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Southern Waterways Canoe TripsShort River Trails of 1885: Petite Ville & BatocheTrip OverviewThis 1-day fully outfitted and professionally guided canoe trip will explore the sites and interpret the events of the 1885 North West Resistance connected to the South Saskatchewan River north of Saskatoon.
ItineraryThe full day trip will involve travelling to the canoe launch point at Petite Ville, a provincially recognized archaeological site, about a 45 minute drive north of Saskatoon. After getting acquainted with the history of the semi-nomadic Métis bison hunters who occupied this winter encampment during the early 1870's, we begin our river trip toward Batoche. After paddling downstream for several kilometres, we encounter Gabriel's Crossing where Gabriel Dumont, Louis Riel's military commander, operated a ferry during the late 1870's, now replaced by Gabriel's Bridge connecting the town of Rosthern with the Batoche region. Our river trip continues downstream to the site of the historic Batoche ferry crossing where the Northcote steamer, pressed into military service by General Middleton, was disabled by Métis fighters. Also at this river crossing the junction of the historic Carlton Trail connects Batoche with Fort Carlton on the North Saskatchewan River. We end the river trip here with a hike up the Carlton Trail to the National Historic Site where the Battle of Batoche took place. We will tour the site and take in the Parks Canada multimedia presentation on the 1885 Uprising. In addition to the many historical attractions, our canoeing route has lots of natural appeal. 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 involve larger birds such as American Pelicans and Great Blue Herons. Also, Bald Eagles are occasionally observed in the river valley. Paddling distance is 20 km (12 mi). Hiking distance is 2 km (1.2 mi). Our return drive to Saskatoon should get us back into the City about suppertime.
Archaeologist Butch Amundson relates the story of Petite Ville. Photo: Lynn Stewart
Package Includes: Personal Items List, Liability Waiver and detailed trip info - contact Cliff at 306-653-5693 or email Cliff@CanoeSki.com Long River Trails of 1885: Fish Creek & BatocheTrip OverviewThis 2-day fully outfitted and professionally guided canoe trip will explore the sites and interpret the events of the 1885 North West Resistance connected to the South Saskatchewan River north of Saskatoon.
Gabriel's Crossing and Bridge over the South Saskatchewan River. Photo: Cliff Speer ItineraryDay 1 will involve driving to the canoe launch point at the Hague Ferry about a half hour's drive north of Saskatoon. From there we paddle downstream till we encounter the National Historic Site where the Canadian militia first engaged the Métis forces at Tourond's Coulee/Fish Creek. There we hike the trail up to Middleton's Camp where the general retired his soldiers to await reinforcements after suffering an ambush in the creek coulee by a small contingent of Gabriel Dumont's fighters. Back on the river, we carry on paddling past the former village of Fish Creek with its ancient landmark church, deteriorating with disuse. The paddling day ends at our wilderness riverbank campsite at Petite Ville, the archaeological site of an 1870's-era Métis wintering village. Total paddling distance Day 1 - 21 km (12.5 mi). Hiking distance 1.5 km (1 mi). Day 2 will take us downstream past Gabriel's Crossing, site of a former river ferry and store operated in 1885 by famous Métis fighter Gabriel Dumont. In early afternoon, we reach the historic Batoche ferry crossing where the Northcote steamer, pressed into military service by General Middleton, was disabled by Métis fighters. Also at this river crossing the junction of the historic Carlton Trail connects Batoche with Fort Carlton on the North Saskatchewan River. We end the river trip with a hike up the trail to the National Historic Site where the Battle of Batoche took place. We will tour the site and take in the Parks Canada multimedia presentation on the 1885 Uprising. In addition to the many historical attractions, our canoeing route has lots of natural appeal. 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, Bald Eagles are occasionally observed in the river valley. Total paddling distance Day 2 is 20 km (12 mi). Hiking distance is 2 km (1.2 mi). Our return drive to Saskatoon should get us back into the City about suppertime.
Package Includes: Personal Items List, Liability Waiver and detailed trip info - contact Cliff at 306-653-5693 or email Cliff@CanoeSki.com
Canoeists hiking back to the junction of the Carlton Trail and the South Saskatchewan River after visiting Batoche National Historic Site. Photo: Cliff Speer |
