Quick comment on JBR and TTR road trip completed in August 2016. Road conditions were good, JBR is paved but slow the first 200 km because with potholes. You need to check in at km 6 (wifi) and can get a sheet noting the worst. Good first night is the Matagami campground at km37, has showers. Only other campground with showers is at Radisson (wifi) at km 618. There are sufficient simple campgrounds along the way. Only fuel is at km 381. Radisson is like most northern company towns and has groceries, fuel and nice campground with showers and wash and dryer. At km 600 there is the turnoff Chisasibi 84 km and the route to get to the shore of James Bay, or since this trip is in Quebec, Baie James. Be sure to visit the new cultural center in Chisasibi, this is Cree territory. At the bay the wind was about 30 knots and temp at 52 F so did not camp there as planned. Did visit Eastmain, another Cree village on the way out, nice road but not set up for visitors.
At km 544 on the JBR is the turn off for the TTR, 666 km of gravel, all very good with rare washboard except the last 66 km to Caniapiscau has little surface gravel and lots of exposed boulders, could be more of a challenge if wet. Fuel is available at km 358, Mirage Outfitters (wifi). There are a few other outfitters that could have fuel but I did not check. Mid-August the price of diesel was $1.35/liter Canadian. The TTR is remote and quiet, passed 9 vehicles on the way in and 10 on the way out. Last simple campground is at km 203 but there are many places to pull off later.
The best guide is found at www.jamesbayroad.com but note the liquor check at Chisasibi is not longer there.
Matagami is the start of the JBR but Amos to the south is a larger town with more services.
I rate it below the Dempster for scenery and higher for remoteness. For overlanders in the middle and eastern US it is close by although the Trans-Labador would be my first choice.
Ron
Ford F 350 SD with custom aluminum flatbed and modified 1973 Alaskan Camper
At km 544 on the JBR is the turn off for the TTR, 666 km of gravel, all very good with rare washboard except the last 66 km to Caniapiscau has little surface gravel and lots of exposed boulders, could be more of a challenge if wet. Fuel is available at km 358, Mirage Outfitters (wifi). There are a few other outfitters that could have fuel but I did not check. Mid-August the price of diesel was $1.35/liter Canadian. The TTR is remote and quiet, passed 9 vehicles on the way in and 10 on the way out. Last simple campground is at km 203 but there are many places to pull off later.
The best guide is found at www.jamesbayroad.com but note the liquor check at Chisasibi is not longer there.
Matagami is the start of the JBR but Amos to the south is a larger town with more services.
I rate it below the Dempster for scenery and higher for remoteness. For overlanders in the middle and eastern US it is close by although the Trans-Labador would be my first choice.
Ron
Ford F 350 SD with custom aluminum flatbed and modified 1973 Alaskan Camper