With the recent approval of the Aspen Brook gravel pit it has never been more important to bring more attention to this great river.  We have always insisted that the key to protecting the Exploits River from harmful and needless industrialization is to use it; the more people that experience the beauty, culture and excitement of this historic river the louder the voice will be to preserve the river for recreational use for generations to come.

With this in mind, we are launching the Exploits River Appreciation week which will be the first week of July.  We would like as many people as possible to come on out and experience what the Exploits River has to offer, and will be running a series of promotions to encourage people to do just that!

For those of you who enjoy paddling, here are a few suggestions on how you can do your part to Save the Exploits River, and have the time of your life while you do it:

Paddle the River From Red Indian Lake

The section of the Exploits River from below the dam at Red Indian Lake to Badger is considered one of the best stretches of river for recreational paddling in the world!  This portion of the river is extremely deep, fast and stretches through a wilderness full of large game and absent of human interference.  It is literally a paddler’s dream!  Quite suitable for canoes or kayaks, this trip is ideally taken over two leisurely days with ample opportunities to camp along the way (but can be run in a single day).  There are a few sections, most notably Red Indian Falls, that require an easy portage, and we would be happy to provide you with a map and detailed instructions on what to expect along the way.

Experience our Badger Run route on Canoe or Kayak

For those of you that have been on our exciting Badger Run rafting trip, you should consider trying your hand at white-water canoeing or kayaking, and running it with some friends!  This 15km stretch of untouched wilderness is punctuated by easy to navigate rapids, swifts, and spectacular beauty.  Most of the trip is suitable for all levels of experience, but inexperienced paddlers will want to avoid or portage some of the more intense features.  The Badger Chute should be portaged by all but the most experience paddlers.  Feel free to end your trip at our chalet property, or continue on as far as Rushy Pond. 

Flat-water Paddling – Great Family Adventure!

If you are looking for a more relaxing way to enjoy this incredible river, you should consider taking a canoe or kayak trip from our property at Aspen Brook down to Rushy Pond. This section of the Exploits is perfect for leisurely canoe trips as the river is fairly swift and does most of the work for you! The route will take you down the southern side of the river, far removed from the signs of city life, giving you the feeling of a true wilderness experience.  For an added treat, you should consider camping on one of the many ruggedly beautiful islands you will encounter on route; we can give you a few suggestions and help you plan the perfect family camping trip.  Along the 15km route, there are many great opportunities to bring the canoe to the shore and explore the hidden wonders of this great river.

Another great activity would be to take a hike through one of the many trails in Grand Falls-Windsor along the Exploits River.  Perhaps you could bring a picnic lunch with you, or spend some time cleaning up the litter that has been carelessly left behind.  There are also dozens of excellent geocaching opportunities along the Exploits (see map of caches); most of the caches have been placed in the areas with the best possible view, or areas of historical significance.  If you have never geocached before, it’s essentially a world wide treasure hunt and a GREAT activity for families!  We would be happy to help get you started!

To do our part to get people on the river we are going to offer some new programs, and deeply discount our river trips and watercraft rentals to ensure everyone has the chance to experience the Exploits.  As always, everyone is more than welcome to use our property and river access to begin or end your Exploits River adventure free of charge.  We also offer shuttle service, and can arrange pick-up/drop-offs at any point along the Exploits River at very reasonable fees.

Over the course of the day we will introduce our full program of discounts and special offers designed to get as many people as possible on the Exploits River.  Whether you use our equipment or your own, please try to take some time to really experience this treasure before industry and poor resource planning destroy it forever.  We need you to help us prove that this river is worth saving.  Join us for the Exploits River Appreciation week in whatever way works best for you, and send the government of this province a clear and unmistakable message:

WE WILL FIGHT FOR OUR RIVER!!

See you on the river!

Jason Nault
Office Manager