Opeongo & Madawaska Rivers

Submitted by KnaapenFrank on Wed, 02/23/2011 - 12:08

Whitewater

The Opeongo River and the Madawaska River (Whitney to Madawaska) will still be running high, with volumes anywhere from C2 to C3 with some optional C4, hopefully featuring hot spring weather (we enjoyed a snow blizzard last year!) Camp at a beautiful spot to enjoy spring peepers and cherry blossoms, or stay overnight at Whitney.

The Basics

Event Location:

Whitney & Madawaska on Hwy 60 in Algonquin Park

Date(s) & Time:

Saturday, May 14, 2011 - 09:00

Registration Cut Off:

n.a.

Event Duration:

1 or 2 days

Difficulty Rating:

Intermediate

Participant Info

Who's Invited:

Whitewater paddlers

Maximum Group Size:

4 boats

Minimum Group Size:

1 boat (ours)

Itinerary

Itinerary description:

We will run the Opeongo River from the Algonquin Park Shall Lake put-in, to the first take-out on Aylen Lake Rd. On Sunday we run the Madawaska from the Adventure Lodge put-in to the take out bridge on the Shall Lake Access Rd. We camp overnight at a beautiful location and provide bug shelter.

The Opeongo River is a fun C2-3 whitewater run with no waterfalls. The most difficult rapid, where scouting is not possible (run tight right) occurs at the end of the whitewater section. There are short optional drags at a couple of ledges. We leave early to paddle across Victoria Lake before any wind starts. There is an ATV trail along the river below Victoria Lake to the take-out. We will scout the C2 canyon for sweepers which Frank may tackle with the chain-saw.

The Madawaska River features more technical C2-3 rapids which can all be scouted, portaged or lined. There are 2 waterfalls with longer portages, which should not present any problems. There is an ATV trail the full length of the river.

We have run both these rivers annually for 15 years.

Required Items to Bring:

Fully outfitted WW canoe with center bag, full body wet/drysuit, helmet etc. Barrel with warm up clothes, personal first aid, cell phones usually function in this area.

We carry emergency overnight shelter, WFA Kit, Globalstar SATPhone, 100 ft steel Z-drag cable with cum-a-long and a chain saw to clean up any sweepers on the Opeongo. Frank is a certified Chainsaw Instructor responsible for 35 Forestry Technician Students in the bush!