#3: [28-Jun-03]

#2: [05-May-02] (incomplete)

30-Jun-2003 -- Not realizing only 2 days before there were 2 others at this confluence we tackled it de novo. I will highlight some flora/fauna finds here also.

We obtained a topographical map from National Resource Canada’s website that indicated a rough road coming near to our Confluence in southeastern Quebec.

Not having a 4 wheel drive vehicle forced us to bring bikes to explore the area as it is quite hilly. After a night in Pembroke, we took our car in as far as we reasonably could and unloaded our bikes and began the ascent. The area is latticed with old and new logging and trapping roads. The road outlined on the topo exists in reasonable condition for a 4-wheel drive vehicle. At this time of year there seems to be hundreds of black and white butterflies aggregating together on the road. For what purpose is a mystery; as is the identity of some brightly colored mushrooms.

First, we tried a southern approach to the confluence (following a road not on the map) but we were forced back by thick brush and a lagoon. Interestingly enough, we found a very old trappers cabin nestled in the trees. The map’s road is the best route, however, and continues unbroken until within 2 kms. From here the road forks and is not mapped. There is the choice of a north route in or a west route but the north route appeared less densely vegetated. We began from a trapper’s sign approximately 1 km from the confluence. The walk from here was the easiest part of the day.

The confluence itself is on the south side of a small bushy hill, interrupted only by large moss covered boulders probably deposited here from melting glaciers during our last ice age.

If you take your bikes into this area count on 4 to 5 hours and about 1000m of climbing. It’s worth the roaring 45min ride down!