The Scene: A really cool run. At lower flows most drops, except Tigers Jaw, are reasonably easy. At high flows this is not the case. Overall though, a really nice run in a really cool canyon. This is a true classic.

Flow Information:

Runnable anywhere from 6-60cms, at high flows the drops are really hard, big holes etc. Ask Sean about his swim at only 35cms. Flows around 10-20 are probably a pretty good level to maximize the drops, and not make the rest too boring. At high flows there was some really good whitewater in the lower canyons, below Triple Falls, some even approaching class IV+ or maybe even V...don't really remember, just remember a few big holes.

Transport Information: It’s by the Sandy McNabb Campground, which is sort of near Black Diamond, Alberta, or Turner Valley. The put in is Bluerock Creek ...which has a few runnable drops in flood, by the way :). The takeout is Gorge Creek, I believe. Seriously, don't rely on these directions, get a map, or Stuart Smith's Guidebooks---they are extremely useful.

The Rapids:

The first drop occurs not far below Bluerock Creek, it is a river wide ledge, about 4 feet high, and a sticky hole at certain levels, although it is quite easy to boof over. The river flattens until you get to Sheep Falls. This is the easiest cleanest fall I've ever run. If the water is high stay away from the middle and boof really hard and you will be fine.

From here there are some cool class 3+ rapids; a couple ledges, but nothing to major. There is one neat bedrock channel sort of thing, as it goes around a corner. Below here, it again picks up a gravel/cobble bottom, and this is where you need to pay attention. The only danger on this run, as far as making eddies goes, is making the one above Tigers Jaw Falls. Its easy, there are lots of little eddies on River LEFT, but none are really great, so if your in a big group make sure not everyone roles into here at the same time. The fall is relatively simple, although intimidating. It has a big hole at higher levels, which re-circulates in a circle. At low flows, there is a second part, which is a big spiky rock, not something you want to hit upside down. Rumor has it someone swam into this and broke their back.

After Tigers Jaw you will cruise through Indian Oils which hits a big pillow on the first drop and heads left. You will have a few options here as the river is split by long rock fins. Either one will work as long as you make the right turn at the bottom before running into the head wall. Head down some more class 2 and 3 to Tripple Falls and get out to look.

Triple Falls is a big money drop; lots of reward but definitely sketchy when the water is up. At high water it is not simple. Sean and I contemplated this one for an hour or more, and eventually he decided to go first. The line was complex, and not that clear. He got messed up in the first hole, which set him up badly for the second, where he was ROYALY POUNDED, even once swimming, for 45 seconds. See the movie "Entropy" for the details, but here is a taste: I got his boat from the eddy on river left at the bottom, and his paddle, and one sandal. The other sandal, he found a few weeks later. Check out "Entropy" for this Carnage, along with lots more.

From below here, the creek continues, and there are some class 4 rapids, and nice canyons. Eventually you come out of the Canyons, and your home free. These canyons have a few hard drops, and are not the place to mess up, because even though they are not vertical, they are really steep, and are made of crumbly looking dirt. I think the only way out is to swim to the bottom.

HAVE FUN, AND DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR, GO AT LOW FLOWS ESPECIALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!

Spencer Cox.

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