Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/55101
NOR TH O F 5 3 ° 130 Wapusk National Park of Canada is an immense lowland area of 11,475 km² south and east of churchill. This impressive park represents the features of the hudson-James Lowlands natural region in canada's system of national parks. wapusk, the cree word for white bear, is home to one of the world's largest known polar bear maternity denning sites. as well as protecting vital habitat for polar bears, wapusk national Park provides critical habitat for hundreds of thousands of waterfowl and shorebirds that nest along the hudson bay coast in summer and gather to feed during spring and fall migrations. as wapusk national Park of canada is located in a remote region, access to the park is limited. visitors can enter the park through the services of tour operators. location: 45 km southeast of churchill, no road or trail access p: 204-675-8863 f: 204-675-2026 e: mannorth.nhs@pc.gc.ca w: www.parkscanada.gc.ca/wapusk York Factory National Historic Site of Canada features remains of the great hudson's bay company fur trade post, including a depot built in 1832, the oldest wooden structure still standing on permafrost. across Sloop Creek are the ruins of a stone gunpowder magazine and a cemetery with markers dating back to the 1700s. access is limited to charter planes or by canoe down the hayes river. weather conditions are unpredictable at York Factory nhs and can force a longer than anticipated stay. York Factory nhs is situated in polar bear country, and visitors should be aware of the possibilities of an encounter with a bear. camping is now allowed at York Factory nhs. visitors must contact the Parks canada office for accommodations and safety information. Guided interpretive tours are available in summer. Fee for guided tour. location: 250 km/155 mi southeast of churchill, 8 km/5 mi upstream on the hayes river p: 204-675-8863 f: 204-675-2026 e: mannorth.nhs@pc.gc.ca w: www.parkscanada.gc.ca/yorkfactory CLEARWATER LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK The water of Clearwater Lake is so clear the bottom is visible at 11 m/35 ft. it's a prime habitat for trophy-size lake trout, northern pike and whitefish. accessible by a self-guiding trail is a natural phenomenon called "the caves," huge slabs of rock broken off the dolomite cliffs. much of the park's 595 km²/230 mi² area is made up of coniferous forests yielding a rich variety of berries and wildflowers. The park offers fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, overnight lodging and camping. location: 18 km/11 mi north of The Pas at junction of hwy. 10 and 287 p: 204-945-6784 toll free: 1-800-214-6497 CRANBERRY PORTAGE AND CRANBERRY PORTAGE PARK The community is located on the historic portage between Lake Athapapuskow and First Cranberry Lake, which provided aboriginal people and fur traders access from the nelson river system to the saskatchewan river system. There is an abundance of rocky outcrops and scenic landscapes. The park offers camping, walking trails, beach, playground and fishing. water access to First cranberry Lake permits entry into Grass river Provincial Park. GRASS RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK This 2,250 km²/1,398 mi² wilderness of lakes and evergreen forest is home to woodland caribou, moose and a variety of waterfowl. The Grass River, travelled by explorer and trader samuel hearne more than 200 years ago, is ideal for canoeing and fishing. strings of islands dot the many lakes of the park and river system. Karst Spring gushes out of a sedimentary rock cliff of the manitoba Lowlands and flows into the Precambrian shields Grass river near iskwasum campground. interpretive signs are found along the trail. ideal for boating, canoeing and fishing. location: on hwy. 39 and hwy. 10 p: 204-945-6784 toll free: 1-800-214-6497 MYSTERY MOUNTAIN WINTER PARK Mystery Mountain Winter Park has 18 ski runs, a half-pipe, two poma lifts, a T-bar, one rope tow and terrain park. There is a fully serviced chalet, lounge, rental shop and a ski school. snow-making on 75 per cent of runs. snowboarders welcome. Tobogganing, snow tubing and over 25 km cross- country ski trails. open saturday, sunday, monday and holidays from mid-november to mid-april. admission charged. location: 22 km/14 mi north of Thompson p: 204-778-8624 e: info@mysterymountain.ca w: www.mysterymountain.ca Mystery Mountain Winter Park