The North Saskatchewan river is a historic Canadian waterway
that runs from the Rocky Mountains east into Saskatchewan, for a
distance of nearly 1,300 km. Almost the entire distance is
navigable, which made it a prime transportation route for early fur
traders. Put-in points are frequent, camping spots are numerous,
and wildlife is varied and abundant.
The North Saskatchewan eventually feeds into the Saskatchewan
River.
While an end-to-end North Saskatchewan trip could take the
better part of a summer, most canoeists and kayakers tackle the
North Saskatchewan in much shorter spans.
Whitewater is found in the North Saskatchewan's upper course, in
the meltwater of the Saskatchewan glacier along the eastern slopes
of the Rocky Mountains. Waterfalls and wildlife - moose, elk, and
mountain goats - are the backdrop.
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Popular paddling stretches of the river's upper end
include:
• Saskatchewan River Crossing to Abraham Lake - Starting about
50 kilometres from the Saskatchewan glacier, this 30 kilometre
stretch passes through the front ranges of the Rockies. The current
is fast, but all rapids are runnable. Count on 1-2 days to reach
Alberta's largest man-made lake.
• Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House - One of the most popular
paddling stretches of the North Saskatchewan, this 131 kilometre
route through the Rocky Mountain foothills provides almost
continuous whitewater. A series of Class II - III rapids includes
Devil's Elbow, close to the Rocky Mountain House National Historic
Site. Camp on river islands or at local campgrounds and plan to
spend 3 - 4 days on the river.
• Rocky Mountain House to Drayton Valley - Another intermediate
level fast water stretch, with Class I - III rapids, heads east
toward the prairie. Count on 3- 4 days to cover 133
kilometres. |
A rapid's grade is not fixed, since it may vary greatly
depending on the water depth and speed of flow. Although some
rapids may be easier at high flows because features are covered or
"washed-out," high water usually makes rapids more difficult and
dangerous. At flood stage, even rapids which are usually easy can
contain lethal and unpredictable hazards. (Briefly adapted from the
American version of the International Scale of River
Difficulty.)
- Class 1: Very small rough areas, requires no maneuvering.
(Skill Level: None)
- Class 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, small drops, might
require maneuvering. (Skill Level: Basic Paddling Skill)
- Class 3: Whitewater, medium waves, maybe a 3-5 ft drop, but not
much considerable danger. May require significant maneuvering.
(Skill Level: Experienced paddling skills)
- Class 4: Whitewater, large waves, rocks, maybe a considerable
drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed. (Skill Level: Whitewater
Experience)
- Class 5: Whitewater, large waves, large rocks and hazards,
maybe a large drop, precise maneuvering (Skill Level: Advanced
Whitewater Experience)
- Class 6: Whitewater, typically with huge waves, huge rocks and
hazards, huge drops, but sometimes labeled this way due to largely
invisible dangers (e.g. , a smooth slide that creates a
near-perfect, almost inescapable hydraulic, as at Woodall
Shoals/Chattooga). Class 6 rapids are considered hazardous even for
expert paddlers using state-of-the-art equipment, and come with the
warning "danger to life or limb." (Skill Level: Expert)
To successfully log this earth cache you must complete
the following tasks.
1. Decide which class of rapids the devils elbow is and explain
why you chose that class.
2. Tell me at what elevation you are at standing on the shore
beside the Devils Elbow
3. Estimate how long the rapids are from start to finish (First
White Water to last)
4. Take a Picture of you with Devil's Elbow Rapids behind you.
You must email your answers to the cache owner, any logs without
the information being sent within 14 days will be removed.