Cancelled: Group Hike at Whiteshell River Trail in Whiteshell Provincial Park
August 27 2022
Unfortunately, due to trail conditions this hike has been cancelled.
The Whiteshell River Trail is well worth the 1.5-hour drive from Winnipeg.
It begins with a steep climb followed by an otherworldly trek through the remains of a forest fire, providing visitors with a tour of how forests regenerate. Fungi speckle the charred remains of trees and vibrant bushes, trees, and grasses once shaded by the tree canopy are sucking up sunshine.
There’s a brief wander along the (pre-Cambrian) rocky hills that are typical of the Whiteshell before the trail heads down into a lush forest along the Whiteshell River.
Rapids and churning white water are often seen here, depending on the time of the year. We can likely expect a high and fast-flowing river for our visit.
The environment shifts again as the trail climbs back up into a drier forest before it slips up and down more rocky hills. The terrain of the trail itself is mostly packed dirt with sections of granite and stone. It is moderately challenging.
At the far end of the loop the trail runs along the Whiteshell River.
For anyone wanting to extend their hike, the legendary Mantario trail begins at the same parking lot.
Our 11am bilingual event is being offered in partnership with Sports en français, an organization that contributes to the development of Manitoba’s Francophone community through sport and physical activity in French.
While French language skills are not required to participate, we welcome Francophones and Francophiles to join! For English speakers, it’s a great opportunity for you and your family to practice your French language skills.
How To Get There
Type in ‘Whiteshell River Trail’ into a GPS or smartphone.
Or follow these directions:
From Winnipeg, head east on the Trans Canada Highway to the junction of Provincial Trunk Hwy 44, then turn north on 44.
Continue until you reach the junction of 44 and Provincial Rd 312, turn east onto 312.
The trailhead will be on your left, to the north, just past the turn off for Caddy Lake’s Green Bay Resort.
Please note this is the same parking lot as the Mantario Trail.
Amenities
There are outhouses at the trailhead.
Nearby West Hawk Lake has restaurants, a gas station, coffee shops, and gift shops.
What to Bring on Your Hike/Activity
- A park pass is required for all vehicles entering provincial parks. An annual pass (which can be used in two vehicles) is $44.50. Daily permits are $9.50.
- Bring at least two bottles of water: you can leave one in your vehicle on a short hike; you’ll want both on a long hike.
- Snacks are a great way to keep your energy up along the trail. Many trails don’t have restaurants or stores nearby so you may also want to pack a picnic lunch.
- Hand sanitizer (Most trails have outhouses, not modern toilets.)
- Any medication you may need (like antihistamines, your asthma inhaler, or an EpiPen)
- A safety whistle, pocket flashlight, and a basic first-aid kit (not required, but a good idea any time you’re in the wilderness)
Outdoor Fun: What to Expect on Your Group Hike/Activity
Sometimes we just want to have some fun and enjoy a friendly chat with a stranger.
Our group hikes and activities are an easy way to get outside and explore Manitoba’s beautiful parks with other people.
CPAWS staff will share their love of nature on a relaxing hike along our favourite trails.
There won’t be any lectures along the way: when we stop for water and snack breaks we’ll keep the conversation casual and light.
If you’ve got questions we’ll do our best to answer them. However, we are not formally trained park interpreters. We encourage people seeking learning opportunities to check out our outdoor learning programming or try an interpretive event offered by Manitoba Parks.
How can we help?
If you have any questions or require any additional accommodations to participate, please email us at [email protected].
About CPAWS Manitoba:
CPAWS Manitoba has been instrumental in establishing 22 new parks and protected areas in our province. That’s an area larger than Lake Winnipeg at nearly 26,000 square kilometres. Our goal is to protect half of Manitoba’s lands and waters.
About the CPAWS Manitoba Nature Club
CPAWS Manitoba’s Nature Club is designed to help Manitobans get outside, make new friends and learn about the wonders of nature.
We’ve developed a wide range of programming and activities to help Manitobans of all ages and abilities enjoy the health and wellness benefits of nature.
Find out more at our website – www.cpawsmb.org – and be sure to subscribe to our events newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so you don’t miss out on upcoming events.
Safety Protocols
CPAWS Manitoba takes the safety of all program participants seriously.
All CPAWS Manitoba staff members have cleared a criminal record and vulnerable sector background check with the Winnipeg Police Department.
All CPAWS Manitoba staff members voluntarily disclose that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We adhere to all public health recommendations and guidelines.
CPAWS policy requires that at least one person leading programming that may involve children must be certified in first aid. This applies to staff or to volunteers.
This program is possible thanks to the generous support of The Winnipeg Foundation.