Paddling on the Kakwa River

Kakwa River - A big water multiday trip with no required hiking. Rafting companies run this as a 3 day trip, though it can be done in 2 or even 1 day when there are high flows and a strong crew. The run begins with a mellow float which picks up into some grade I-II rapids and somewhere around the 25Km mark (3-4hrs) you arrive at Little Kakwa Falls (IV). This can be identified by a quickening pace in the river associated a sharp left turn with steep gravel bank on the Left and a large gravel bar on the right. Many groups select this as Camp #1. Below Little Kakwa Falls the pace is steady with grade II+/III+ big water, lots of haystacks, a few holes, and plenty of log jams in the corners. Watch for a small creek pouring into the Kakwa from the left down a steep canyon wall as the river swings to the Right. In this section there are a number of surfable waves and even eddy service at some levels. This is an alternate Camp #1. The river continues with more grade III big water until its confluence with the Smoky River. This is a possible Camp #2. From the confluence there is ~4hrs of Grade I-II to the take out, with the exception of some grade III/IV when the Smoky meets the Cutbank River. A large orange train bridge towering overhead will signify that you still have a long way to go :( keep paddling until you see the Smoky Flats Recreation area on river right. You'll know you've missed the takeout by ~1Km if you pass under the one way logging bridge that provides access to the recreation area.