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
• Historical & cultural interpretive activities at Petite Ville, Batoche & South Branch House
• Return transportation by passenger van from Saskatoon.

Itinerary

This trip will explore the 18th century fur trade forts that explorer and mapmaker 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 canoe launch point at Petite Ville, an 1870's Metis wintering village on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River about a half hour's 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 Hudson's Bay Co. fur trade post that David Thompson helped build. Our stop at South Branch House archaeological site will coincide with the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society's Open House event along with participation by local communities. We will learn about discoveries turned up by archaeological excavations and hear about the history of the fort.

Our evening camp will be a wilderness site on the riverbank in the Nisbet Forest, downstream of South Branch House. From our camp, we will hike to the North West Company's post, another archaeological site obscured in the forest, to explore intriguing remnants of the fort buildings.

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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