Matheson Island is among a string of islands south of the LaCloche mountain ridge. This island has a cove created by it and multiple surrounding islands with sufficient depth for Last Dance. The waters between Matheson and the mainland, about a mile away, are much too shallow and rock strewn for any travel except for the shallowest draft vessels. Even travel in the inflatable dinghy resulted in a number of rock strikes and groundings on a trip to the mainland.
A circuitous route through the bay, in search of water deep enough for the dinghy, brought the Last Dance crew to the hidden mouth of the LaCloche River. The river, many square miles of land in the area, and Matheson Island are all part of the LaCloche Provincial Park.
Travel by dinghy up the LaCloche River ended at the rapids. There is a bridge across the rapids which is the beginning of a trail leading to Lake LaCloche. The trail leads through natural forest, along the river and rapids, to the lake. This is a wilderness area, far from any population and rarely visited.
A small glimpse of Lake LaCloche and the white quartz LaCloche mountains. Not one other human was spotted on the hike, just flora and fauna and geological wonders. There are days of hiking opportunities in this park.
