OUTLAW EAGLE MANUFACTURING

Arthur · Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2018 8:33 pm Post subject: Drayton Valley to the dam

Can I get some feed back on this trip such as...

Miles to Rocky from DV
Miles to the dam from Rocky
Water levels in early July
Points of interest
Good overnight spots
Parking at the DV launch...safe?

I know the last 15 miles or so get interesting. Really any info at all would be appreciated. Thanks!

BMC · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 11:59 am Post subject:

Following, I have been thinking of this trip as well. Also, where is everyone going in the picture posted??

BMC · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 3:10 pm Post subject:

Drayton to Rocky - 85 Miles (Drayton to rustic River resort -70 Miles)
Rocky to the dam - 85 Miles as well.

Give or take a few, I have not done the trip myself, google earth'd it.

Arthur · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 3:32 pm Post subject:

Pic is from last years Brule lake trip...just up from Hinton on the Athabasca

Thanks

Toddco · Joined: 30 Aug 2011 Posts: 23

While in Brule Lake i hope you took the time to do the 10 minute walk into Ogre Canyon. Awesome in there, especially on a hot day!

Dubya450 · Joined: 21 Apr 2017 Posts: 6 Location: Drayton Valley

Your mileages are pretty accurate, Drayton to rocky i GPS last year was 80 miles. i haven't GPS rocky to dam, once past saunders the river gets fun and there is a long shallow stretch that fingers out. water levels past saunders area are very consistent due to the fact the dam regulates the flow.

Drayton to rocky is simple trip with lots of places to pull over and camp. fishing is usually very consistent. Once you get up passed the brazeau the river gets more twisty and turny with some side channels to play on. River is usually nice and clean.

Leaving your vehicle and such in drayton at wiley west campground is completely safe, just talk to the campground if staying overnight .

sheep · Joined: 01 Jul 2011 Posts: 44

I live on the river between rocky and the dam and travel down to the brazeau frequently. Don't over think or worry about your trip its really very straight forward. Camp sites are all over, the only places that are not good are along the private land which is mostly close to rocky. How many days are you thinking? If it where me planning it I would say cruise for about 5hrs, should put you upstream of private land around rocky. Camp the night there and leave your camp. Then the next day you could run up to the dam, you will be lighter for the braided water from the gap to the dam. Return to camp that night and head back to drayton the following day.

I disagree a little with a previous post about water levels. When below the gap you really don't need to worry about anything unless you happen to hit the one day a year the dam is shut right down, which Shallow Draft usually warns us about on here (thanks for that). Above the gap through the braided water it really depends on the dam flow, Ive seen major fluctuations in a matter of minutes. Theres nothing else feeding the river at that point so the dam controls it all. One day last summer on the way up water was normal, on the way down it was up over a foot easy, covering most of the islands. I also camped in the gap once and awoke to my boat 10ft from water, wasn't till noon that it was floating again.

There will be no cell service for most of your trip, only near rocky. Usually quite busy with floaters above rocky, not as bad below.

feel free to ask me anything else I might be able to help with.

Tunnel Vision · Joined: 21 Jul 2014 Posts: 66 Location: Edmonton

Roughly how many hour to run from Drayton to the Brazeau.

Thanks

sheep · Joined: 01 Jul 2011 Posts: 44

I only ever ran that stretch once, but if I remember correctly its about 30-35miles, so an hr or so.

Tunnel Vision · Joined: 21 Jul 2014 Posts: 66 Location: Edmonton

Thanks, I appreciate feedback.

Have a great day, and safe boating!!

Arthur · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 6:42 am Post subject:

Thanks for the help guys...were doing it early July. If your out and about stop in our camp for a beer.

BMC · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 12:52 pm Post subject:

So will you be launching from Drayton then Arthur?

Arthur · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 8:00 pm Post subject:

Yes...that is the plan

BMC · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 8:03 pm Post subject:

Sounds good. Offer still stands for parking if your in the area ever. Hope to see you out there.

Arthur · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:00 am Post subject:

Thanks man