There were also bear tracks, moose, and a multitude of smaller animal tracks to entice us. While wandering among the dunes, we also found some old, bleached caribou antlers being slowly uncovered by the blowing sand. The dawn of our last morning broke windy and clear. As we waited for our plane to arrive, we watched impossibly long lines of Canada geese in their stately V formations, heading south on their annual journey to warmer climes. It made us realize that even on this pleasant warm day there were signs of the coming end of this brief summer, and soon the icy grip of winter would once again descend on this remote land.
Water levels are just too unpredictable after that.
Fort McMurray is a long drive, about 450 miles from Calgary and 275 miles from Edmonton. It is a good idea to plan to stay in Fort McMurray overnight before you leave. La Loche is an even longer drive on worse roads. From Fort McMurray, the flight into the headwaters of the MacFarlane takes about one and half hours. From La Loche, the flight costs will be about the same.