Thanks for correcting me on the correct name of the Town. My deepest apologies to all Durhamians .
I not only like to get away from it all (remember I live in Toronto ) I simply love to drive. It’s therapeutic.
James Bay was a fantastic trip. You are looking at roughly 1300KM to Radisson from Montreal. That’s only one way too. Pack warm clothes if you leaving in a few weeks and carry extra provisions with you (just in case). Bring your I-pod or lots of CD’s or sing a lot because there are no radio station services. I would strongly advise you complete the entire 617KM from Matagami to Radisson during the day. Since I was pressed for time we had to drive it during the night but the road has many long sweeper turns, some with dips that can bottom out you car if you have a lot of gear
(and if you drive too fast), also because of the animals.
Again due to time commitments, I did not get a chance to visit Matagami. The 24hr Shell gas station is located on Boulevard Matagami just before you arrive at the check in station for the James Bay Highway. The Matagami Hotel www.hotelmatagami.com/eng/accueil.php is located next to the station if you want to spend the night there before you tackle the James Bay Highway.
Once on the James Bay Highway, stop at the first large steel bridge you come too and turn right to enjoy the mini waterfall from the terrace. Good spot to have a snack too. Portable washrooms are there too.
At mile marker 381KM the cafeteria is good, but it is expensive. You must refuel here if you’re driving a gas vehicle. From here you have just under, 300km of driving to go. Yahoooo! Watch you speed as you approach Radisson. The Police officer stationed there (sorry I forgot his name) is from Granby!!! I’ll post his picture on my photosite so you can track him down it won’t be too hard.
Radisson is the largest non-native town up there. The town has all the amenities you need, including a grocery store, Esso gas station, hospital (just in case), restaurants, hotel, motel…etc.
If you plan on camping in Radisson, there are small campsites located just up the hill behind the information booth located immediately to your left as you enter the town. The campsite has electrical out lets and water to. A trailer house situated at the top of the hill next to the horseshoe pits have washrooms and shower facilities, laundry facility (75 cents per load) and full kitchen with dinning area. It’s very nice and clean. A small fee is required to camp. An alternate accommodation location is to stay at the Auberge du Radisson 3 star for approx $100 per night, but there kitchen is not open during the winter, so no room service. There is also a motel in town but I don’t recommend it. A good location and the best place to eat at is La Cantina restaurant. There are two other restaurants on “the strip” but they are more tavern like and too smoky for my liking, but then again, I’m a non-smoker. With respect to the night life scene, I was unable to stay awake for the happy hour. Let me know if you get a chance to party it up.
A must thing to do is to take a tour of the Hydro-Quebec Dam. Booking is required in advanced and make sure you are scheduled to tour Grande 1 located near Radisson first. It’s the largest underground power generating station and third most power full in mega-watt out-put in the world. It’s a four hour tour, it is free and you’ll have a dam good time Have them send you an information package.
Chisasibi is the Cree Native reserve with a population of 4000 people located approximately 100Km outside of Radisson. Approximately 30 KM before the town you must stop at the check in point, give you name and state your purpose for visiting the reserve. Our purpose was to visit James Bay and travel to the end of the road, literally. It’s beautiful and very peaceful out there. We did not visit the town.
Here are a few website to look over that can provide you with further information. I’m sure you all ready have them, but……
http://www.municipalite.baie-james.q..._accueil00.htm
http://www.hydroquebec.com/visit/vir...sit/index.html
http://www.municipalite.baie-james.q...ad_auberge.htm
http://wmuma.com/travel/eor2000/index.html
http://www.matagami.com/index2.html
The Trans taiga highway and the Trans Lab Highway are on my list of “life’s must drives”. There’s something funny about saying you have been to Happy Valley Goose Bay. Another “must drive” is to Sept-Iles, Quebec all the way to the end of route 138, complete round the Gaspe “horn” taking Route 132.
Thank you for you list of suggestions on North Hately, Magog and especially a dinning location on where to stop and enjoy a taste of port wine. I’m of Portuguese background (first generation Canadian) and enjoy nothing better than Port wine.
I hope this information is of some help.
Jason (Sportscar Driver)
