T. Knight, Parks parkscanada.gc.ca Palmer River Loop River Palmer Koroc River – Multi-Day HikingRoute Tornga t Moun ains Na tional Park

425000m.E. 64°15'0"W 30 64°10'0"W 35 64°5'0"W 40 64°0'0"W 45 63°55'0"W 50 63°50'0"W 55 63°45'0"W 60 63°40'0"W 65 63°35'0"W 70 63°30'0"W 475000m.E.

Ungava Nach Bay vak Koroc River–Palmer River Loop F 000m.N. m io 000m.N. r r 45 d 45 Sea A Start and Finish Route 65 k 65 a y Alternative Start Alternative Route iu m and/or Finish as r

T A National k Notable Campsite Park of Canada Boundary e

l l Parc national Torngat a Airstrip Mountains T Kuururjuaq Boundary Mountain Provincial Boundary 59°0'0"N National

Park of 59°0'0"N

40 N N U N A V I K Canada 0 2.5 5 10 km 40 (Q U E B E C)

Saglek Parc national 35 (airstrip & 35 Kuururjuaq radar site)

Base camp Torngat Mountains N U N A T S I A V U T (L A B R A D O R) National Park of Canada 1,568m 58°55'0"N

58°55'0"N Cirque Mountian 30 30 Mount Caubvick (D'lberville) 75m 1,652m (LABRADOR)

872m r ive 640m 25 r R 25 me Pal 1,128m

670m 58°50'0"N 58°50'0"N 20 20 15 15 274m NUNAVIK Parc national 58°45'0"N (QUÉBEC) 58°45'0"N Koroc River Kuururjuaq 000m.N. 000m.N. 10 10 65 65

425000m.E. 64°15'0"W 30 64°10'0"W 35 64°5'0"W 40 64°0'0"W 45 63°55'0"W 50 63°50'0"W 55 63°45'0"W 60 63°40'0"W 65 63°35'0"W 70 63°30'0"W 475000m.E. Route Summary

Koroc River-Palmer River Loop

Type of hike Strenuous multi-day hike

What do I need to know to hike Distance Approximately 90 kilometres / 56 miles

the Koroc-palmer river loop? Time required Allow 7 to 8 days T. Knight, Parks Canada Parks Knight, T. Elevation gain Approximately 1,050 metres / Hiking party travelling south in the Iberville valley 3,500 feet Visitor contact TORNGAT mountains Maximum elevation 1,128 metres / 3,700 feet Registration information base camp and Hiking parties who are interested Torngat Mountains research station Point of departure Gravel airstrip in the in tackling this hiking route will National Park of Canada This camp is situated in St. John’s Koroc River Valley, need to register (before their visit) Phone: 1-888-922-1290 Harbour in Saglek Bay. It presently (20V 466085 E 6514837 N) with Torngat Mountains National Email: [email protected] operates from mid-July until early Alternate point Tallek Arm, Park (Parks Canada) as well as Parc September. The base camp can of departure Nachvak Fjord, Labrador national Kuururjuaq (Nunavik Parks) Parc national Kuururjuaq provide support for visitor parties (20V 449265 E 6535450 N) since the route passes through both Phone: 1-819-337-5454 wanting to travel into Torngat Route access 1. By helicopter or Twin Otter parks. Visitors are also required to Email: [email protected] Mountains National Park. Bear from base camp (45 minutes) de-register after they have departed Guards, Guides, a helicopter, 2. By helicopter or Twin Otter from either of these parks to ensure speed boats and longliners (fishing from Kuujjuaq (QC) that staff know they have left the boats) are generally available for (approximately 1.5 hours) parks and have been accounted for. local charter. Arrangements can also be made for fixed wing access to the Saglek Airstrip (20V 519721 E 6482002 N) from Goose Bay, NL. Please contact the Nunatsiavut Group of Companies by phone (1-855-TORNGAT ext. 26) or email ([email protected]) for inquiries about base camp. M. Boulianne M. A. Boudreau, Parks Canada Parks Boudreau, A.

Twin Otter on the Koroc River valley airstrip Campsite overlooking Tallek Arm

This challenging trek is a loop that The Koroc River and Palmer River Upon landing at the airstrip in the Even if no wildlife is spotted in the ROUTE starts and ends at the gravel airstrip valleys are traditional travel routes Koroc River valley, the remoteness area, their presence is felt through in the Koroc River valley, which is for the Inuit of Nunavik (Northern and ruggedness of the land is evident. their tracks, which are found in the OVERVIEW located in the heart of the Torngat Quebec) and Nunatsiavut (Northern This wide valley stretches from east to sand along the riverbank. This region Mountains in the province of Quebec. Labrador). Inuit traditionally used west and is bound by smooth, rolling is home to an abundance of wolf, black Alternatively, you can start/finish this these routes while hunting and hills to the south and rugged sharp bear and caribou, as well as the odd hike from Tallek Arm (Nachvak Fjord) travelling between communities peaks to the north and particularly the peregrine falcon. and still complete it as a loop. This on the Labrador coast and to northeast, where the highest summits multi-day hiking route offers visitors communities on the coast of Ungava in the Torngat Mountains are found. All visitors are strongly encouraged the opportunity to follow several Bay and vice-versa. From the airstrip, the Koroc River is to consult the “General Hiking variations of the main suggested very wide and flows slowly to the west Information for Torngat Mountains route to either shorten or lengthen toward Ungava Bay. National Park” document (available their hike. There are also countless here) before planning a hike in the opportunities for side trips that can be Torngat Mountains. done as day trips along the way. T. Knight, Parks Canada Parks Knight, T. D. Whitaker, Parks Canada Parks Whitaker, D.

Route Description Section 1 Your time of arrival at the Koroc River Gazing down the Koroc valley is The further you move downstream corresponds to a suggested campsite Koroc River Valley valley airstrip will dictate the distance very deceiving. What appears to be the more difficult it will become with on the border between the provinces 20V 466085 E 6514837 N to your party will cover on the first day. a smooth green “carpet” is actually respect to stream crossings, as each of Quebec and Newfoundland and undulating terrain covered in willows additional tributary flowing into the Labrador. At this UTM point is 20V 435182 E 6513136 N Suitable campsites are found all along the river. As you start your hike and and shrubs – it proves to be very Koroc River increases its volume. the beginning of the Palmer River Approximately 32 kilometres head west, keep in mind that the north difficult and slow-going for hikers Be particularly wary about stream valley. The landscape of the Palmer side of the river is ultimately where (see picture above). Take advantage crossings during spring runoff and just is characterized by majestic peaks, you need to be hiking in order to of any areas where the firm riverbank after heavy rains. Streams often move headwalls, steep ravines, and access the Palmer River valley when may be used to increase your speed of much more quickly than they appear picturesque waterfalls. the time comes (30 km downstream). travel. It is often much easier to follow to due to the clarity of the water. Also the meandering river than to travel keep in mind that many of the streams Upon reaching your selected campsite in a straight line through more in this area are fed by snow year- at the head of the Palmer River, difficult terrain. round and are extremely cold! remember that you are in prime black bear country. Take all necessary After traveling approximately 30 precautions including cooking at least kilometres west (downstream) of the 50 metres away from your sleeping airstrip, you will want to move away area. Store all food away from your from the Koroc River (north) and sleeping area and be sure to bury all head over the height of land to the waste water well away from headwaters of the Palmer River. The your campsite. UTM point 20V 435182 E 6513136 N T. Knight, Parks Canada Parks Knight, T. A. Boudreau, Parks Canada Parks Boudreau, A.

Route Description Section 2 Although the first few kilometres (see picture above). It is suggested Beyond the lakes, the valley widens At the point corresponding to UTM Palmer River Valley of travel in the Palmer River valley that you stay on the east side of the and the terrain flattens considerably, coordinates 20V 449553 E 6526775 N Palmer River for this section of the giving hikers a chance to enjoy the you will find an excellent spot to 20V 435182 E 6513136 N to are relatively easy-going, the valley quickly narrows as you reach the hike. Make sure to take the time to views of the surrounding peaks and camp, with a striking view of 20V 449553 E 6526775 N first of several lakes that force you to carefully plan your route by studying golden glow of the land beneath Tallek Arm. Approximately 25 kilometres hike along sloped terrain as well as the terrain as it unfolds in front of their feet. through sections of thick vegetation you, as this could save you valuable time and possibly help you avoid an encounter with an unsuspecting bear! T. Knight, Parks Canada Parks Knight, T. T. Knight, Parks Canada Parks Knight, T.

Route Description Section 3 The next section of this challenging Once at the top of the pass, the route The longer and tougher option is to From this point on, the remainder The climb into the Iberville trek is the most difficult because crosses back into Quebec and the Parc head east at the point corresponding of the hike is pretty straightforward. Valley and return to airstrip of the altitude gain, the associated national Kuururjuaq. At this point, to UTM coordinates 20V 450443 E Follow the large Iberville valley in a you have several options to consider: 6520970 N. You will find a notable southeasterly direction as it leads you 20V 449553 E 6526775 N to change in temperature and your group’s vulnerability to weather. The 1) keep heading south towards the campsite next to a small lake nearby back to the Koroc River valley and the 20V 466085 E 6514837 N initial climb out of the Palmer River Koroc River valley or 2) head east to (20V 452733 E 6521348 N). From airstrip. Stay on the east side of the Approximately 33 kilometres valley is fairly steady and takes a few higher elevation to ultimately reach this suggested campsite, you will stream at all times. You will travel for hours to conquer. the Iberville valley, which will bring climb gradually for approximately approximately 12 km before reaching you down to the Koroc River valley. 3.5 kilometres before descending into the river, and an additional 3 km to the Iberville valley west of Mount reach the gravel airstrip. The shorter and easier option is Caubvick. All your hard work will to simply head south at this point be rewarded with some of the best to return to the Koroc River valley views of Mount Caubvick and the and return to the airstrip, with the glacier that bears its name. Another possibility of several side trips along excellent campsite can be found in the the way. Two options for returning valley below next to a small lake (20V to the Koroc River valley are shown 456603 E 6524731 N). on the map on page 2 as alternative routes. Important UTM Coordinates

Landing sites for Twin Otter in the area:

Koroc River Airstrip 20V 466085 E 6514837 N

Suggested campsites: The following are suggested campsites based on expected travel distances for each day, starting at the Koroc River airstrip. KM 15 – Along Koroc River 20V 451615 E 6512517 N

KM 32 – Height of land on NL/QC 20V 435182 E 6513136 N border KM 47 – Along Palmer River, near 20V 440426 E 6524749 N lakes KM 57 – Start of pass leading out of 20V 449553 E 6526775 N Palmer River valley KM 66 – Campsite next to small pond 20V 452733 E 6521348 N

KM 75 – Next to lake in Iberville valley, 20V 456603 E 6524731 N below Mount Caubvick

Points of interest:

KM 62 – Top of pass leading out of 20V 449916 E 6522080 N Palmer River valley KM 64 – Entrance to valley leading 20V 450443 E 6520970 N towards Iberville valley KM 73 – Summit overlooking 20V 454812 E 6525875 N Mount Caubvick and glacier, Iberville valley (short hike from suggested campsite)

A. Boudreau, Parks Canada Parks Boudreau, A. Links: Torngat Mountains National Park website: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/nl/torngats/index.aspx

Torngat Mountains Base Camp and Research Station: http://www.torngatbasecamp.com/home/