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A​bri-refuge d’urgence

Mountain safety and awareness

Have you booked a stay at the Uapishka Station? Congratulations! However, the splendour and immensity of the territory do require more thorough preparations to make the most of your stay and leave with a treasure trove of memories!

Our team and our facilities are ready to welcome you, and we think that this information will be useful to help you get good and ready.

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Photo: Emergency shelter

Characteristics of the Uapishka (Groulx) Mountain trails

Duration (one way)

Length (one way)

Altitude

Level of difficulty

Point of departure

Loop: 10.5 km

South trail: 3.5 km

North trail: 4.5 km

Road walk: 2.5 km

5 hrs (loop)

475 m

Intermediary

North access: Km 352 of Route 389

South access: Km 349 of Route 389

Mont Harfang (loop)

Magnificent view of the eastern part of the Manicouagan Crater Lake and René-Levasseur Island


It is possible to complete the loop or the return trip:

  • We recommend that you park at km 352 and walk along the road to begin your hike at km 349.

  • The South trail is shorter and steep.

  • The North trail is longer but less steep.

The trail does not provide access to the alpine plateaus of the main mountain range.

Duration (one way)

Length (one way)

Altitude

Level of difficulty

Point of departure

7 km

4 hrs

665 m

Advanced

Km 365 of Route 389

Mont Jauffret (linear)

The trail offers an immersion into the arctic-alpine tundra and taiga plateaus and a view of the former Gagnon mine.


Warning! Past the tree line, the trail is no longer marked. You must not venture further without orientation equipment.

Duration (one way)

Length (one way)

Altitude

Level of difficulty

Point of departure

9,7 km

6 hrs

655 m

Advanced

Km 365 of Route 389

Mont Provencher (linear)

Magnificent view of the eastern part of the Manicouagan Crater Lake and René-Levasseur Island: the perfect trail to cross the Uapishka (Groulx) Mountains.


Warning! Once at the peak, there are no more trails; you must not venture there without orientation equipment.


A one-day round trip along this trail is not recommended.

Duration (one way)

Length (one way)

Altitude

Level of difficulty

Point of departure

5 km

1 hr

N/A

Beginner

Km 336 of Route 389, departure from the Uapishka Station

Innu and scientific interpretive trail

To come in Summer 2023.

Duration (one way)

Length (one way)

Altitude

Level of difficulty

Point of departure

1,8 km

30 min

N/A

Beginner

Uapishka Station

Shoreline trail

Surrounded by a carpet of caribou moss, this trail is accessible to the entire family and is without any doubt the ideal pathway for a first hike.

Duration (one way)

Length (one way)

Altitude

Level of difficulty

Point of departure

44 km +/-

3 to 4 days

N/A

Expert

North access: Km 365 of Route 389

South access: Km 335 of Route 389

Uapishka (Groulx) Mountain crossing

  • Crossing the Uapishka (Groulx) Mountains is an adventure only for experienced hikers, who are left entirely to their own devices. It is far from an easy and leisurely hike and it’s not a hike to undertake for a first multi-day hiking experience. It may involve major risks for hikers who do not have the necessary skills to undertake it.

  • You must be familiar with navigation using maps, a compass and a GPS; there are no trails or markers to point the way.

  • It is IMPORTANT to travel in a group to better respond in case of accidents and to have the knowledge and skills to undertake such a trek.

  • You must expect to cross rivers and waterlogged peatlands.

  • Rugged terrain and unpredictable, changing weather make this territory a very hostile environment (ex.: On August 26, 2020, the temperature dropped to -8ºC on snowy plateaus)

  • Bring food for one to two extra days.

  • There are no mountain rescue services in the Uapishka (Groulx) Mountain Range nor is there any cellular network. You are completely on your own (orientation, first aid, etc.).

  • Please be careful! Many rescue operations are required each and every year.

  • An Emergency shelter is installed at Lac de la Plénitude.

Traversée des Monts Uapishka (Groulx)

**** EVE: SUPPRIMER CE BLOC SVP. ON ME DIT QUE J'EN AI PAS LA PERMISSION (SVP, ME LA DONNER).

  • La traversée des Monts Uapishka (Goulx) est une aventure en complète autonomie s’adressant exclusivement à des randonneurs aguerris. Elle n’EST PAS une randonnée facile, de plaisance, ni une aventure à entreprendre pour une première expérience de randonnée sur plusieurs jours. Elle peut comporter un risque important pour un randonneur qui n’a pas les compétences nécessaires pour l’entreprendre;

  • Vous devez bien connaître la navigation à l’aide de cartes, d’une boussole et d’un GPS; Il n’y a aucun sentier, aucun balisage;

  • Il est IMPORTANT de voyager en groupe pour mieux répondre aux accidents de même que d’avoir les connaissances et les compétences pour entreprendre la traversée;

  • Vous devez prévoir la traversée de rivières et des tourbières gorgées d’eau;

  • L’environnement hostile, la difficulté du terrain, la météo capricieuse et changeante font de ce territoire un endroit difficile;

  • Le 26 août 2020, le mercure affichait -8 sur les plateaux avec de la neige;

  • Apportez de la nourriture pour une à deux journées;

  • Le massif n’offre aucun service de secours en montagne et il n’y a aucun réseau cellulaire. Vous êtes donc en situation d’autonomie complète (orientation, premiers soins, etc.). Soyez prudent! De nombreuses opérations sauvetage ont lieu chaque année.

Emergency shelter

In addition to providing a heated space to stabilize an injured or a person in hypothermia, this dome is equipped with all the devices needed for a rescue operation (direct communication device with the Station's patrol teams, first aid kit, food, etc.).

The new infrastructure also allows the Station to meet several other peripheral needs, including monitoring for compliance with regulations within the protected area, the deployment of scientific research projects and the installation of environmental data collection tools, including a weather station.

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The emergency shelter is located in the area of the Plenitude Lake at coordinates: N 51°32'05.2" O 68°02'19.4".

Emergency plan and safety equipment rental

The Station strongly encourages all mountain trekkers, regardless of fitness or experience level, to stop by the facilities before setting out on their journey, in order to sign in and share their itineraries. The following safety equipment is available for rent, subject to availability:

  • VHF handheld radio with GPS tracking

  • Avalanche rescue beacon (ARB)

 

We also recommend bringing along these tracking and communication devices, if you have them or you can rent them prior to your arrival: 

  • Satellite phone

  • Garmin GPS

  • SPOT beacon

Route 389

It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Baie-Comeau to the Uapishka Station. Route 389 is beautiful but can sometimes feel long without any cellular signal. There is, however, a Wi-Fi network in certain places (see the list of service points). So it is a good idea to download a podcast or playlist in advance to enjoy during your adventure!

  • The road is partially paved; you can travel on it with any type of vehicle.

  • During winter, the road is maintained daily, except during the thaw period (April and May).

  • You can refuel your vehicle at some locations; however, gasoline is more expensive than in Baie-Comeau.

  • Since this is a winding road, some people may suffer from motion sickness symptoms.

  • It is important to monitor your position carefully using the kilometre posts. In case of an emergency, it will be easier to identify your position.

  • Stay focused and alert. Route 389 is frequently travelled by truckers and workers who are used to taking it. Caution and courtesy are a must!

List of service* points along Route 389

  • Km 94 — Relais Manic-Outarde (restaurant, Internet, accommodations)

  • Km 211 — Motel Énergie (fuel, restaurant, Internet, accommodations)

  • Km 316 — Relais Gabriel (fuel, Internet)

  • km 579 — Fermont (all the usual municipality services)

*Before you leave, please check the services offered and opening hours of the service points, as the list may vary.​

For information on road conditions: Québec 511

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To view the map of Route 389 and see the location of landmarks and service points along the route, click here. 

Interested in our work environment?

We continuously review potential candidates for various positions.

Avalanches

Winter mountain conditions sometimes involve avalanche hazards and the Uapishka Mountains are no exception. Avalanche accidents occur mainly when these three factors are combined:

  1. Avalanche terrain, mainly with a slope of 30 to 45 degrees (see maps);

  2. Hazardous avalanche conditions (e.g., unstable snow, more than 25 cm recent snowfall, wind, temperatures above 0 degrees Celsius, mixed precipitation);

  3. The triggering presence of mountain trekkers.

 

Good practices to adopt:

  1. Plan your outing according to the land features (see maps) and the latest weather conditions and for the next few days;

  2. Carry all the essential gear: Avalanche rescue beacon, shovel, probe, means of communication, first aid kit, warm clothing, snacks and an isothermal container (“Thermos”).

  3. Check if conditions on the ground differ from those forecasted. Adjust your plans if necessary!

  4. Adopt good travel practices: communications, going one at a time, gathering at safe locations, planning the descent route, planning escape paths and actively watching out for signs of instability;

  5. Assess the slopes on your ascent with the Avaluator tool or the Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain Field Book;

  6. At the end of each day, take some time to share with other group members the strong points and areas for improvement in decision-making for mountain safety;

  7. If needed, do not hesitate to hire a guide!

  8. If you have any questions about risks of an avalanche, the best practices to follow and specific training, visit the Avalanche Québec website.

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