The Desjarlais Trail of Manitoba, Canada

 In the summer of 1971, financed by a federal grant and under the guidance of Walter Hlady of the Archaeological Society of Manitoba, a lost historical trail was rediscovered and mapped. I and four other students spent the summer on this project. It meant over 5,500 miles of travel and countless hours researching original survey maps with field verification to accomplish this task.

The rediscovery of the trail was no small feat as it weaves through and around all the ancient obstacles of the time. Many of these obstacles have disappeared due to road and agricultural needs, so walking the fields was needed. The trail was known as the Desjarlais Trial, but it also went by the names; The Turkey Trail and The Glass Tail (because of all the broken European china and glass that can be found along its route). The trail’s direction was east to west and just south of Riding Mountain, from Lake Manitoba to the Rolling River Reserve south of Erickson. There is no way of knowing how old this trail dates but its popularity grew after Indian Reserve Treaty No 2 was signed on August 21, 1871. This was about the same time as European settlers using Red River carts settled the area. The trail provided a marked route to follow and a way around ponds, lakes, ravines, and hills.

Below are topographic maps of this trail. Unfortunately they are originals from that summer and are some what worn. I believe this important historical trail is something that should be recorded in the histories of these municipalities: Harrison, Minto, Clanwilliam, Rosedale, Lansdown, Glenella, Westbourne, Lakeview, Alonsa, Amaranth, and the Rolling River Reserve.

Desjarlais Trail – Rolling River Reserve to Mountain Road  

Desjarlais Trail – Mountain Road to Elk Ranch

Desjarlais Trail - Elk Ranch to Bernie

Desjarlais Trail - Bernie to Tenby

Desjarlais Trail – Tenby to Waldersee

Desjarlais Trail – Waldersee to Big Grass Marsh

Desjarlais Trail – Big Grass Marsh to Sandy Bay Reserve