Torrens River Upper Section III+ -IV

Gauges

There are none! This is remote full on wilderness river which can fluctuate right in front of your eyes. The only gauge in the area is at Pinto Creek which you cross on the way to the Torrens. The day we ran the river it was in low pre-season levels with a lot of rock dodging. The Pinto Creek gauge was at 3.3 cms.

Also, if you are unable to walk across the river at the put in...be prepared for a wild ride!!

Take Out

The whole shuttle for this river can be done with a mountain bike or quad. The day we paddled the river we had 8 guys and two big SUV's...shutling in style! You will actually arrive at the take out of this river on the way to the put in.

To get there drive south of Grande Prairie on Highway 40 to the Wapiti Bridge and exit to head towards Grovedale. Once at the Grovedale Grocery Stoore, turn right and continue on Secondary Road 666 towards the Two Lakes Provincial Forest Recreational Area. The road becomes gravel just past the Devon Gas Plant, so having a reliable all wheel drive or 4 X 4 in bad weather.

Continue on this dirt road, pass Two Lakes, and cross over a bridge over a small creek (Stetson Creek). This road will eventually take you to Sherman Meadows where there is a dirt airstrip on the left side of the road. This is your take out. Park on the right towards an outhouse. Approximately 2.0 hours from Grande Prairie with good road conditions.

Walk down to the river and mark your take out just below the last 6 foot waterfall. If you continue further, you will be getting into more drops, steeper whitewater, and a crazy epic trying to get out of the area.

Put In

Main

From Sherman Meadows continue up the road for about 10 minutes, cross Lick Creek, and stay to the right at any forks. This will eventually lead down to the main put in for the Torrens. Once again, if you can't walk across the river at the put in, be prepared for a hairy ride!

Hike

You have just completed a 2+ hour journey to get to the river, now you should really hike up another hour to get at more whitewater...it is worth it! Cross over to the west side of the river and walk on a quad track headed upstream. This small quad trail will eventually turn to the west after about 30-40 minutes of grunting. Keep checking water levels on your way up. Go as far as the water permits you to go. We snuck down a small drainage without much difficulty.

Overview

If you are looking for a great full on wilderness wilderness trip, this is the one for you. The river is clean, clear, and exciting. This river is mostly pool and drop with some technical moves required. A few boaters in our group compared it to the Sheep Creek, but not as continuous. I find it very similar to the Lower run on the Highwood River. Be prepared for multiple 2-4 foot drops, play holes, and a great 4-5 foot waterfall marking the end of the run. I recommend the hike up as you will experience a few more great rapids. Come prepared: ropes, carabiners, tow harness, food, water, first aid, etc.

Torrens River Highlights

• The Ramp III
• Slice and Dice III+
• Jim's Dilemma III
• Old School Ender Hole II
• Ledges III
• Panic Attack III+
• Sherman Falls III+ -IV

Rapid Description

The Ramp III

After bumping and grinding down the shallow creek bed, you come upon one of the first of multiple ledge drops on the Torrens. This 45 degree bedrock ramp pours over into a small deep pool. At higher water levels this ramp could prove to be quite the keeper as there are no natural breaks off of the ramp. Great photo opportunity here to do boof shots or back drops off the ledge.

Slice and Dice III+

Slice is the first drop which, at the time we paddled had a large log on the river right side of the slot. It is possible to do a log slide off the drop, but just remember where you are!

Dice is just below Slice and it is a narrow 4-5 foot wide slot which slants down at 20 degrees for about 30 feet.Don't plant your padle unless you have a spare in the group as this slide will do quite the number on it.

Jim's Dilemma III

This drop (amongst others on the run) drops into a deep pool which has some strong currents beneath the drop, mystery moves in playboats are not uncommon here at lower levels.

Old School Ender Hole II

This is the first feature from the regular put in spot. This small right turning slot funnels the entire flow of the Torrens through it. At lower levels is becomes a great hole to work on cartwheels, splitwheels, and other rodeo moves. At higher flows the drop washes out and the flow rockets you into the lunch eddy below. There are great eddies on both the river right and left sides to approach the hole. The bedrock outcrop on the river right side will allow photographers to get in tight to the action. A good place to spend an hour.

The Ledges III

Many distinct ledges will soon be encountered down from the ender hole. These ledges (2-4 feet) have many lines depending on water levels. This section of the Torrens is very similar to the Highwood River down in Southern Alberta. Canyon walls, and multiple eddies provide solid class III entertainment. It is also a great stretch to assess the strength of your group. If they have been having troubles through the ledges then they may want to consider portaging around the next rapid, Panic Atack.

Panic Attack III+

This drop requires a quick right hand turn up beside a slanting bank which shoots you into a slot where there is a potential broaching rock, a quick left turn past the rock leads you to a 2-3 foot drop into a pool. Be sure to be aggressive when coming near the bank as any wrong move will send you right into the broach rock on the left side. The current is deceptively swift here, so excercise additional caution in higher water levels. Seal launch off of the river left slanting rock face which is also a great place for safety and photo ops.

Sherman Falls III+ -IV

The last feature and one of the most exciting finishes to the run, this 4-5 foot waterfall has multiple lines. River right against the wall will lead you right into the meat foam below, river center leads over exposed ledges, and extreme river left leads over a small ramp halfway down to a boof move. This is quite the fun spot, so spend some additional time playing on this feature. You can portage back up to the top of the rapid on the river right side if you have someone taking photos on the ledge above. Scout and/or seal launch on river right.

Journal

Click here to check out the trip journal for this river.

Map

• 83L04 - Kakwa Falls 1:50,000
• 83L- Wapiti 1:250,000