Riviere Lepallier Exploratory Trip

The Lepallier River is a southern tributary of the famous Broadback River flowing between it and the Nottaway and entering about 10km above James Bay.  It begins just to the south of where the James Bay highway crosses the Broadback. (Roughly 50,50'50.9"N, 77,39"17"W)  at Lac Rodayer. 

Every year we explore a new canoe route (eg 2009 Quoich River).  This year we have chosen the Lepallier.  The river is a small intimate river and drops 820ft over 125km, and we'll paddle with a small intimate group, (2 or 3 clients, along with 2 or 3 guides).  Given the nature of its neighboring rivers, and our study of the terrain and the maps, we expect numerous rapids (particularly in the middle section of the trip) from class 2-4.  Because the route is not regularly traveled there are likely no established trails, but we can expect portaging (possibly rough ones) and no doubt lining as well.  Participants should be experienced wilderness river travelers and feel comfortable paddling a whitewater river where we do not know what is around the corner.  (Total distance is 113km+10km on Broadback + Bay paddle 24km)

Suggested Itinerary (This is a suggested itinerary only, trip conditions will ...

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Riviere Lepallier Exploratory Trip

The Lepallier River is a southern tributary of the famous Broadback River flowing between it and the Nottaway and entering about 10km above James Bay.  It begins just to the south of where the James Bay highway crosses the Broadback. (Roughly 50,50'50.9"N, 77,39"17"W)  at Lac Rodayer. 

Every year we explore a new canoe route (eg 2009 Quoich River).  This year we have chosen the Lepallier.  The river is a small intimate river and drops 820ft over 125km, and we'll paddle with a small intimate group, (2 or 3 clients, along with 2 or 3 guides).  Given the nature of its neighboring rivers, and our study of the terrain and the maps, we expect numerous rapids (particularly in the middle section of the trip) from class 2-4.  Because the route is not regularly traveled there are likely no established trails, but we can expect portaging (possibly rough ones) and no doubt lining as well.  Participants should be experienced wilderness river travelers and feel comfortable paddling a whitewater river where we do not know what is around the corner.  (Total distance is 113km+10km on Broadback + Bay paddle 24km)

Suggested Itinerary (This is a suggested itinerary only, trip conditions will vary)

• 1) Day 1, Participants drive & meet in Metagami. (June 1)
• 2) Day 2, Drop off & shuttle vehicle to Waskaganish), camp on Lac Rodayer somewhere (close to outlet if possible)(Lac Rodayer elevation 820ft, 7km on this lake)(camp 1 - shuttle (5-6hrs), + paddle 7km)
• 3) Day 3, Rodayer Ck, 6km to Lac Chaboullier, elevation drop 80ft, (one pond is 800m long) so about 16ft per km. Lac Chaboullie 7km. Camp on Lac Chaboullier near outlet, Down to Lac Lepallier (river). 8km drops 100ft. One marked set halfway where river drops 50ft in 1km hence remainder about 7ft per km. camp at Lac Lepallier. Camp 2 - 21km (perhaps camp on creek)
• 4) Day 4, Lac Lepallier 5km, enter Lepellier River (80km to mouth, drops 640ft to 40ft = 600ft. 7.5ft per km, fairly consistent drop. One 8km stretch in middle it increases to about 12.5ft per km. Paddle 12km on river (camp 3 17km)
• 5) Day 5, On Lepellier camp 4 - 15km
• 6) Day 6, On Lepellier camp 5 - 15km
• 7) Day 7, On Lepellier camp 6 - 15km
• 8) Day 8, Layover Day (camp 7 R&R at a nice falls)
• 9) Day 9, On Lepellier camp 8 15km
• 10) Day 10, On Lepellier to mouth 8km, plus 10 to James Bay camp 9 18km
• 11) Day 11, (extra safety day, maybe on river, on JB, maybe arrive early)
• 12) Day 12 24km to Waskaganish, +begin drive likely camp on James Bay Highway (eg back at Lac Rodayer, or farther, eg continue to Metagami).
• 13) Day 12, to Metagami & then home (June 13)

2010: June 1, drive/meet in Metagami, Trip June 2-12, Drive home June 13.