CFS Lac St. Denis – A Bunker Above the Laurentian Mountains
High up on a Laurentian Mountain peak, you will find a concrete ruin layered in graffiti and shrouded in mystery. The folk in rural Canada gossip, especially when the Canadian army installs a massive base up on a mountain at the height of the Cold War. This facility generated rumors of underground bases, missile defenses and the like. Today the complex has no use, and none of the horizon. It is the perfect playground for urban explorers, paintball enthusiast and local party animals.
A Brief History
Built in 1952 as a radar station, the site remained in use until 1986. It was part of the “pine tree” line, a series of four similar bases built across the Laurentian shield. This complex included PMQ’s and barracks for the air force, and the community here was quite lively. The automation of the base’s radar equipment and a host of other changes led to the eventual depopulation of the base and the eventual dismantling of the dome that once covered the structure.
Exploring the Base
Although fenced off, you will surely find that locals have cut a whole through so that you may enter! Once you hike along the road heading up, you will come across the concrete monstrosity. This rectangular four story box is surrounded by short concrete and an ash fact courtyard courtyard along its face.
While some army bases are closed to the public, this radar station was actually open to the public. Those humors mentioned in the introduction were quickly quashed as locals were able to enjoy the amenities such as the pool and other recreational activities here in the 1950’s and 1960s.
Inside the years of decay have left the structure bare and full of garbage. Please leave no trace and bring your bottles back to the car with you, the broken glass is not cool!
The stairwells are still in good condition and you can make your way up to the upper floors. Looking down at the lower floors from here is pretty neat! I do warn you however to watch where you step as there are several similar gaps in the floor and with no guardrails they can pose a hazard.
The views of the surrounding nature from the upper floors are lovely however so it is worth going up!
Some parts of the radar station are dark so so bring a flashlight.
The structure has been thoroughly covered in graffiti some of it interesting but much of it not. It is the sheer number of tags that make it a colourful place to check out.
One graffiti artists at the base has been rather creative but a bit of an of asshole. One of the windows looks out on a tag that says JUMP. I laughed, but I enjoy dark humour!
Conclusion
Looking out at the hills surrounding the base, one could understand why locals youths sneak up here the hang out. It is simply a beautiful place to catch a sunset or bask in the sun.
