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Region Details

Looking for the best places to Whitewater Kayak in and around Grande Cache? Below are some great routes, trips and resources to help you Whitewater Kayak in and around Grande Cache.

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Diverse is how we would best describe the paddling in this mountain/prairie province. In the west of the province runs are characterized by beautiful backdrops, continuous rivers and cold water. Everything from mellow multi day floats in national parks to hairy class V creeking is available in the west. As you move further east the gradient drops but there are still plentiful paddling options for those looking to float mellow rivers in really unique surroundings. It is a huge province so don't neglect to look north and south too. A very worthwhile paddling destination in it's own right.

Area Sponsor

Aquabatics Calgary

Whitewater Kayak Trips or Routes

Grande Cache

Raft Run
Sulphur River - A very continuous grade II-III run through a deep scenic canyon. The canyon cuts through a coal seam and the grain of the rock provides endless eddies with clean sharp eddy lines, and lots of one-shot waves, particularly at high water. There are also a couple of decent sized, sticky hydraulics, especially at higher water. The run passes by the incredible Sulphur Gates before its confluence with the Smoky River. To get to the Sulphur Gates take out: you must ferry as soon as the Sulphur and Smoky rivers meet in order catch the river left eddy on the Smoky, located immediately downstream of Sulphur Gates. To get to the blue bridge take out: carry on down the mellow grade I-II Smoky for close to 1hr and grab the river right eddy after the blue bridge.
Canyon
Sheep Creek - A cold, remote, medium volume river through beautiful rocky mountain scenery. The run starts with 45 minutes of flat water to get you warmed up and provide a little time to watch for moose and other wildlife along the way. Be aware that many of the rapids on this river are created by rock ledges which create retentive holes that have dished out their fair share of beat downs. A hike out may be very arduous depending on mine traffic as this run is more or less in the middle of nowhere. The fun starts as the river begins to drop at the Horn Rock rapid(III+) and becomes fairly continuous. Not long after the start of the whitewater the river passes under a large concrete bridge and enters a short canyon section which ends as the river constricts into the the Grade IV Cauldron. At the cauldron the river is forced through a slot ~8m wide which often catches large logs. Scout/portage on the right. Below the Cauldron are a number of ledge drops before the river enters the Grade V canyon(often log choked), after running or portaging the Cauldron eddy river left and hike up the steep hill ~200m to the 4×4 track and scout/portage the canyon. Below the Canyon you'll find plenty of fun grade IV boogie water, a few more ledges (including the very retentive Heidi's ledge), and some mellow bits between with lots of one shot waves.

Local Paddling Clubs

Paddle Junkies

whitewater kayaking club focused on bridging the gap for adult beginner, novice and intermediate kayaking in Calgary and surrounding area