North_Bay_Conservation_Authority

The North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority is involved with a couple of outdoor events this weekend in the area.

First, there’s a guided hike of the Eau Claire Gorge tomorrow morning (Friday).

Community Relations Coordinator Paula Loranger says there are buses leaving from the North Bay Chamber and the Mattawa Tourist Information Centre Friday morning at 8:30am.

The hike begins at 9:30.

She says the Metis Nation of Ontario is conducting the hike and they’re tying in the event with the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain coming through the area.

Meantime, Saturday morning is when the 39th annual Mattawa River Canoe Race leaves Trout Lake and traces the historic route of the voyageurs to the Mattawa Island Conservation Area.

Loranger says they expect 50-plus teams from all around the province to take part in the 64 kilometre race. She also says she was out paddling on Wednesday and the water is quite low this year, so she expects there to be a lot more portages.

There’s also a 13 km family/junior race that starts at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.