Hudson Bay Mining Circuit
Shield country mining roads through pristine wilderness
The Hudson Bay Mining Circuit connects abandoned exploration sites and active claims across 280 kilometers of pristine Canadian Shield wilderness north of Thompson, Manitoba. Originally carved by International Nickel Company surveys in the 1950s, this route links ghost camps at Setting Lake, Wabowden, and the massive Sherritt-Gordon mine site through terrain that hasn’t changed since the last ice age. The track crosses dozens of unnamed lakes and rivers, passing through traditional Cree hunting grounds where you’ll find pictographs on granite outcrops and medicine wheels that predate European contact by centuries.
This is serious backcountry requiring experienced drivers and full expedition prep. Expect deep mud holes, unmarked creek crossings, and navigation challenges where GPS satellites struggle through dense canopy. Essential gear includes winch, recovery tracks, and satellite communication. Best attempted June through August when frost is out of the ground. No permits but notify RCMP in Thompson of your route. Fuel, water, and food for minimum five days — nearest services are in Thompson or Gillam. The reward is some of Canada’s most untouched wilderness and camping on granite shores that feel like the edge of the earth.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Extreme |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 280 mi / 450.6 km |
| Duration | 5-7 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1200 ft |
| Best season | June-August |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with winch |
| Nearest town | Thompson, Manitoba |
| Land manager | Manitoba Crown Land |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum rig I can realistically run this trail without getting stranded 200 miles from nowhere?
A modified 4WD with a winch is the hard floor — this isn't negotiable on a 280-mile circuit through Canadian Shield backcountry. Lift, skid plates, and a locker are strongly advisable. A stock SUV or light truck will get you into a situation you can't get yourself out of.
What's the trail like in late May — is it passable or still a mess from snowmelt?
Late May is typically too early — freeze-thaw cycles leave the dirt sections badly rutted and water crossings are running high and cold from snowmelt. June is the real start of the viable window, with July and August being the most reliable months for passable conditions.
Do I need any permits or permissions to run this circuit through Manitoba Crown Land?
No formal trail permit is required to travel Manitoba Crown Land, but check current fire bans and any active resource road closures with the Manitoba government before you go. Dispersed camping is permitted on Crown Land without a fee, though regulations on fire use and waste apply.
What's the hardest section of the circuit and what exactly makes it brutal?
The worst sections are the unmaintained mining exploration spurs cutting across exposed Shield rock and through low-lying muskeg — shelf rock with unpredictable drop-offs on one side and bog that can swallow a vehicle on the other. Water crossings with no bridges and soft, undercut banks are where rigs get stuck hardest. Plan your recovery before you need it.
There's zero cell service on this entire circuit — what's the realistic fuel and resupply situation?
Thompson is your last guaranteed fuel and resupply point before the circuit — there are no services on route for the full 280 miles. Carry enough fuel for at minimum 350 miles of actual driving given terrain-related fuel consumption, plus extra food and water for an unplanned extra day or two. A satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach is essential, not optional, out here.
Trail track
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