Remote
Moosonee, Ontario at the southern tip of James Bay, is situated in the heart of a vast,
forested wetland in the region of the Hudson Bay Lowlands known as the Great Muskeg.
This vast swampy plain slopes gently
towards the west and south shores of James and Hudson Bay and occupies some 324,000 square
kilometers, forming one of the largest wetlands on Earth.
While human development has severely
impacted similar environs across Canada and the United States, its sheer size combined
with a decidedly unforgiving nature has kept Man’s impact on the Great Muskeg to a
bare minimum. Only the rugged Mushkegowuk Cree, or "People of the Muskeg" have
learned to prevail within the confines of this immense wetland bog and who, having secured
their foothold many centuries before the coming of the Europeans, still maintain a
vigilant presence here to this day.
Now,
the MUSKEG WALK offers summer visitors an opportunity to experience this
vast and forbidding environment first hand. Filling the better part of a Tuesday morning,
the WALK involves a hike out into the sprawling Muskeg along a several kilometer
trail cut in part by our provincial Ministry of Natural Resources.
While most of the hiking is easy, visitors
should be fit and ready for a challenge. Proper footwear, preferably hiking shoes or
boots, are recommended. Rain gear and insect repellent are also encouraged.
Note: Binoculars, protective insect nets,
area bird and wild-flower guide books as well as water proof boots are available for rent
or sale from Two Bay Tours.
Wild Game Dinner (Exclusive to Frontier
Package)
Offered on the Monday evening prior to the
Tuesday morning Muskeg Walk, the Wild Game Dinner is a specialty meal served at the rustic
Polar Bear Lodge here in Moosonee.
Main course may consist of a choice of
fish or Caribou Sakabaun with marinated Fiddleheads, Bannock bread, James Bay Pudding and
more! (Menu may vary depending on availability.)
(Gratuities and Alcoholic beverages
extra.)
Both the Muskeg Walk and Wild Game Dinner are offered
exclusively through the Ontario
Northland's Frontier Package. To make reservations for the Frontier Package, contact
Ontario Northland's Passenger Services Reservation Line at 1-800-268-9281.
For more information on either the
Frontier Package, the Polar
Bear Express or Ontario Northland in general please visit their home page
at www.polarbearexpress.ca.
