Kegaska, the “End of the Road”

Kegaska :  End of the road 138 :  Nikon Z7II, 24-70mm f/2.8 at 64mm f/4.5, 1/2500 second, ISO 90.

While the pandemic caused the government authorities to prohibit travel, we stayed at home… but “home” is so much more than our personal residence, during the pandemic, our beautiful province has been the focus for our travels and photo adventures. Exploring « close to home » has become a wonderful consequence of the challenging times we live in.

For our second summer getaway, we headed to the North Coast and our destination was a beautiful little village on the edge of Route 138: Kégaska. This is where the longest highway in the province, Route 138, comes to an end – for us, it was a 13-hour drive and 1078 km.

Sept-îles, Marina : Nikon Z7II, 24-70mm f/2.8 at 27mm f/6.3, 1/640 sec. ISO 80,

Our first stop along the route was Sept-Iles, where we stayed the night. We found a very nice hotel located across from a very photogenic marina. The next morning, we followed the road to Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, where we stayed four days. Along the way, we stopped to photograph the impressive Manitou Falls, a scenic attraction nestled in a lush green setting. There are many opportunities to photograph the beautiful and different natural attractions in the area. From Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, a short sea excursion took us to Île aux Perroquets to photograph puffins and razorbills.

Manitou Falls : Nikon Z7II, 24-70mm f/2.8 at 25mm f/20, 1/4 second, ISO 64, Vanguard tripod, with ND filter.

Beach, Longue-Pointe-de Mingan : Nikon Z7II, 24-70mm f/2.8 at 24mm f/4, 1/80 second, ISO 400 with ND filter.

Beach, Longue-Pointe-de Mingan : Nikon Z7II, 24-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm f/10, 15 second., ISO 64 with ND filter.

Beach, Longue-Pointe-de Mingan : Nikon Z7II, 24-70mm f/2.8 at 33mm f/10, 4 second, ISO 64 with ND filter.

Puffin in flight, Ile aux perroquets, Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan : Nikon D6 300mm f/5.6, 1/2500 sec. ISO 125

Razorbills Ile aux perroquets, Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan : Nikon D6 500mm f/5.6, 1/2000 sec. ISO 400

We left Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, to head to our next destination: Kégaska, a small town with a population of just 138 inhabitants (according to the 2011 census). This beautiful town is located at the end of a 246 km road – the last 44 km of which is « paved » with dirt. This emblematic route of the North Coast is neither more nor less a cul-de-sac! At the foot of the popular signs that declare that this is, literally « the end of the road » there is a magnificent beach, and the water was a very inviting mild temperature. In this pandemic year, the North Shore, and the end of Route – 138 have become a popular destination.

Seaplane near Havre Saint-Pierre :  Nikon Z7II, 24-70mm f/2.8 at 24mm f/5.6, 1/640 second, ISO 100.

Little fisher shack, Natashquan.  Nikon Z7II 70-200mm f/2.8 at 72mm f/3,5,1/640 second. ISO 64.

Bay at Kegaska : Nikon Z7II 24-70mm f/2.8 at 24mm f/20, 1/250 second. ISO 125.

Épave, Kegaska, Nikon Z7II 24-70mm f/2.8 at 24mm f/11, 1/200 second. ISO 125.

However, what makes the North Coast a place of great beauty, besides meeting friendly and smiling people, is the seemingly endless array of beautiful landscapes and magnificent beaches.

At the end of the pandemic, we will reflect on the many adventures we have enjoyed – and the realization that our “home” is vast and filled with great discoveries and great encounters.

Beach at Kegaska : Nikon Z7II, 24-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm f/22, 1/320 second, ISO 280.

Beach at Kegaska : Nikon Z7II, 24-70mm f/2.8 at 35mm f/3.5, 1/2500 second, ISO 100.

NikonZ7II, 24-70mm f/2.8 at 25mm f/2.8. 1/1600 second.  ISO 64.

Pointe-aux-Anglais:  Nikon Z7II 24-70mm f/2.8 at 24mm f/8, 1/1600 second. ISO 250.

Rivière du Sault Plat : Nikon Z7II, 24-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm f/9, 1 second, ISO 64.

By Jacques Dumont