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Region Details

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

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I think it was John Grace who once said "It's all just training for British Columbia". He was referring to the super challenging creeking and multi day wilderness whitewater trips that are located all over this mountainous province. There is a lifetime worth of easy and intermediate paddling too. Whether it is multi day ocean trips, winter whitewater paddling on Vancouver Island, surfing tidal rapids, creeking in the interior, remote trips up north BC offers it all and then some.

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Canoe Kayak Freestyle Committee National Programs

Canoe Kayak Canada Freestyle is responsible for the growth and development of Freestyle Canoe/Kayak in Canada. We work with provincial, territorial and local organizations to hold programs that support athlete development. We also host National Team trials and support athletes at the international level.

Whitewater Kayak Trips or Routes around Radium Hot Springs

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McLeod Meadows to Canal Flats
Kootenay River - This is a 3 - 5day section that can be split into smaller more interesting pieces. Low water is when this run is suitable for overnight trips as there are easy ways to navigate all rapids and keep your gear dry! There is take out access at km 19 (horseshoe rapids recreation site) making the run 2-3hrs long. There is also take out access at km 35 on Kootenay River Rd making this run 4-7hrs long depending on water levels and pit stops.
Classic Section
Horsethief Creek - This is run offers continuous medium volume boulder bed style rapids with spectactular scenery. This class 3-4 run starts off with a few kilometres of mellow class 2 - 2+ before leading into the portage rapid (Portage river right). There are two parts to the portage rapid, the waterfall (Class 5+) and the slide (Class 5), most groups will portage both rapids. From there run consists of mainly class 3-3+ with a short class 4 section. Expect continuous sweep corners, sharp rocks and holes/pour overs; good river reading and leading skills is highly recommended. Towards the end of the run, the river splits for a couple hundred meters, both channels are known to collect wood from time to time.
Numa Falls to Floe Creek
Vermillion River - This is a great low volume river in an excellent spot and is certainly worth a trip, if not a stop on the way to another western slope river. The crux of the paddle is the first 500 metres below Numa Falls. Numa Falls has been run but is pretty staunch! At the put in the canyon is tight and the water pushes over a number of ledges before spitting out in a wider, tree lined, valley. The largest feature is a river wide v shaped ledge about 400 metres from the put in, this might go at III during high flows, probably II+ at lower flows. There isn’t any great way to scope the canyon section so if there is a lot of wood, or your tentative to run the canyon section I probably would try and find an alternative entrance (probably about 500m further down the access trail). After the canyon section, the river widens out and meanders through a scenic valley, occasionally entering areas of wide gravel flats. These sections are prone to collect wood, so keep an eye open. There are a couple of small, partial river wide, ledges and some bigger waves in these sections however most things could be avoided if necessary. After Floe creek enters the Vermilion, the river tightens up enters a smaller canyon again. In this section there may be some ledges during low water, however at higher flows big waves are the only challenge. Apparently a lower levels there may be some substantial undercut ledges so be aware. At the end of the canyon is the take out bridge.

Photos of Radium Hot Springs Trips

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