Rafting down the bow river - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

MonsieurFish · 08-07-2008, 10:33 AM

How could I go about doing this? My girlfriend lives up by Brentwood, and I'm down in Deer Run, so we were thinking of throwing a plastic blow up raft in the river one of these days and sailing down to my place. Is it as easy as that?

Russic · 08-07-2008, 10:41 AM

I would check out the University of Calgary's Outdoor Centre (i think that's what it's called). You can rent a raft that is probably a lot safer!

troutman · 08-07-2008, 10:44 AM

You don't want to go over the weir. Can you portage around it?

FireFly · 08-07-2008, 10:44 AM

Isn't the man eater death trap thing on the Bow? Wouldn't you have to stop before then? Or is that the Elbow?

JD · 08-07-2008, 10:52 AM

The weir is in Inglewood, and there's plenty of warning signs ahead of it. You'll be able to get to the bank and portage around it, on the SOUTH side. The north side will cause you a lot of grief.

That said, a trip from Brentwood to Deer Run would be about a 6-7 hour trip.

You can rent rafts from the University Outdoor Club or from Sports Rent for about the same price, but I find Sports Rent is a little more flexible with their return times and such. U of C wants their stuff back that night, which can be a pain, especially if you've had drinks (which aren't allowed on the river, BTW).

As for it being dangerous, it's not. The river isn't that fast and it's no more than shoulder-deep in most spots. In May or June, sure, it's a death wish, but this time of year it's perfect. It's even warm enough to jump in and float beside your raft as you bob down with the current. Just watch your feet and knees on the rocks!

And have lifejackets cause the fire department will be there and they will check.

kevman · 08-07-2008, 10:58 AM

Outdoor Center has rafts but also check "Lazy Day Raft Rentals" who are located in the curling club on Memorial by Price Island Park. However, most plastic "rafts" should suffice within reason. If you're going to buy one always up size for they are grossly over rated. eg. the 3-person "Shark-Boat" from Canadian Tire is $40 and comofrtably seats two and is more than river worthy.

Yes, the weir is on the Bow and yes you can portage around it.

Don't forget the Life Jackets, not that I'm afraid you can't swim but there is a hefty fine if you're not wearing one. I would also rent (or buy) some paddles for you may need them.

Locke · 08-07-2008, 11:05 AM

Get creative with beverage containers.

ken0042 · 08-07-2008, 12:42 PM

The other thing besides staying clear of the weir is to be very careful going under bridges. The bridge piers will suck your raft in like you wouldn't believe. Whenever possible try to be exactly between two piers. And the best way to make sure you don't get stuck is to appoint a captain of the raft. That way one person is deciding if you are to go left or right of a pier.

Also be sure to wear your life jackets. People die every year on the Bow- the water is very cold so even if you are a good swimmwer you could find yourself in trouble just trying to get to shore without a life jacket.

Boblobla · 08-07-2008, 12:45 PM

You should go from Banff to Canmore tbqh. Put in just below the falls and pull out (pulling out is the safest method btw) just after Canmore. I do this route 2 or 3 times a year. I rent from the place on 16th ave, sports rent I think it is called, and they are awesome.

Just a suggestion. The scenery is MUCH better and I have never seen a fish and wildlife officer on the water so you don't need to be as careful with the beverages.

4X4 · 08-07-2008, 12:53 PM

Not only will they fine you for not wearing a lifejacket, they'll boot you off the river. Better hope you're near a bus stop or something.

I love rafting both the Bow and the Elbow. When I do the Bow I always park at the rec area at Shouldice. Make sure you have at least one paddle for the Bow.
When you approach the weir there's tons of signage. How anyone can be so stupid to still go over the thing (lilke that ###### from Quebec) is beyond me. Get out on the right hand side of the river if you're facing downstream. Walk 50 meters and jump back in.
I've never gone beyond the sewage treatment plant because... well... I choose not to.

As previously mentioned, it'll take you all day to get down to Deer Run, but I don't see any reason why not to do it. In fact, I think it's a great idea and maybe I'll do it this weekend.

Some tips for happy rafting:

Get one of those screw cap ziploc containers for soup. These containers are water tight for your phone and keys and stuff. Plus the air in there makes them buoyant.

For "refreshments" bring a backpack that you don't care gets wet and stuff it full of ice and your drinks. As tempting as it is to hang it off the rope and let it be in the water, it makes your beer piss warm.

Don't be an a-hole and throw stuff overboard. And don't bring glass. Cans only!

Bring a hat! A cowboy hat is best.

Get coozies to cover your cans. What the cops can't see they don't really care about.

Everyone has to have their own lifejacket and as soon as you see a cop, put it on. It's not like the seatbelt law where they'll jack you for not wearing it, but they will tell you to put it on and they may notice what you're drinking (or smoking?) while hollaring to you.

Rafting is an awesome way to spend a day. I don't know how much it is to rent, but to purchase a decent raft should cost you around $100+. Don't waste money with cheap plastic beach toy boats. It'll pop and you'll be on the banks patching it.

Lifejackets are anywhere from $30 - $80 at Crappy Tire or WalMart.

Between you and the old lady, you spend $200 on your own lifejackets and a 2 man raft (that will come with cheap plastic oars) and you've got all you need to enjoy many a Saturday afternoon. A solid investment like a tent or anything else that can be reused many times.

Mike Oxlong · 07-17-2009, 05:06 PM

So I googled Bow river float times and surprise, surpise this was the 3rd result that popped up. I should have known better than to google something. I should have just come to CP first.

Sorry to bump a year old thread but it is rafting season again so hopefully a few people will find this useful again since it is going to be nice this weekend.

Anyone actually know where to find float times from certain points on the Bow? I was thinking about starting around Lake Sikome/Mckenzie Meadows golf course and head south for a few hours, just trying to figure out where to park a car.

onetwo_threefour · 07-17-2009, 05:19 PM

My older son and I go frequently. We start at the Blackfoot/17th bridge, there's a little road that goes down on the North Side of Blackfoot on the west side of the river there. (South of Pearce Estates Sanctuary downstream from the weir)

We usually float down to 22X (about 3h) unless the weather gets bad, then we'll stop at Glenmore (about an hour and a bit).

algernon · 07-17-2009, 09:30 PM

I thanked for the bump, and would like to thank the rest of the contributions.
I've always just gone down the Elbow, either from Sandy Beach, or just below the Dam, but maybe this year will try the Bow.

THANKS to all contributions.

Dan02 · 07-17-2009, 09:31 PM

looks like we're going rafting tomorrow, maybe we'll see you on the river.

STeeLy · 07-17-2009, 10:25 PM

Floated from Bowness down to Edworthy today... took like... 2 hours... need to go for a longer one!!!

bcb · 07-18-2009, 10:24 AM

Don't forget, no copulating on the shore. Those prudes in Elbow Park get sticky about that.

EDBTZ12 · 07-26-2009, 09:45 PM

I went rafting yesterday from stanley park to Inglewood and was just wondering if someone could tell me where the weir is? I never seen it on the way and was just curious to how far i was from it.

EDBTZ12 · 07-26-2009, 09:52 PM

also the water was pretty shallow and since it was my first time on Elbow i'd like to know if thats the norm for this time of year? any info is appreciated.

Mike Oxlong · 07-26-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDBTZ12

I went rafting yesterday from stanley park to Inglewood and was just wondering if someone could tell me where the weir is? I never seen it on the way and was just curious to how far i was from it.

The Weir is on the Bow river not the ELbow. It's right by the zoo. You can see it from Deerfoot right between the Memorial exit and Blackfoot/17th.

You should be pretty safe on the Elbow.

I have never personally floated the Elbow so I can't comment on water level consistency.

surferguy · 07-27-2009, 08:07 AM

I float the elbow all the time and yes the river starts to get shallow at this time of year. Usually May long weekend you can put in for your first float on the Elbow but by the first fo June, the rains come and the water rises and the ELbow is off limits for at least 2-3 weeks. Late June through now is optimal time for the elbow then it gets real slow and shallow. The Bow is the better option for later summer.

The reason the guys from Quebec went over the weir, was they were on the Bow just a couple of weeks after the spring floods. Their exit stratagy was to use the boom out in the water to real themselves to shore based on a suggestion from a friend who was taking them down the river. The boom was swept away in the floods and they ended up going over, one guy has never been found. They were in town for 3 days before this happened.