not included) and be ready to depart for Points North in our shuttle van first thing on day 1
Day 1 July 28th 2024
Travel to Points North, SK
Flights from Saskatoon to Points North or optional van shuttle from Missinipe
Pre trip meeting, gear check
Charter flight to Waterfound Bay on the Fond du Lac River
Set up camp, canoe skills review
Day 2 to Day 11 - Paddle the Fond du Lac River
The unspoiled clear waters of the Fond du Lac River flow over several waterfalls, through limestone gorges and over numerous rapids. There are many fun runnable rapids, and a few falls that you will have to portage. Each night, we will camp at a new site, surrounded by ruggedly beautiful scenery.
Day 12 - RETURN
Charter Flights from the Fond du Lac River to Stoney Rapids
Make your way back to Saskatoon on Rise Air Flight from Stoney Rapids (Own Expense)
Overnight in Saskatoon (own expense) or flights home
Itinerary
Guides - 5:1 ratio
Excellent meals from Day 1 Supper to Day 12 Breakfast
Snacks
17’ Prospector expedition canoes
Paddles, PFD, helmets (you may bring your own)
Throw lines and other safety accessories
‘Kitchen’ - tarp, fire box, cooking stoves, utensils, dishes, etc
First aid and repair kits, communications equipment (satellite phone)
Canoe rescue gear
Charter flight to the Fond du Lac River from Points North and return from the Fond Du Lac to Stoney Rapids Saskatchewan
Transportation of guides, group gear, canoe etc to and from trip
What Is Included
Saskatchewan taxes 5% GST & 6% PST
Personal clothing and gear - a recommended clothing & equipment list will be provided
Travel between your home and the trip rendezvous - Points North Saskatchewan
Accommodation in Missinipe SK before or after the trip
Any meals in Missinipe before or after the trip
Any additional expenses or costs incurred as a result of delays to the trip caused by factors beyond our control - i.e. wind, waves, unsafe paddling conditions, forest fire, pandemic, etc
Any costs associated with your emergency evacuation from the trip - please contact us at CRCO for more information
Gratuities - we recommend $20+ per day for a guide that went out of there way to make your experience extraordinary
What Is Not Included
Let the aroma of a fresh-brewed coffee draw you from your tent to a buffet of fresh fruit and granola while bacon and eggs sizzle on the grill!
Shore lunches include a great selection of bread, meat, cheese, bruschetta or hummus, fresh veggies and of course, good old peanut butter and jam.
After a great day of paddling, enjoy a nutritious, hearty meal with a tasty dessert while you sit around the fire to tell tales of your adventures.
Our focus is on fresh local produce where we can combined with freeze dried and dehydrated food. Our fresh meats are sourced and prepared locally and you will taste the flavors of the boreal in our locally sourced wild berries, teas and mushrooms.
What is the Food like?
The Fond du Lac River trip meets in the ‘community’ of Points North, Saskatchewan (YNL). There are daily flights from Saskatoon (YXE) to Points North via Rise Air. You should arrive in Points North on July 21rst on Rise Air flight 502. Your guides be in Points North when you arrive and load onto the float plane to Waterfound Bay.
How To Get To This Trip
The Fond du Lac River is one of Northeast Saskatchewan’s gems. For many it is a favourite Saskatchewan river. It’s a clear, wild river, rushing 270 km northwest from its headwaters on Wollaston Lake to Lake Athabasca. Large falls and rapids drop through gorges and over large granite boulders. And then other parts of the river flow through limestone canyons. It has incredible scenery with some very picturesque waterfalls. There are quite a few rapids that you can run, and several that you cannot. It is an excellent river for photography, from exciting whitewater shots of canoes crashing through large waves, to fantastic landscapes. This ‘Land of Little Sticks’ will always surprise you; around the next corner you may find a perfect crescent beach, or a wonderful camping spot on an open jack pine bench. Bald eagles, black bear, moose and possibly caribou can be seen. Eagles, osprey and loons fill the skies. The trip begins/ends with charter flights from Points North.
The Fond du Lac is a river that is unique in Saskatchewan in that it flows through an area of limestone gorges. This makes for well worn rapids of limestone ledges. It also make for beautiful camping places of open jack pine benches that could camp far more people than you want on your trip. The forest is predominantly open spruce or pine. The forest floor is covered with yellow and white lichen. Jack pine is found in the drier areas and birch in old burns. Lowland areas often have stunted black spruce or tamarack.
In general, the Fond du Lac’s flow peaks in late June or early July, so we do not have to worry about water levels. The Fond du Lac maintains its flow throughout the summer. The average difficulty of the rapids is grade II. The rapids are not overly long, but they are steep and larger volume can make swamping an issue. Hydraulics are also a factor as the river gains volume. There are at least 2 mandatory portages.
There are two main waterfalls on the portion of the river being paddled on this trip. Manitou Falls is the one most photos of the Fond du Lac show. It is a amazing waterfall that cut it’s way through a limestone gorge. It is said if you lay on the rock near the falls with your ear to the rock you can hear the spirits speak to you. Burr Falls is the other waterfall on this portion of the river. It is certainly worth the hike to see these falls.