Missainabi Question

Hello all,

Assuming proper water levels will do this in June. Question on permits. I am jumping on the train is Sudbury and paddling the entire thing. Looking at the Parks website it doesn't reference fees for canoeing the entire river. If I jump on by the railroad which permits do I get?

Thank you.

You need Back Country permits for the sections within the park boundary.

If you are getting off the train in Missanabie you don't reach the park boundary until you portage into Missinaibi Lake. The map shows a gap in the park for for about 60km upstream (south) of Mattice (a bit north as well). I was under the impression the boundary was expanded but perhaps not.


At the north end the park stops at Moose River Crossing, a common place for paddlers to catch the train south to Cochrane, If you continue to Moosonee it's all Crown Land

In theory as a non-resident you would need Crown Land Camping Permits for the nights you are not within the park.

Have you figured out how you are getting back to Sudbury?

recped said:

You need Back Country permits for the sections within the park boundary.

If you are getting off the train in Missanabie you don't reach the park boundary until you portage into Missinaibi Lake. The map shows a gap in the park for for about 60km upstream (south) of Mattice (a bit north as well). I was under the impression the boundary was expanded but perhaps not.

Missinaibi Provincial Park - Maps

Park Maps and links for maps at Missinaibi Provincial Park.

www.ontarioparks.ca

At the north end the park stops at Moose River Crossing, a common place for paddlers to catch the train south to Cochrane, If you continue to Moosonee it's all Crown Land

In theory as a non-resident you would need Crown Land Camping Permits for the nights you are not within the park.

Have you figured out how you are getting back to Sudbury?

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Thank you for the information recped. This one gets a bit easier. My in-laws live in northern Michigan, so I can get dropped off Sudbury. For the return I'll take the train south to Cochrane (I think) and Chick will make the drive to pick me up.

I have seen a couple of threads discussing trains heading back towards Sudbury but was never able to get a clear understanding on if this is truly viable. Are there options for this?

Thank you!!

Yeah from Moosonee (or Moose River Crossing) you get the train to Cochrane. Many many years ago there was passenger service south all the way to Toronto (via North Bay) but that was at least 30 years ago. There has been talk of reestablishing the service someday maybe.

The train leaves Moosonee at 5:00pm, Monday / Tuesday and Thursday / Friday. Wednesday there is just a freight train and nothing on Sat/Sun.

You can usually get access to the "baggage" box car to load your canoe around 3:00pm. Once you gear is in the box car it's relatively safe to go wandering in Moosonee.

I can give you the number of a good guy to move your stuff from the dock to the train station. Some people just portage (about 1km) but I always grab a "cab".

If you need it I can suggest a couple of "cheap" flee-bag motels in Cochrane. In Moosonee there is one new hotel but it's crazy expensive.


When approaching Moosonee on the Moose River the tidal effect reaches about 15km upstream from the town/takeout, it's worth carrying a tidal chart to avoid paddling that part during a rising tide.

If you need it I can suggest a couple of "cheap" flee-bag motels in Cochrane.

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I'll take those suggestions, driving a new truck from Hogtown back to G Town, leaving Friday, hoping to make Cochrane Friday night. My wife is coming too, so can't be too flea-baggy.

memaquay said:

I'll take those suggestions, driving a new truck from Hogtown back to G Town, leaving Friday, hoping to make Cochrane Friday night. My wife is coming too, so can't be too flea-baggy.

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I almost always stay at the Triftlodge (Now called the Travel Inn), mostly because it's perhaps the cheapest but it's also dog friendly and is one of the few remaining motels anywhere with a couple of smoking rooms.

I've also stayed at the Chimo Motel once, it's was acceptable.

There is actually a lot of choice in Cochrane relative to the size of the town.

recped said:

I almost always stay at the Triftlodge (Now called the Travel Inn), mostly because it's perhaps the cheapest but it's also dog friendly and is one of the few remaining motels anywhere with a couple of smoking rooms.

I've also stayed at the Chimo Motel once, it's was acceptable.

There is actually a lot of choice in Cochrane relative to the size of the town.

Click to expand...

Thank you recped!

I believe I heard there is cell service in Moosonee - correct possibly? Logistically this seems pretty straightforward. I take the train from Sudbury to the river. Paddle for a couple of weeks. Once in Moosonee I can camp and wait for the train to arrive to take me back? Any trouble getting tickets on that train if I wait to purchase when I arrive in town? I had purchased a used Mohawk with the intention of just giving it away at trips end. (You had looked as some pic's of it before I bought it.) Thing is I really like that canoe - Nova 17 - Royalex so heavy as hell -but it tracks well (no rocker) and is well thought out. I can put tons of gear in it so I might keep it.

Yes to cell phone service, you can probably connect about 10+km north of the town. You can camp at Tidewater which is an island directly across from the dock. It used to be a Provincial Park, got closed and then 4 or 5 years ago got taken over by Moose Cree (who have basically done nothing with it).

Usually no problem getting on the train without advance tickets, you do have to pay for the canoe in Moosonee, not available online in advance.

"Paddle for a couple of weeks"

It's 588km / 365 miles...........

Any feel for if the snowfall this past winter will be enough for successful trip in early June?

Hoping to make it this year.

Early June should be no problem at all (except for the horrendous bugs).

Overall the snowpack was a bit light this winter but there was quite a bit of new snow in the last 2 weeks. I don't think there will be any issues on the upper sections (south of Mattice), On my two trips it was mid-summer, the upper river was low but no real grinding or anything (that I recall from 35 years ago). Virtually all reports of low water issues are from the section AFTER Moose River Crossing which is why some people end their trip at the crossing, the "some people" tend to be those that are paddling in July/August (the lower river can be crowded with newbies at that time).

Fortunately there are several active gauges you can monitor

Mattice


Below Waboose River


Moose River below Moose River Crossing


As you can see the peak is generally in mid-May, starting to fall in early June and a low in July/August.

I suspect you are looking for a complete source to the sea trip. If you claim you did the "entire river" but end at Moosonee some smart aff might say "no you didn't"

If you have the time and want to go all the way to James Bay. I do not recommend paddling to the coast, getting there is quick and easy but coming back upstream can be BRUTAL (I've done it a couple of times) especially if your timing is off and you are going against both current and tides. My worst experience was 8 hours of non stop paddling (15km) with so many bugs that could not remove my headnet, not even stop to have a smoke. You can get a water taxi ride (I have contact info for a guy that does both water and land taxi service) down to Ship Sands Island at the mouth.


Tidal Charts

Moosonee

Ship Sands Island

A thousand thank you's again recped!!!

Getting there - does anyone know which marker the train needs to stop at to deposit me on the river? Heading out of Sudbury towards White River.

Thank you!

You wind your way through Dog Lake, over the height of land portage into Crooked Lake and then one more portage in Missinabie Lake.

Do you have the Hap Wilson guidebook? It's full of good info on the entire route even though it's now about 40 years old.

Be aware, there are two train stations in Sudbury, the one you want is in the "downtown" area, do not end up at the other Station out in the "burbs" unless you are going all the way to Vancouver!

Be sure to book in advance and confirm you are bringing a canoe. The train is small, only a couple of cars and when I've been on it (to access the Spanish River) there were quite a few people going into cottages and outfitters with a lot of cargo plus there could be some paddlers also trying to load canoes. It's been a while but at that time they had no boxcar, canoes just got stacked up on seats at the back of the train.

If you want to get in the mood there is a 3 hour POV video of the train ride

Man, what a great thread. I will likely never do this route, but what a treasure trove of information. You just can't get this from facetubegram.

Finally squared away. Heading out of Sudbury on 6/12 to get deposited on the side of the tracks on the Miss.

As has been mentioned the available spots for canoes are filling up quickly. They only allow a few hundred per year and July and August are pretty much filled up. She had a guy call last week that was a 2 canoe party and she was unable to transport 2 more canes on one train. Trip cancelled.

Everyone hates the bugs, but I will take the bugs in return for a lack of people pressure. As I have mentioned before, the Eureka No Bug Zone and CCS 10 x 14 tarp is my go to now. But really, I grew up in the Upper Peninsula and we had our fair share of bugs. Never needed a head net. I bought the Ultimate Bug Shirt but have never put it on. A couple of head nets and spray work just fine.

Thank you AGAIN to recped, a veritable font of information on all things canoeing. You have had your informative hand in every trip I've taken. Greatly appreciated!!

I have been wanting to do the Missinaibi for quite some time, but something I just cannot find anywhere (and I find it rather aggrivating) is a consice description as to how to organize a trip from the Missinaibi Lake to Moosenee. Have you found an outfitter(s) that will work with you to park somewhere that allows you to use the railroad connection (which I totally want to do) that will also shuttle your canoe/gear to Missinaibi Provincial Park? Either way, would love to hear how you planned / organized your movements to begin and end the trip!