Exploring the Forts: David Thompson Voyageur Trek

Trip Overview                          

Package Includes:

• Canoeing and safety equipment
• Nylon tents
• Waterproof packs for personal items & clothing
• Park entry & camping fees
• Nutritious meals prepared over an open fire
• Certified instructor/guide
• Historic & cultural interpretive activities at Batoche & South Branch House
• Return transportation by passenger van from Saskatoon.

Itinerary

This trip will explore the fur trade forts that David Thompson spent time at and paddle a section of the river that represents the most southerly extent of his early canoe travel in Saskatchewan.

Day 1 will involve driving to the launch point at Gabriel's Bridge on the South Saskatchewan River about an hours drive north of Saskatoon. From there we paddle downstream to the junction of the historic Carlton Trail at Batoche National Historic Site where the only civil conflict on Canadian soil took place in 1885. We will visit the Batoche site and take in the multimedia presentation on the 1885 Uprising.

On Day 2, we continue paddling downstream to reach the fur trade fort that David Thompson helped build. Our stop at South Branch House archaeological site will coincide with an Open House event for the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society's Field School along with participation by local communities. We will learn about discoveries turned up by archaeological excavations and hear about history associated with the fort.

Our evening camp will be a wilderness site on the riverbank in the Nesbit Forest, downstream of South Branch House. From our camp, we will hike to the Northwest Company fort, another archaeological site situated in the forest, to view remnants of the fort buildings still visible at the site.

Our final day will involve slightly less than 20 km (12 mi.) of paddling to reach the village of St. Louis where we will pull our canoes off the river in early afternoon. Our return drive to Saskatoon should get us back into the City about suppertime.

In terms of natural attractions along our route, the valley scenery is varied from low grassy terraces on the inside river bends to steeply wooded banks with deep coulees and natural springs flowing from the outside bends. The most likely encounters with wildlife will be with larger birds such as American Pelicans and Great Blue Herons. Also, there are Bald Eagles nesting in the vicinity of our campsite.

South Saskatchewan River near Batoche

Photos from the David Thompson Voyageur Trek August 2007

by Courtney Milne & Dominique Hurley

In August 2007, a rendezvous took place at an obscure but significant historical spot along the South Saskatchewan River about 100 km (60 mi.) north of Saskatoon. It involved paddlers, archaeologists, historians and local community folk meeting and learning more about an ancient Hudson's Bay Company fur trade post and it's tragic story. The paddlers, following in the historic wake of David Thompson, famous explorer and map maker, visited and camped near the fort site while en route on a river journey from Batoche to St. Louis. (All photos copyright 2007 Courtney Milne Productions)

(Mouse over the Notes link for information on each image)

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