Five hundred miles north of metropolitan New York lies a vast wilderness the size of Alaska. Beginning on Newfoundland's Labrador Plateau in eastern Quebec, the Magpie River flows untouched through hundreds of miles of lake dotted virgin forests of pine and multicolored moss, hurtling down steep granite gorges and off spectacular falls before emptying into the St. Lawrence River. The only access to this seldom seen corner of North American wilderness is by float plane. Using self-bailing paddleboats and custom made one-person inflatable kayaks, run countless Class 3 and 4 rapids, explore remote glacial-gouged lakes and gorges, watch for moose, bear and osprey, and bask in the canyon's extraordinary solitude. With it's stunning camps, warm 70-degree water and over 60 classic rapids the Magpie ranks as one of the greatest multi-day, wilderness river trips in the world.
Unfortunately the Magpie is threatened by a series of dams which would destroy some of the best whitewater on the river as well as some of the most spectacular falls and scenery. Construction of the first dam which would inundate the biggest rapid and spectacular upstream falls is slated to begin in the Fall of 2006.
"We know that Quebec has the Mona Lisa in its attic and just want to say that before you sell it at a yard sale for $15 dollars, take a look at the true value of the gift you have."
Robert Kennedy Jr. Senor attorney N.R.D.C., President Water Keeper Alliance Speaking at Montreal news conference after 2004 Magpie conservation trip.
Trip Details
Duration
8 Days/7 Nights
Location
Magpie River
Season
August - Mid September
Trip Type
Paddle & Oar
Nearest City
600 Miles East of Montreal
Physical Condition Required
Good
Destination(s)
Quebec, Canada
Rated Classes
IV
Guest Capacity
18
Minimum Age Limit
7
Distance Traveled
70 Miles in 7 Days
Inflatable Kayaks
Custom Made One-Person Thrill Seeker Kayaks
Additional Activities
Fishing, Swimming, Off-River Hiking/Exploring
Dining
All Meals Included
About Liquor
Beer and Wine Provided for Evening
Rates
$2,300.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
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Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Sept Isle/Magpie Lake This morning, meet in the small French-speaking town of Sept-Isle on the St. Lawrence River. A short drive brings you to a lake where the float plane takes you to the launching point on Magpie Lake. The 40-minute flight over the rugged glaciated terrain is spectacular: views of cliff-top lakes, thunderous waterfalls, deep gorges and dense forests unfold as far as the eye can see. After a series of banked turned around granite walls, land on Magpie Lake just above where the river spills into the first rapid.
Days 2-6: Magpie River For the next six days, explore a region which, aside from the occasional explorer, few people have ever seen. At night, the clear northern sky is filled with stars and the magical pulsing light of the aurora borealis. There are small islands and beaches covered with tracks of moose and bear. Pine trees laden with osprey nests and rocky shores lined with sun-bleached bone-colored driftwood abound. The relitively warm, 70-degree water make for great swimming at camp and the numerous smaller class 3 rapids in the milder middle section of the trip offer participants an incredible place to learn how to paddle an inflatable kayak. A highlight of the trip is Magpie Falls where the entire river hurtles 80 feet off the Laurentian plateau in a thunderous crescendo of sound and spray. The campsite directly across from the falls is one of the most spectacular found on any river. The Magpie's numerous rapids, remote falls, deep pools and pristine water make the week on the river unforgettable.
Day 7: Magpie River/Sept Isle Today, after lowering the boats around a stunning 25 foot falls, run the river's hardest rapid. The waterfall in the background makes this one of the most scenic rapids found anywhere. Although the rapid is extremely challenging and takes all the skills gained in the preceeding week, it is also fairly unexposed due to the small lake at the bottom. After lunch, on smooth rocks at the base of the rapid, paddle across a beautiful litte lake enclosed by smooth glaciated granite walls and take out just above the Magpie-St. Lawrence junction.
With the vast wilderness to the right and the open St. Lawrence to the left, make the drive back to Sept-Isle, passing through small Indian fishing villages and watching for moose and whales. After a farewell dinner, spend the night at a hotel.
NOTE: The first of a series of dams slated for the river will flood this final day, destroying a number of the trip's highlights.
Day 8: Sept Isle/Montreal After breakfast, begin the journey home.
Notes
10% of the profits from all Earth River Magpie trips will be donated to the Rivers Foundation of Quebec who are working closely with Earth River to save the river. For more information on the Rivers Foundation and the status of the river please contact the Earth River office.
NOTE: Earth River offers a number of other incredible adventures not listed on this site including; trekking through British Columbia’s Yosemite like Headwall Canyon, sea kayaking around the remote northern reaches of Fiji’s Vanua Balavu, rafting through the grand canyons, rapids and cultures of China’s Great Bend of the Yangtze and a multi-sport traverse of the Yukon’s stunning Primrose River/lake system. For more information on these trips as well as the ones listed on this site please contact Earth River.
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