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our rivers
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Our Rivers At Wild Blue Yonder we seem to run all kinds of rivers, but actually we run 4 rivers: the Smoky River, the Sulphur River, the Kakwa River and Sheep Creek. The Smoky River: this is our big river - all other rivers we run feed into the Smoky - pictured above is the Sulphur Gates, where the Sulphur feeds into the Smoky. The Smoky is a main tributary to the MacKenzie River and the Arctic watershed, starting at tiny Adolphus Lake, near the base of Mt. Robson. The river is glacier-fed, primarily from Coleman Glacier, which feeds into the Smoky at about 5 km from the source. As the Smoky makes it's way to us in Grande Cache, it runs through Jasper National Park and Willmore Wilderness Park. In Jasper it is either sprawling braided across vast glacier flood plains or running swift & deep through many canyons and over countless ledges& waterfalls. As it enters Willmore, there are some major waterfalls, and then the rivers mellows into a class 1/2. After Grande Cache, there are only a couple of sections that are class 3. We run 3 sections of the Smoky: The Muddywater Trip starts in Willmore Park (horses carry you and the boats in) just before the Muddywater River at an historic spot called "Clarke's Crossing". This trips ends at the Blue Bridge where the highway crosses the Smoky. This section is call class 1/2, a mellow but fast running paddle. The Smoky Float starts at the Blue Bridge, and runs for about 12 km. It is a flat section, with one short section of class 3 rapids by the local gun range. The Smoky Overnight starts about 80 km north of Grande Cache and runs for another 90 km north towards Grande Prairie. This section encompasses the other sections of class 3, 3+ rapids known as the Chutes and Cutbank Rapids. Smoky Overnight & Muddy Water River Trip Information
The Sulphur River: this is our most scenic river! The Sulphur River runs through a long, deep canyon in Willmore Park, feeding into the Smoky at the well-known lookout, Sulphur Gates. The Sulphur River is primarily rain and snow- fed, although it apparently starts near from an historic area called Big Graves deep in the heart of Willmore Par. The river is narrow and shallow, and filled with rocks! This makes for an interesting, technical run. The walls of the canyon are truly the highlight of this trip, delighting rafters with incredible landscapes that must be seen to be appreciated. We think the Sulphur is a happy river, as it bubbles and gurgles it's way along. Sulphur River Trip Information
The Kakwa River: this river is well-known in the area: Jasper rafting companies drive 4 hours each way to get to it! A classic, medium volume pool and drop, the Kakwa is probably the most exciting overnight rafting trip in Alberta. Sourcing from a lake close to the BC border in the Kakwa Wildlands Park, the Kakwa is famous for a huge 150' waterfall far upstream of where our trip starts. We put in where Highway 40 crosses the kakwa. Again, the Kakwa feeds into the Smoky.
Sheep Creek: don't be fooled by the name - if the Sulphur gurgles, this creek roars!! This is a very fast, very steep intense steep-creeking run. Small volume and narrow, this is a solid class 5 river if the entire section is run. However, we run only the lower class 4 section. The creek runs through the old coal mine area, and can be accessed in several spots. Local paddlers put-in high up on the Beaverdam road. Another crossing is the Bailey Bridge, just above a serious class 5 rapid. Popular - but only for those who really know their stuff. Even the lower section of the creek should not be under-estimated. Hazards include undercuts, log jams and very sharp rocks.
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