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June 18th, 2002 After the obligatory fussing, packing and poring over maps the hour of departure finally arrived. Glen and I were picked up at 8:00 AM, our gear loaded into the back of the truck, final rope checks were done, and off we went. We have found through experimentation that 2x4's lashed to the standard single boat rack on a half ton truck works well to accommodate two canoes. The road to Beauval was rather soft after a fairly heavy evening rain. Even with the less than desirable road conditions we were all in high spirits. The road conversation was non-stop to Patunak. We eventually arrived at our put-in on the beach just beyond the Northern Store.
Great blue herons and eagles quickly became our company as we made our way downstream to the first set of rapids. Signs of low water were everywhere with exposed rock at every turn. We met a skiff just before Drum Rapids and were directed to the portage by Delbert Wolverine from Patunak. Louis Netmaker was in the boat with him. They were transporting some furniture down the river to Delbert's cabin. As we watched them disappear over the ledge at Drum Rapids, we happily unloaded at a very clean, even portage. (River right about 300M above Drum Rapids and at the base of the first set of minor rapids.) We continued on until we arrived at Leaf rapids where be stopped to scout the first set. We were a little concerned about the low water level and the potential for finding ourselves in the middle of a rock garden. After a successful run down the first set of rapids, we decided to run the second set as well and avoid the long portage. With the lower water it was difficult to find the channel at the bottom. We should have continued to river right and instead found ourselves picking our way through a rock garden on the left. After spinning off a boulder and nearly swimming, we ended up at the bottom of the rapids. Delbert Wolverine was there at the bottom with Louis, fishing or perhaps they had stopped to see how we would make out with the rapids. Someone was looking after us, but I'm not quite sure whom. Chris and Bella easily maneuvered through the almost non-existent channels in their Western Canoeing clipper 17' Prospector as if they had done this a thousand times. The Prospector design is at home in moving water and big waves, and responds very well quick draws. Delbert wished us well and advised us to not get caught in the rapids. As we continued past the outflow of the Mudjatik River, I thought of the route to Cree Lake, and the route for travelers up into Cree Lake country. Apparently, Simpson considered this river at one point as a trading and access route to the Athabasca Basin, but after further investigation it was not a feasible route. (Sid Robinson's "Paddling the Churchill river") I thought of A. L. Karras ("North to Cree Lake") and the men who ventured up this river in the 30's during the depression. Someday I would like to follow that route to Cree Lake just because I know people used that river to travel. Fishing must be reasonably good just past the Mudjatik because we passed another skiff and two fishermen I assume were from Patunak.
We camped on a high rock outcrop above the base of the rapids where people had obviously camped for centuries. This is a natural place to stop and fish, cook, and sleep. The evening was sunny and warm. Supper was excellent with fresh pork chops, baked potatoes, corn, fresh bannock, and mint tea. Sunset: approximately 9:45 pm.
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At Deer Rapids we paddled easily down the first set of rapids and recognized
the area as a likely spot to camp.
After some brief reconnaissance Chris found an eagle feather, a good omen for
our trip.