Trip Coordinators: Carrie Cherkawski

Participants: Carrie C, Denise J, Karyn M, Kevin S, Kevin W.

Estimate length: 49.2km, 7 hours including stops

Actual length: 49.5km, 6 ½ hours moving, with a total 1½ hours for breaks.

The Kevins and I met at the boat launch in Athabasca at 8 am Saturday morning.  Access to the boat launch is across from the Husky service station at the intersection of 50th Ave and 49th Street. Here, we unloaded and then, leaving Kevin W. with the boats, Kevin S and I headed with our vehicles to the take-out point at Poachers Landing where Denise and Karyn camped Friday and Saturday nights. We car pooled back to Athabasca in Karyn’s vehicle which also transported Denise and Karyn’s boats. 

Athabasca Landing (launch site):

Poachers Landing Campground is about 45 minutes from our launch point. All of it is paved except for the last 1-2km which is gravel. The gravel portion is more like dirt with a couple of low spots. I have a small SUV (Ford Escape) and had no concerns but it could be an issue for small cars if there was a lot of rain. Denise and Karyn camped here both nights and had a positive experience.

Take out at Poachers Landing

Participants were reminded to bring all the mandated boating safety equipment and were informed that cell coverage is good in Athabasca, but patchy in the surrounding area and unreliable on most of the river.  Denise brought the club's first aid kit and we reviewed safety signals before we launched.

We stopped for lunch around the 3 hour and 24km mark in a nice grassy area with shade. However, I recommend going a bit further to Riverside Campground at the 24.3km mark. The campground provides a decent beach, picnic tables, benches and pit toilets. This campground could be used for an overnight spot if the trip were to be spread over two days. The beach was busy this year with people fishing and enjoying the sunny 24-degree day. 

We made several stops along the way and spotted 6 deer, a coyote, hawks, a bald eagle and many different types of waterfowl along the way. The geese put on a great show as we "chased" them down the river wondering why they wouldn't just turn around and go the opposite way than us.

The flow rate this year was low at 372m3/s where as last year it was over 500m3s.  Our floating speed this year was around 3km/hr vs 5km/hr last year. Our moving average both years was about the same (7.5km/hr), but this year we paddled a lot harder.

There were no concerning hazards, water levels were good and the trip would be suitable for all skill levels who are willing to paddle 6+ hours in a kayak. 

At the end of the trip, Kevin S. drove home and I transported Kevin W. and his boat along with Denise and Karyn back to Athabasca to their vehicles. Denise's vehicle stayed a Poachers with her and Karyn’s boats and campers. After switching Kevin’s boat over to his vehicle, the four of us went to Famous Sal’s Famous for lasagna.

All in all, the trip went very smoothly and everyone indicated that they would be interested in doing it again.