Exploring Moose Factory

4-11 March 2020

Photos

   The Montreal Bicycle Club promotes Eco Tourism, finding new ways to enjoy tourism while minimizing the carbon footprint of the participants.  Often we do this by combining train travel with bicycle trips in the summer or cross country skiing in the winter.  This year I heard of an intriguing adventure tour organized by Frank Philpott called Ski With the Cree.  The region can only be reached by rail, has a long and interesting history, and very different touring conditions than we are accustomed to. Two of our members ( A.T. Lane & W.S. Weldon) decided to join in this adventure and test what it is like. The total group size was seven participants along with a film crew who joined us part time and our local Cree hosts.

4 March: Car Pool from Montreal to Cochrane Ontario

Frank Phillpot, A.T. Lane & W.C. Weldon set off from Saint Sauveur in the Laurentians

Two cars were used to transport the participants to Cochrane Ontario. One traveled north from Montreal through the Laurentians and Val-d'Or, the second left Montreal and went via Ottawa and North Bay.

The second group arrived in Cochrane in time to visit the Polar Bear Habitat located near the Station Inn.

Polar Bear Habitat in Cochrane Ontario

Meet-up dinner at the Station Inn

5 March: Polar Express train to Moosonee then over ice road to Moose Factory

   While waiting for the Polar Bear Express train to Moosonee we were met by the film crew  that would be documenting our ski trip.

Frank chatting with film crew as we await the train

Arrival of Polar Bear Express

Polar Bear Express is a mixed freight / passenger train

The film crew interviewed each of us on what we expected of the trip

The train ride up was an interesting mixture of passengers, local Cree people, Mennonite farmers who supply the community with fresh food and of course our accompanying film crew.

Scenery along the way primarily consists of forest, frozen rivers and snow.

Upon arrival in Moosonee, we were met by Ann who took us across the ice road over the river to Moose Factory.

  We stayed at a museum  within the Cree Cultural Interpretative Centre.  Taking a walk around town before dinner.

Hudson's Bay Company Staff House (built in 1825)

For dinner that evening our hosts prepared a wild goose feast for us to enjoy!

6 March: Cross Country Ski up river from Moose Factory to Cabin

That morning we packed our bags for Ski Doo transport to the camp 17 km upriver from Moose Factory.

Preparing our bags for the Ski Doo transport

Film Crew was ready to document the departure

Heading out from Moose Factory

View along the Moose River

W.S. Weldon enjoying the weather

Mike. our guide, pointing out the camp location, "just past that next point"

Almost at the camp, the last bit of path was in the woods.

Sleeping cabins.

Main Cabin

Melting snow for dish water

Sunset that evening

Dreaded late night trip outdoors

7 March: Ice Fishing / Cross Country Skiing at the Cabin

That morning the film crew documented our attempt at ice fishing.

Drilling the hole in the ice.  The ice thickness was about 4 feet, the bottom of the river only a few feet below that.

We tried blowing air into the hole to attract fish.

Returning home empty handed....no fish dinner that night!!!!

   That afternoon we skied over to a ceremonial  area nearby.

8 March: Cross Country Skiing at the Cabin

Setting out for the day

Warming up at a fire along the way

Posing by the French River

Skiing along the French River

Group shot at end of ski

Chaga mushroom found that day on birch tree

9 March: Return Ski to Moose Factory and the Hudson's Bay Staff House

Preparing for the return trip

The group tended to separate along the river

The view along the river

Looking for Moose Factory

Back at the Cultural Centre

In need of a shave

That evening we stayed at the Hudson's Bay Company Staff House

The ground floor is a museum

Photos posted in the walls. Did Elvis make a visit?

The 2nd floor has lodge rooms

Dinner that night at the Cultural Centre and exchange of gifts

10 March: Ski Doo trip Down River to James Bay and return train to Cochrane

Preparing to go downriver 20 km to James Bay

Viewing the Bay

Arrival at the Bay

Picture of the Bay

Back at the Factory

Interview with film crew upon leaving

On the train back to Cochrane

11 March: Return to Montreal and discussion of the trip

  That morning discussion started about what the eco tourist potential was for the Moose Factory region.  One of the big attractions of the region is that it is  primarily accessible by rail, the most energy efficient mode of public transport.  Unfortunately there is no passenger train service from southern Canada to Cochrane.  Hopefully the passenger train service may some day be restored such that it again connects to the main train lines.  If this was done the region would be far more attractive as an eco tourist destination.

   Another aspect of the region is that Moose Factory, located on an island across from the rail head town of Moosonee can only be reached by helicopter during the fall freeze up and spring breakup.  I suggest that to encourage the eco tourist aspect of the region a rail bridge and a small rail car be built to connect the two towns.

Train de Charlevoix Fixture Ride 23 July 2019

Cross country skiing conditions in this region can be difficult to predict.  No dedicated ski trails exist and the Ski Doo trails on the Moose river tend to be icy with hard packed snow. The weather can vary from very cold and windy to rain and fog conditions. Fat bikes are an interesting alternative to skiing that other people have tried in the region.

Perhaps the Montreal Bicycle Club should attempt some train / Fat Bike combination excursions?