Hudson Bay Mining Circuit

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.