Upper Bugaboo Falls.

The Very impressive Lower Bugaboo Falls.

Section 1: Bugaboo Septet Campsite to Rocky Point

The upper section extends about 8 km from the Bugaboo Septet Campground to where the Rocky Point trail meets the Bugaboo Forest Service Road which follows the creek closely at that point. Be sure to mark your takeout clearly as the action definitely picks up beyond the Rocky Point take-out. This section is composed mostly of Class II and III water separated by some flat water and the odd logjam. A playful ten foot "auto-boof" drop is found approximately halfway down the run. Eddy out and scout on the left.

Special caution should be made to remember that Upper Bugaboo Falls looms. This twenty-five footer has a very ragged entrance which should deter most sane thrill seekers. It would likely deserve a Class VI rating, especially if a poor soul somehow got drawn into the river right portion of this feature. As you approach, keep your eyes open for the fence on the river left which guards spectators from getting too close to the falls. That marks your eddy and portage trail.

A special note regarding camping at the Bugaboo Septet Camping Area. This warning is courtesy of our friends of mountaineering, who also frequent this area. It was relayed to my paddling partners and myself that there exists a fierce pack of porcupines in the area that enjoy feasting on automobile tires and wiring. At this point, you find yourself out of cell phone range and a long way from the nearest tow-truck. Therefore, we took the advice of our friends and fenced off the area surrounding our vehicle with chicken wire fence that was left by previous visitors. Other defenses would likely include sprinkling cayenne pepper around your vehicle or bring an attentive dog to camp with you.

The riverside Septet, which is free by the way, is not the only place to camp in this area but it does offer the most amenities including a serviced outhouse, picnic tables and fire pits. Unless you are planning to paddle the upper section of the Bugaboo, it is likely more convenient to find informal camping at any of the clearings along the Bugaboo Forest Service Road.

Paul Muegge running the ten footer.

Septet Campground: Beware of Porcupines.

Section 2: Rocky Point to First Bridge

The second section runs approximately 11 km from the Rocky Point take-out/put-in to a car bridge. Prepare yourself for very technical Class V water on this section that doesn't allow you to "catch your breath" in one or two sections. Indecision or half hearted attempts at eddies will find you being swept away by deceivingly pushy water and may have you finding yourself in dangerous situations amidst the numerous Class V-VI rapids.

Rapid names like Psychotic, Pinball Alley, Head banger and Maelstrom give a pretty accurate description of what is in store for you. Big, pushy, jumbled, boulder gardens characterize the majority of the rapids in this section. Case in point, as I led a partner, boat scouting down a moderately hairy section I made the decision to eddy out behind a small outcrop to get an eyeful of how my trailing partner was negotiating the rapids. I am not sure if my view of the rapid was obstructed or what exactly but my eddy move found myself on the brink of an eight foot ledge with a horrible recirculation. Without time to spin my boat 180, a huge reverse boof stroke was required to clear the boil line. A good thing too, as I recall we opted to portage the rapid which followed immediately below. Moral of the story - stay on your game and keep your eyes wide open on this one.

The rapids are long, technical and on occasion include one or two very sticky holes which may encourage you to seek a dry path. Once again, the odd logjam must be negotiated where the flatter, slower sections allow avalanche-swept wood to collect. My exploration of this section has been limited to lower water conditions. It would not be hard to imagine that a high water scenario would be borderline insanity, but that's just one man's opinion.

Classic B.C. boulder gardens.

Section 3: Bridge to Lower Bugaboo Falls/Westside Road

This section is approximately 16 km long and is a bit different in character than Section # 2. This section likely deserves an overall rating of Class IV but make no mistake - there is serious waters contained within this canyon. On the bright side, most serious sections have calmer sections between allowing one to recapture one's courage or contemplate the wisdom employed on the previous rapid.

I will provide two options for takeouts, the first being a well-worn trail on river right just above the magnificent Lower Bugaboo Falls which will take you to the trail head just off Westside Road. This may be your option of choice if you have found the previous rapids to be a challenge because below the Falls await two very serious rapids, Trident (Class V) and Monkey Bars (Class VI), the latter of which requires a "portage from hell" if you don't feel up to running it. Option two is taking out at the bridge following this challenging section.

A couple of km of swifts and Class II's allow you to warm up before you arrive at Fandango Canyon, my personal favorite rapid on this river. This rapid begins with a right-handed, slanting 10-15 footer followed by a series of ledges the last of which is segmented by protruding rocks which give you a couple options. As I recall, scout on the left and a huge recovery pool is found below.

An unnamed long and cruisy Class IV rapid is the next big highlight. Two-thirds the way down the rapid is the crux move to punch a big, river-wide hole named Aerator. Paddle assertively through this hole as a solid 50 m of Class IV boulder field follows quickly.

At some point you we hear the unmistakable thunder of Lower Bugaboo Falls. A good-sized eddy is found on the right above the falls as the falls turn left and plummets 70 m below(according to Stuart Smith's book). The approach to the eddy is not a real difficult