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The next morning came quickly, and we were back on the sleds for an early start to the day. The sun was starting to make its way over the top of the tree line as we made our way up the L159 trail to complete the top half of the Missinaibi Expedition Tour. The groomer had been out overnight so we were treated to first tracks and warmth of the sun as we carved our way through the snow-covered pine trees. It was no surprise that we came across plenty of hunting stands that were trailside along this route. Hearst is a popular hunting area for both moose and wolves, which is evident from the number of tracks that can be seen in the snow.
Hooking up with the L161, it was a quick 15km (9 mi.) before we hit trail L153. This is a beautiful section of trail that runs parallel to the Missinaibi River as you head south towards the main “A” trail. Even though this is only a 40km (25 mi.) stretch it was a terrific way to end the loop. The Missinaibi River is 755km (469 mi.) in length and is one of the longest free-flowing rivers in Ontario. This was the main route between Lake Superior and James Bay during the fur trading days in the previous century.
We cannot overstate the wonderful time we had while visiting the Northern Ontario town of Hearst! Of the town’s residents, 95% have a French speaking heritage and they are lively people! Snowmobilers are welcomed with the kind of genuine hospitality that you can expect in any small Canadian town. We are already looking forward to returning to Hearst and riding the Missinaibi Expedition Tour again.