Description
Of all the potential trips, this one shares the most in common with the James Bay Road trip. The goal is to take the North Road (Route du Nord) and the Trans-Taiga Road, both of which have a terminus with the James Bay Road.
The North Road is a 400km long gravel road, similar in terrain and remoteness to the southern portion of the James Bay Road. The North Road largely follows the Rupert River, crossing it once before joining the James Bay Road just north of the River. Nemaska/Nemiscau is the only settlement, located off a 10km spur. Flat tires are quite common, especially in summer. The road is plowed in winter. For more information on the North Road, visit jamesbayroad.com.
The route includes km 275 to km 544 of the James Bay Road, before reaching the start of the Trans-Taiga Road. From this junction, a side-trip is possible to Radisson and Chisasibi via the James Bay Road. The Trans-Taiga is 688km of remote, gravel road built to service the series of dams above LG-2 in Radisson. In comparison, James Bay Road is busy. Terrain is similar to the northern James Bay Road, but also rises out of the Hudson Bay Lowlands into the Canadian Shield. There are few services and all settlements, owned by Hyrdo-Quebec, are closed to the public. There are rooms available at km 286, 358 and 666, but the last is only open mid-June to mid-October. Thus, in summer Radisson or JBR km 381 could be used as a base camp for reaching lodging at km 666, outside of summer, more than one night will have to be spent on the road, using Trans-Taiga km 286 or 358 as a base camp to reach and return from the end of the road in a day. For more info, visit jamesbayroad.com
In short, this is a seriously remote road, even moreso than the JBR, and it requires extreme caution, particularly in winter. Driving north of Chibougamau should be done in daylight hours.
Getting There
The North Road starts near Chibougamau (pronounced Shi-boo-ga-moo), which can be reached a variety of ways. The most familiar is likely via Ottawa or Montreal and the Laurentian Route of the Trans-Canada. Just before reaching Val D'Or, a right turn is made towards Chibougamau. Alternative routes to Chibougamau go through the Lac-St.-Jean region and Trois-Rivieres or Laurentided Park and Quebec City.
Possible rendezvous locations include Ottawa (ON), Drummondville or Quebec City.
Alternatives / Spurs
The Trans-Taiga can be reached via the JBR and Matagami (same as Feb 2005 trip) rather than using the North Road.
Radisson and Chisasibi are on a 'spur' if we contine on JBR past the Trans-Taiga turn-off. This offers the same opportunities as last time, such as walking on frozen James Bay, buzzing caribou, and maybe touring the dam this time.
There is a 10km spur to Namiska/Namiscau, the only settlement on the North Road, at about km 300.
Sights Attractions
Stunted spruce, and more stunted spruce . Occasionally, burnt stunted spruce. Did I mention stunted spruce?
Some dams and rivers too. LG-2 dam in Radisson is arguably the largest manmade object. James Bay, part of the Arctic Ocean, is reachable via the spur to Chisasibi. Caribou can be buzzed via single-prop DeHavilland Otter at Radisson airport.
Claims to Fame
The Trans-Taiga is truly the most northerly continuous road in Eastern North America, ending just shy of the 55th parallel near the border with Labrador. It is also arguably the most remote route on the continent.
Estimates
This trip adds about 800km/500 miles beyond the JBR trip (one way), or an extra day (one-way). 33 hours driving one-way from NYC in winter. Likely overnight locations are Chibougamau/Radisson/km 666/Radisson/Chibougamau (in summer). In Winter, an extra day is required with a stay at km 286 or km 358. Chibougamau is 1300km/800miles from NYC, or about 14 hours of driving.