The main gauge is under the HWY 40 bridge heading
towards Hinton is a good indicator of how the river will be down stream. In the spring when run off is
high, the river is swift, and exciting. The Mason Creek day use area is a good stop off point for
beginners, as intermediate paddlers should progress further downstream to the main falls.
The Lower Muskeg, below the falls, can be run in high and low flows, however by late June flows are
generally too low.
Take Out
There are three take out points for the Muskeg, as there are three sections to paddle on this river.
Mason Creek Take Out
Mason Creek is the take out for beginners starting from the Hwy 40 bridge and is passed enroute to the
put in heading south of Grande Cache. The day use area is 19 km south of Grande Cache. The river downstream of
this take out is much more technical, so if you are unsure of your skill or night is falling, take out here.
Muskeg Falls Take Out
The Muskeg Falls take out is right off Hwy 40 about 16 km south of Grande Cache. The Highway has a small
paved pull off from the main flow of traffic, and the trail can be seen going into the trees. This is also
the put in for the Lower Muskeg.
Lower Muskeg Take Out
The Muskeg travels behind Grande Cache to the north of the townsite. The river drains into the Smoky
just north of town heading to Grande Prairie. From Grande Cache, drive 18 km north of town on
Hwy 40 and turn right at the Smoky River Coal / ATCO Electric site. Cross the Wanyandie Bridge
(yielding to trucks), turn left and follow the low road to a narrow bridge spanning the Muskeg
River within sight of its confluence with the Smoky.
The Put In
There are two main put ins for the Muskeg are for the Upper, and the Lower.
Upper Muskeg
For those wishing to run the Muskeg either to Mason Creek or to Muskeg Falls, the main put in is
right where Hwy 40 crosses the Muskeg 22 km south of Grande Cache.
Lower Muskeg
As described above, the Muskeg Falls take out is the main put in for the Lower Muskeg section.
To run the lower section, you will have to park your vehicle and hike 1.5 km to Muskeg Falls. Before
descending to the falls, a scree / dirt / shale slope can be identified to the left, and a faint trail
with some flagging tape can be seen. Pick your way down the slope to access the river below the class VI
falls.
Overview
This mountain river has a great feel and appeals to all levels of paddlers. The upper section to Mason
Creek is a easy flowing section with distinct eddies and straight forward river running as is a great section
to take beginners down. There is the odd sweeper and/or strainer on this section to watch for.
Below Mason Creek, the gradient increases, and features become more pronounced. Intermediate paddlers
will find this section challenging, especially when it comes to the 15' seal launch around Little Muskeg
Falls.
The take out for the upper section must be above Muskeg Falls. This 45' drop makes an
abrupt river left turn over the brink of the falls. There are multiple spots to pull out above the falls
and the trail leading to the take out is evident. One season an empty kayak went off the drop only to
be recovered downstream with a gaping hole in the nose of the craft.
The trail up to the take out begins steep, and in wet weather is very hazardous without solid footwear.
The trail eases once you reach the top of the drainage, and continues for about 5-10 minutes to the roadside
takeout on Hwy 40.
The lower Muskeg is a fun, but long, class II run with the odd class III- drop. This 22 km section
is very scenic, and is a good long day for beginners and intermediate paddlers. However, there are sweepers
and strainers along this stretch, so be aware.
Muskeg River Highlights:
The surfing wave at the Highway 40 bridge
The Fraser Ledge
Tumble Weed
The Little Muskeg Falls, 15ft seal launch for the portage
Rapid Description
Highway 40 Bridge Wave
The Highway 40 bridge wave is a favourite after work location for many local Grande Cache paddlers as the
wave is fast, and steep. In flood levels, the wave breaks and retains the paddler well, however, it is harder
to get back on as the eddies flush out. In lower water levels the wave smoothes out, and wants to flush the
paddler off, but it is much easier to crawl back up the eddies to get back on the wave. Be aware, there is
rebar along the shoreline where the eddies lie.
Fraser's Ledge
Fraser's Ledge is the first class III+ -IV drop below Mason Creek where the river funnels and
deflects river right through a broken 5' ledge drop. This drop should be scouted, as the landing
is sketchy at best. Scout and portage on river left.
Tumble Weed Play Wave
Tumble Weed is a small hole / wave feature downstream of Fraser's Ledge which gets a lot of play
time. This spot is great for practicing freestyle wave moves on the river left side, and hole moves on
the river right of the feature. Groups will spend a lot of time here, and it makes for a great spot for
a break before heading down to Little Muskeg Falls.
Little Muskeg Falls / Seal Launch
Little Muskeg Falls is a two stage class IV+ -V drop which drops into flat recirculating holes. The
drop has been run in the past, but it is wise to portage on the river left side. The portage is sketchy
in wet weather, as the sloping rock leading to the seal launch becomes very slippery. There have been
incidents in the past where people have lost their footing here, and have fallen into the class IV below.
Wapiti Whitewater Kayakers has identified this spot as being extremely hazardous, and has launched some funding
with the Alberta Whitewater Association to place a fixed bolt cable handrail for paddlers to use to help
with the portage to the seal launch. The seal launch is about 15 feet off of an overhang landing in the
large pool below.
Muskeg Falls Take Out
The take out is downstream a short ways just past a small class II. There is a calm stretch of river
and the main falls can be heard here. Take out anywhere along the left short, and make your way back to the
take out via a very steep trail.
Lower Muskeg
The put in for the Lower Muskeg is down a scree dirt slope right near where the main trail descends down
to Muskeg Falls. The trail is faint, and not very well trodden. The river below the falls levels out in gradient
leaving the river with frequent class II rifles. There is the occasional class III- ledge along this stretch
just to keep things fun and interesting for beginners. Be mindful of sweepers and strainers on this section, as
they occasionally pop up here and there. A very scenic section of the Muskeg.
