The Kicking Horse River offers excitement, history, wildlife and incredible scenery. A wild, untamed river discovered in the 1800’s on the famous Palliser Expedition. The history of the wild west is alive along it’s shores as remnants of a bygone era are still evident.
The Kicking Horse River originating in Yoho National Park, is a classic example of a glacier-fed mountain river. It’s source is the meltwater from the Icefields that straddle the Great Divide. The Kicking Horse flows through the Eastern and Western Main Ranges of the Rocky Mountains.
From Wapta Lake, in Kicking Horse Pass, to the park’s western boundary, the river drops 800 metres over 49 kilometres. After leaving the park, downstream from Wapta Falls, the River tumbles through the Kicking Horse Canyon and joins the Columbia River in Golden.
The Entire Length of the Kicking Horse River is 52 Kilometres, with the raftable sections beginning just downstream of Wapta Falls ( A great hike in Yoho National Park if you have time)
How the River got it’s name
The River’s unusual name stems from an incident near Wapta Falls in August 1858, Sir James Hector writes:
“A little way above this fall one of our pack horses, to escape the fallen timber, pulnged into the river, luckily where it formed an eddy, but the banks were so steep that we had great difficulty in getting him out. In attempting to recatch my own horse, which had strayed off while we were engaged with the one in the water, he kicked me in the chest, but I had luckily got close to him before he struck out, so that I did not get the full force of the blow. However, it knocked me down and rendered me senseless for some time. This was unfortunate, as we had seen no tracks of game in the neighbourhood, and were now without food:but I was so hurt that we could not proceed further that day at least”
-James Hector chronicles, 1858
Who was James Hector?
As surgeon and geologist to the Palliser Expedition from 1857 to 1860, Hector explored the country from the Red River settlement (Winnipeg) to Vancouver Island. He made many important observations regarding the geology and ethnology of the Canadian West and the Rocky Mountains and discovered the important Kicking Horse Pass, and unintentionally gave the Kicking Horse River it’s name. The Kicking Horse Pass later became the route of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Featured Rapids:
PORTAGE/SHOTGUN (4)
Location: Middle Canyon
This 800 metre section is a classic example of a Glacier fed Class 4 Run ! Prior to running this rapid you'll have the opportunity to scout it with your guide and fellow rafters.
The beginning of the rapid is a glassy chute with a rapid called "Terminator" to the left. This smooth lead-up is no match for what's to come: A Class 4 Boulder field with overhead waves. Just when you think the fun is going to stop, the river bends and brings us to Shotgun: the crux maneuver of the Portage & Shotgun rapids. Shotgun is an underwater rock ledge which forms a fantastic pourover, giving you the sensation of dropping and getting soaked all in one!
ROLLER COASTER (3+)
Location: Middle Canyon
This 0.5 Kilometre rapid is a friendly section of river that everyone will love. There are 9 waves in a row ranging from 7 to 10 feet high awaiting unsuspecting rafters! This section really gets the crew laughing as it literally feels as though you're riding a whitewater roller coaster!
WAVE TRAIN (4)
Location: Lower Canyon
Thought we left the fun in the Middle Canyon? Think again! Wave Train is the first rapid in the Lower Canyon designed to give unsuspecting rafters a taste of what's to come. The Waves are similar to the Rapids of Roller Coaster in the Middle Canyon however steeper, bigger and faster! At it's biggest the waves are 15 feet high..that's two stories.
DOUBLE TROUBLE (4+)
Location: Lower Canyon
After hitting the Wave Train above, seasoned rafters are now ready to take on the challenge of Double Trouble. The rapid consists of 2 monstrous waves at midpoint on the Lower Canyon section. When the raft is at the base of the waves it is impossible to see what's ahead beyond the frothing wave in front of you...A must do!
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