Has anyone done the Ashuapmushuan River, north of Lac St. Jean? I'm considering it for a trip with two or three friends, all in solo boats, this summer. Will there be competition for campsites? What is the character of the river?

I've got information on the way from SEPAQ, but I'd like first-hand reports if anyone can offer one.

Thanks!

Paul

Did it two summers ago with a group of friends totaling 11 people (including my rug rats) there are flat sections of maybe couple clicks but I still figure it would be fun in a solo. Character......it's not a pool and drop, rapids are more that 2 or 300 meters in length. there is one section that was a bit washed out when we did it but normally it would be 5 kms of class two's with small 200m sections of break between them. Self rescue would be a nice skill set, not that the rapids are killer hard, just you are looking at a boat potentially geting a couple clicks ahead of you in places if you lose it. there are 4 main rapids that can have a couple holes in the last 100 meters The river is different character at different levels too, nice thing about it is it's always runnable, so you don't have to worry about low watter levels. We had friends that ran it last year and ran every rapid except the manditory portage at 80-100 and found the river pretty straight forward...we did it at 600 and walked a few end sections of the main 4...not that what we walked wasn't runnable...just beyond our comfort zone on that day.... a couple munchy holes is not where you want to end up with two kids in a tripping boat. Another group we know ran at 450 and it was nice, I'd like to go back at this level , less is washed out but the bigger rapids have enought kick to get your adrenilin moving.

Campsites are spread out but most have a secondary less used site, there was only one other party on the river. With a smaller group I don't expect there to be a problem. If there is a spot where you knw there isn't another site for awhile I personally have never met river trippers that would be offended if you asked to set up with them......these sites are pretty big and will accomidate several tents. The park map ratings are failry accurate...the group campsite on Rapide des Ilses is really on the rocks...it will hold 5 or so tents.There are bugs so don't leave the head net home after mid July.
My only drawback was the logging road that parrelles the river for the first couple days. It is a main artery and there is a truck every half hour or so...this might have changed as logging moves (that and it's a 5-6 day trip, if I was to do it again I'd do another river with it)...... I didn't see any recent clearcuts from the river but you can tell it isn't virgin forrest. The falls are drive in so you might see folks out for a day picnic...there are non-bear proof park garbage cans here, something tipped them over when we were camping there so don't put anything stinky in them.... if it's hot out my advice is don't camp on the rocks at the falls....the heat trasfers at night up through the tent and is stiffling.
You won't get the isolated feeling on this river but it is a nice trip. If you are looking for an adrenilin type solo trip have a gander at the Haricana report from last year

Gail,

Thanks very much for your helpful report. It may be that I'll look for a longer trip, if it's really only 5 - 6 days' worth. In any case, I really appreciate your time and thoughts.

Best regards,

Paul

Hi Paul,
Didn't want to discourage you. I think with adding another river it would be a fantastic trip and you are in a great area to do that.
Ash is a 5 night trip from higyway 167 130 km at the bridge.....our spread was 1st Night just above km160, cabin below 140, rapid des Iles, Rapid L'Engoulevent 2nd group site, chutes Chaudiere and then out...we were in Tandems in pushy water so it would be faster than solos.

Have a look at the Quebec planning map.....fromSt Felicien you're 200ks from St Marguerite, 175 from the put in to Rivere aux Ecores (this looks like a two day river easy access, log road runs paralell) Rivere HaHa and a number of others, remember too that the first 50 k you have to drive anyway....there is a canoe club in that area, I'll see if I can find the link to their website.
along the 155 on the way back you have the Saint Maurice rivers (Matawin Rive aux Rats etc....for a detour you could if water levels coincide do the Batiscan (5days I belive) or if you wanted to drive down around the Saguenay there's the Rive Malbaie.
check out this link
http://www.myccr.com/SectionForums/view ... highlight=
It's directions to drive into more or less the put in for the Mistassibi Nord-Est, add this 5-6 day trip on and you'd have yourself a great trip....GeneU is the source for this.