Launch : Turn west at the Lauder turn off (#345) on Highway #21 south of Hartney. Take the first road north after passing Lauder (#254). Landing : There are four bridges downstream so one can pick a destination according to the time available. Distances : Trip 1 : (Bridge 1 to 2) : 12 km Trip 2 : (Bridge 2 to 3) : 10 km Trip 3 : (Bridge 3 to 4) : 12 km Trip 4 : (Bridge 4 to 5) : 8 km Time : Trip 1 : (Bridge 1 to 2) : 1- 2 hrs Trip 2 : (Bridge 2 to 3) : 1- 2 hrs Trip 3 : (Bridge 3 to 4) : 1 - 2 hrs Trip 3 : (Bridge 4 to 5) : 1 - 2 hrs See Google Earth View

These are easy trips. The many bridges in the area allow you to plan according to the time you have available. Trip 1 : When the water is reasonably high you can make the first section (From #1 to #2) in less than 2 hours. It passes through a part of the Lauder Sandhills Wildlife Management Area. After about half and hour of paddling you come to a long steep sandy bank on the left, bordered by a page wire fence. This is the site of a former fur trade post and offers a trail through a part of the sandhills. Trip 3 : This stretch passes through farmland and another part of the Lauder Sandhills Wildlife Management Area. Near the end of the trip you come to a high steep sandy bank on the left, with a visible foot trail leading upwards. At the top is a trail through some interesting sand hills.

Historical Notes

The Lauder / Hartney area is home to a number of archeological sites established to investigate early aboriginal settlements. Some evidence also remains of the several trading posts operated in the area as well. These forts operated during the first half of the 1800's.

At the site of Fort Desjarlais, faint depression is the only readily visible indication of the former stockade wall.

Google Earth View

Trip 1

Trip 2

Trip 3

Trip 4