The top 6 reasons to book a trip with Grand Rapids Wilderness Adventures and explore the mighty Athabasca River!
Guest Blog by Darcy and Shirley Zelman, owners of Grand Rapid Wilderness Adventures
1. Sit back and experience a truly remarkable wilderness paradise.
The 200 +/- km journey down this mighty river to reach our backcountry cabins winds through miles upon miles of pristine Boreal forest on one of North America’s largest undammed waterways.
This magnificent river valley is home to a wide variety of large mammals including, moose, deer, elk, and apex predators such as black bears, timber wolves and occasionally cougars. There are also many species of migratory waterfowl and many bald eagles, hawks, songbirds and occasionally golden eagles.
What you will not see are any bridges, fences, roads, powerlines, railway tracks or any trace of any industry or human habitation that has happened in the past 100 years, (with the exception of a few scattered ‘ ‘trappers cabins” and 1 lonely pipeline that is now barely visible)
Approx.130 km below Poachers Landing (our launch site) lies the Pelican Rapids. Downstream of these relatively small but exciting set of rapids the scenery completely changes as the river gets faster and narrower, boasting large cliffs, sluffs, outcroppings, and rugged landscapes. This last 1.5 hrs of the trip before reaching the lodge takes us through some of the most scenic wilderness in the area and is also where we can see the greatest abundance of wildlife in its natural environment. It’s seldom that we see any other people below the Pelican Rapids as we are now over 150 km downstream from the closest launch. It’s a truly remarkable slice of pristine, untouched wilderness where few people tread.
2. Re-live prolific history.
For almost 30 years (1876 to 1914), during the height of the fur trade era, the Hudson’s Bay Company and others utilized this stretch of the Athabasca River to ship goods North, and to move an unimaginable amount of highly sought-after resources (namely furs) back South for distribution to Europe.
A journey down this historical river will also take you along the path of famous explorers such as David Thompson (1799) and other historic notable figures such as Metis boatsman Louison Fosseneuve (AKA Capitan Shott) in 1867. It was also the path of over 600 gold miners trying to make their way to the Klondike in 1897. Around the same period, some of the earliest gas wells ever drilled in Alberta were located at the Pelican Portage site, and many pieces of the equipment that were used to drill these historic wells are still there to be discovered.
Around 1902 is when the famous poet Robert Service travelled down the Athabasca en route to the Yukon and the big white water of the Grand and Cascade Rapids inspired the poem “Athabaska Dick”. In 1918 Joseph Burr Tyrrell (now famous for a Museum named after him) surveyed this stretch of the Athabasca River while working for the Geological Survey Department of Canada.
With the completion of the railway to Fort McMurray In the 1920’s this magnificent river that was instrumental in the development of our great nation, was no longer a major trade route to the North and for the last 100-plus years has returned to its original state, as it was, thousands of years ago when our First Nations peoples began to travel its shores.
3. Visit world-class natural wonders.
Just a few kilometres downstream from our lodge are the remote and awe-inspiring class VI Grand Rapids. These impassable rapids that very few people witness drop more than 60 feet in just over a kilometre. They were created by massive spheroid boulders called “concretions” that formed within a sandstone matrix millions of years ago, and through the simple act of erosion got washed out and deposited in the river’s channels and created a natural dam. These natural wonders are mind-boggling and are some of the largest found anywhere on the planet and have come to the surface here numbering in the thousands.
Also of significant historical importance is the Grand Island that separates the river into two distinct channels, (West and East). This island was once the home of the most prolific push-cart railway systems ever built. It was constructed by the HBC in 1889 to move freight around these forbidding rapids. At the peak of the fur trade, this tiny railway that cost less than $5000.00 to construct (and was less than 1 mile in length) grossed the HBC over half a million dollars annually.
4. Hook up on some great fishing!
The Athabasca River and the tributaries that flow into it, have long been known to hold record size Walleye, large Pike and many other lesser-known species. Stops at many of these tributaries on the way down such as the LaBiche, Calling, and Pelican Rivers as well Duncan Creek, Parallel Creek and other hidden spots, provide great angling opportunities and receive very little fishing pressure.
But by far the best fishing hole of this entire stretch of the Athabasca lies just 1 mile upstream from the lodge at the confluence of the House and Athabasca Rivers. This is the spot where many of our guests have experienced some of the best Walleye fishing in their lives; as well as landing large Northern Pike, Goldeye, Burbot, Rocky Mountain Whitefish and other native species. Due to very little pressure, anglers can enjoy good catch limits and great fish fries. You may fish for a few hours a couple of times throughout the day or spend the whole day fishing from shore at this prolific spot just minutes away from the lodge.
5. Spend time in a log cabin deep in the wilderness.
Situated in a small clearing along the river, inside the boundaries of the Grand Rapids Wildland Provincial Park, you will find one of Alberta’s most private and isolated backcountry lodges.
Our comfortable “hand-built” traditional log cabins are equipped with comfortable beds, wood stoves, propane cook stoves, basic cooking and eating utensils, a sitting/dining area and come with generator-supplied power. Out the front door is a covered deck for relaxing and socializing.
The site also has a central “rain room” where hot and cold rainwater showers are available, as well as a central kitchen and dining area where guests may enjoy freshly made, hearty home-cooked meals. Off the kitchen area, there is also another enclosed/screened-in deck overlooking the river.
The site also has a large central firepit for all guests to gather around and enjoy and yes, we also have WIFI available for staying in touch with loved ones back home if required.
The clearing where the cabins lay was once a place where oats were grown to provide feed for the horses that the men working for the Dominion Telegraph Company rode to patrol the line. (It started out from Athabasca landing in 1912 and reached Fort McMurray in 1915, a distance of 240 miles) It now offers an open grassy space to relax or take part in some of the fun traditional activities available at the lodge during your stay, such as hatchet throwing or shooting the bows. Other more modern outdoor activities are also available or guests may choose to bring their favorite along.
The site is surrounded by miles upon miles of untouched wilderness in every direction. Perfect for quiet nature walks, viewing the local wildlife, reconnecting with nature, and providing great hiking opportunities.
6. No crowds!
To provide a true wilderness experience for our guests, we only cater to small groups of adventure seekers on every trip. Except for our trips where one group of guests books the whole site for their crew (8 to 10+ people with exclusive use), each scheduled trip typically has no more than 6 to 8 guests staying at the lodge. You would also never be expected to share “your” cabin with anyone who is not in your group.
Catering to only small groups at a time allows us to provide you with a more personal experience, and the full attention of our staff. We create a relaxing atmosphere away from the crowds, which is almost impossible to get any more at most adventure tourism destinations. We deal in quality wilderness getaways, where safety, comfort, and hospitality are our top priorities!
“Embrace the Freedom that only a Wilderness River can give you! Grand Rapids Wilderness Adventures – Far from the ordinary…filled with the extraordinary…“
Visit their website: www.athabasca-river.com
Visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Athabasca.River
Check out parts 1 through 3 of a great video series produced by Michael Short of Let’s Go Outdoors showcasing Grand Rapids Wilderness Adventures
http://youtu.be/eSDvmqSC2go?list=PL7Bs59iSiMFdmylRZNATa1mF6T8rF8eSI
All photos are courtesy of Grand Rapids Wilderness Adventures
Post pictures of your Grand Rapids Wilderness adventure with the hashtags #VisitTheAthabascaRegion and #LiveLifeOutside.
