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Virtual Tour of the James Bay
Road
Page 6 of 12
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Km
237: Junction with Waskaganish Road.
Waskaganish
is a Cree village located 102 km to the west at the
mouth of the Rupert River. The road is unpaved and was
opened in August 2001.
Click here
for more info. |
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| Km 244:
Fishing site Km 247: Emergency telephone ("Randal")
Km 252:
Fishing site |
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Km
257: Rupert River campground, 1.2 km east of the
Road. Boat launching ramp, fishing picnic tables,
toilet, no shelters. This is a very basic campground,
little more than a parking lot. It's also a pull-out
place for canoes and kayaks who are heading downstream.
The rapids downstream are impossible to negotiate and
are deadly. Be aware of this if you put your boat in
here. At least 2 people have been killed
by these enormous rapids. They got "swallowed" by the
rapid, hence the name, Oatmeal Rapid. |
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Km 257:
RUPERT RIVER
DEFINITELY STOP
HERE AND TAKE A LOOK |
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THIS IS A MUST-SEE! Stop here to view this huge wild northern
river's spectacular rapids and falls (Kaumwakweuch Rapids; also
known as Oatmeal Rapids).
Toilets, picnic tables, shelters, scenic viewpoint.
The compound on the west side of the Road here is an
SEBJ camp, now re-opened (March 2005). Some lodging available ($110
per night), cafeteria, limited supply of gas for emergencies, garage
for do-it-yourself repairs with an air compressor.
The rapids/falls are known as Oatmeal Rapids, and as Kaumwakweuch
Rapids on the topo maps.
A hiking trail follows the north bank upstream to a viewpoint --
cross the Rupert River on the bridge and follow the trail upriver on
the north side. Part of the north shore was burned by a forest fire
in the summer of 2002, so the trail is closed past the first
viewpoint. But if you wish to walk further upriver at you own risk,
you will be rewarded by a couple more places to get close to the
Rupert River rapids and experience up close the full power and
majesty of this wild river. This is in fact the old
portage trail, probably in use for thousands of years by the Crees.
Part of the ancient trail is now buried under the road. Going
upstream, the trail leads to the beginning of the portage, it was
never "officially" closed. This is about 1200m. Downstream, the
trail leads to the end of the portage - very tricky going down
there.
The Rupert River is different upstream vs. downstream from the
bridge. The scenery and vegetation are very different. Upstream it
is sandy and rocky. Downstream it is mostly rocks and clay.
Sometimes in high water, the bridge is almost the limit for drinking
water from the Rupert. According to some, the Rupert River water is
pure and perfectly drinkable without any treatment. |
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This spectacular sight may be no more by 2007. For more info on the
threatened Rupert River visit the
Rupert River
website.
A few photos of this magnificent river are presented
here on this page. There are LOTS more photos, and movies, of this
river in the Rupert River
website. |
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The Rupert River bridge. |
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Another view of the
bridge. |
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The rapids |
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The picnic area overlooks
the spectacular rapids (seen here in the background). |
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A view from the bridge. |
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Another view from the
bridge. Hey ... if you don't stop and get out to look
and experience the Rupert River, at least slow down on
the bridge and have a look out the car window!! |
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Photo by "Peter (uptick)" |
Here's a couple of photos
of the Rupert River in the winter.
CLICK HERE
for more photos of the Rupert in winter. |
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Photo by "Peter (uptick)" |
The Rupert River bridge in
winter. CLICK HERE
for more photos of the Rupert in winter. |
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| For LOTS more photographs (and movies) of this
spectacular river and rapids, please go to the
Rupert River website. |
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