Canoeing The North Saskatchewan River - Bighorn Dam To Forestry Trunk Road

[@Coldheart1903]

Excellent video very enjoyable and calming seeing all the natural beauty...👍

[@nickharland3795]

Thank you very much. Yes it is a very scenic and quiet section of river. Take care.

[@t.w.milburn8264]

Great Navigating this one, Nick. Sad someone lost a canoe. Sure had the wind at your back. Thanks for sharing anlther great trip. ATB Terry God Bless

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks Terry. Yeah I think it was a rental canoe. So somebody had to pay a much higher fee than they initially thought. But at least nobody was hurt. I talked to a wildlife officer after, and he knew about that canoe. For me, it was a great day trip. Just wish the sun was shining a bit more. Take care Terry. Nick

[@t.w.milburn8264]

Nick Harland Glad ya shared what happened. Let's wax up them paddles & head out !

[@billywaldner3163]

Nice videos Nick. Have done the Nordegg to Rocky run 5 times now and nice to see it in your videos. Hit a section before Saunders Ledge 3 weeks back and got sucked under the water, not a good feeling but otherwise made her safely.

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks Billy. Yeah the water was pretty high a few weeks ago, I read about a few groups capsizing between the dam and Nordegg, and also near Saunders. Glad you made it out safely. Did you swim through Saunders Ledge?

[@billywaldner3163]

We were one of the groups that the RCMP had to help out. Hit a section before the ledge and floated through the ledge. Canoe was to heavy so had to let it go and it wound up 2 hours downstream. She was rough didn't get to shore till past Saunders Campground.

[@CanoeingTheEdgeOfTheWorld]

That looks like a wild area. I've watched a lot of videos by GRS Riverrider and he's up in Saskatchewan also. Makes me want to get back up north before I get any older. Great video!

[@nickharland3795]

Yeah it is pretty wild in this stretch of river, makes for a very nice trip. I like GRS Riverrider too, he is one province to the east of me in Saskatchewan. The province takes it's name from the river. It would be great if you could get up here for a trip, just like I hope to paddle some U.S. river too. Thanks for taking the time, take care.

[@CanoeingTheEdgeOfTheWorld]

@@nickharland3795I found his videos pretty early when I began canoeing about 4 years ago and have enjoyed them ever since. He shows his face but doesn't talk while you talk but don't show your face. Or maybe you do. I've only watched 3 of your videos so far but I just discovered your excellent channel yesterday. You Canadians are a hearty lot when it comes to canoeing. My dream canoe is a 16' Nova Craft Prospector in Tuffstuff. If I can ever get up to Canada I'm going to spend half my time looking at all the great canoes you folks make. We have some great paddling down here in Florida but everyone's in a kayak these days. If you can make it to Central Florida I'll show you some great places to explore.

[@nickharland3795]

Haha, yeah I prefer to hide behind the camera for the most part. Nova Craft definitely make excellent canoes. Tuffstuff seems pretty bullet-proof.

[@nibimocs]

Thanks for taking us on another beautiful trip. Loved the color of the water before the Bighorn River joined up. Reminded me a lot of where the White River joins the Yukon... it's a whole different river downstream from there. Larry

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks Larry. Yeah I drove over a bridge about 100 miles down river, the evening before, and the water looked silty brown. So I was expecting it. Snow pack is melting higher up, so the water isn't always pretty, but the flows are nice. I much prefer it running blue the whole way. I'd love to paddle the Yukon River someday. Looks amazing up there. Thanks again, take care.

[@nibimocs]

I paddled the Upper Yukon (Whitehorse to Dawson) in '05. Awesome trip. Wish I'd been able to video it at the time.

[@jimhanson7476]

Hi Nick. There was quite a pace the the water , and lots of it. Great trip... Thx jim

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks Jim. Yeah it's a flat section of river, but still has a pretty quick pace for much of it. A nice half-day paddle. Thanks, take care. Nick.

[@potatothorn]

BLUE waters wow...interesting that it gets muddy in places.. i see a bike tire on there, do you ride your bike back to your car? that's quite a full day! im half way thru wondering if you will beat the weather ! ... looks pretty rough there around 13:05 ... clouds just keep getting darker.. such a cool scene. stopping on a tiny island i love it.. and you beat the rain.. Great Video i feel like i am there thanks so much for this

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks very much. Yeah the water is quite blue up there, spring run-off can change it to brown very quickly though. I use my bike as a vehicle shuttle for canoe day-trips. I drop the canoe and gear at the start, drive truck to the finish, and then bike back to the canoe. With the tires detached, the bike fits in the canoe. Works very well. It wasn't a bright sunny day like I was hoping, but still warm and made for a nice paddle. And yes, just beat the rain. Thanks again, take care.

[@potatothorn]

you do the bike ride first- nice plan, much easier

[@wyopobo5339]

Hey Nick. great video. That looks like a big river, high water. Beautiful colour to the water upstream from the Bighorn. another enjoyable trip...

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks Martin. Yeah it seemed to be flowing pretty good, the current is pretty swift for much of it. I was disappointed to see the river change color so completely, but the added flow was nice too. Thanks again, take care.

[@themiwoodsman7222]

Nice trip Nick ! looked a little tricky for a while and ya beat out the rain by the looks of it ! thanks for sharing really enjoyed atb john

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks John. Yeah it was a fun trip, scenic paddling with a few tricky spots. It started raining while I was loading the canoe on to the truck, worked out almost perfectly. Glad you enjoyed. Thanks, take care John. Nick

[@SavaAdventures]

Great scenary my friend....very nice natural environment !!!! Likee

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks very much. Yes I enjoy this area very much. My favorite place to canoe and hike. Take care.

[@albertarooftoptenters]

Awesome as always. Looking forward to a 3 day trip from Rocky Mountain House to Drayton in June.

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks very much. Yeah RMH to Drayton is a very nice section. Perfect distance for a three day river trip. Abraham's Gate is a nice spot for lunch, or a quick break. Enjoy.

[@rialobran]

I look forward to your videos, every inch filmed is a panoramic feast for the eyes. Good call getting out to work out a route, nothing lost but time....I suspect there is an ex-red canoe owner wishing he'd done the same. :)

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks very much, I appreciate that a lot. It's a beautiful area, I just turn on the camera, and try not to bugger it up:) Yeah trees are my biggest fear, and that particular spot is clogged more times than not. I think the red canoe was a rental. A now very expensive rental. Thanks again, take care.

[@sortavala]

Seems challenging find way out from labyrinth in 13:00. :D There is also flood right now? We had great time last weekend. About 21-22km canoeing and wild white water canoeing too. Video is coming soon. ;)

[@nickharland3795]

Yeah it was a little tricky for a time. Just have to take it slow, and look for the best route. The river definitely had pretty good flow, should get even higher in the next month or two. Great to hear Asko, looking forward to the video. Sounds exciting. Thanks, take care.

[@sosteve9113]

nice open space,awesome views awesome

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks Steve. Yeah it's a very wide valley along that section of river. A very nice trip. Take care.

[@manicheanwarrior8589]

Thanks again.

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks to you Sir. Glad you could come along.

[@dansallsadventurersinlife4311]

great video my friend

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks Dan. I really like that stretch of river. Will have to check out your camp spot in there sometime.

[@savedpurplecat]

You must have been tired out at the end of that one Nick. The colour of the river at the beginning was incredible mate. I take it the trees can puncture your kayak? :) Tim

[@nickharland3795]

Yeah it was my first bike ride of the year, and my legs were pretty sore the next day. Slept like a baby that night. Yeah if a canoe or kayak gets pinned against something, filled with water, and then has the river pushing against it. It's very likely to puncture, or even fold in half. Never a good situation. Thanks very much Tim. Take care. Nick

[@williamjhanson]

Hey Nick! Doing the Nordegg to RMH run this up coming weekend. Water levels should fall within the safe zone(I hope) but still be quite high. Just wondering about your opinion of this stretch with faster water. First time doing it but know the run well enough from a map and guide and your videos. I have a lot of paddling experience and am confident I can avoid any of the bigger rollers quite well. Just looking for some advice as you are the only person I know of that does this stretch. Thanks!

[@nickharland3795]

Hi William. Yeah it's quite high now, and fast with plenty of debris. I hope the flow eases up a bit before your trip. Any flow that is around 300 cm/s or above is where the water can get quite fast and rough. Not to mention dirty brown. Shoreline is also not as accessible. But still a doable trip. Really cuts down on paddling time too. The ARCA map is very accurate, note the locations of the rapids, and Saunder's Ledge. There are a few sections where waves and rough water can't be avoided. Just back-paddle to slow the canoe down, and ride them out. I'm sure it'll be fine, and I hope the weather is good for you. Enjoy!!

[@paulkerby4829]

I couldn’t stand it I would have to go over and check out that swamped canoe

[@nickharland3795]

Haha, yeah it was in a tricky spot. It would be interesting to see up close. Thanks Paul, take care.

[@Gerri69]

So glad I found your channel. Love the videos!

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks very much Gerri. I'm glad you are liking them, it's much appreciated. Thanks for subscribing too, take care.

[@oldredcoonhound2182]

Abraham lake, and river both look pretty Low. You could have salvage rights to that other canoe LOL. That is quite a bike ride from the bridge back to the highway at nordegg isn't it.

[@nickharland3795]

Yeah the lake is really low, filling up slowly. The river seemed to be flowing pretty good, Bighorn River added some volume too. I could see a number on the bow of that red canoe, a very, very expensive rental, lol. After biking about 1 km up the hill, a truck pulled up from behind. A nice couple gave me a ride to the top of the hill, where I continued and biked the rest of the way. Saved my legs for sure.

[@oldredcoonhound2182]

it is a dangerous, windy road you never know what's coming around the next corner. I have met a few idiots flying along. I drive out a few weeks ago, for a break. found all the creeks were still froze. Thanks for the video

[@nickharland3795]

Going down to the bridge is super fun, assuming no crazy drivers. I'll bike up it one day. Thanks for watching, maybe I'll see you out there someday.

[@bohrerbros7555]

Nice video Nick. I noticed you had a bike in the canoe, did you do any biking after the canoeing?

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks very much. I use my bike as a vehicle shuttle. After parking my truck at the finish, I ride my bike up to the dam (to where I stashed my canoe and gear earlier). Then load the bike into the canoe, and I'm good to go.

[@danawick9817]

so you paddle 25km then ride your bike back the 25 or 30k to pick up your truck?? how long does that take great vid hope we can paddle sometime

[@nickharland3795]

Yeah some trips I drive to the start and drop my canoe there. Then drive to the finish, park my truck, and ride my bike back to the canoe. This trip was probably 1.5 hrs of biking, and about 4 hrs in the canoe. I'm usually pretty tired by the end, but it's the most affordable way to do it. Thanks for watching Dana.

[@ivaradic]

Wonderful!!! All the best to you!!! like22!!

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks very much. Glad you liked it. I appreciate it, thanks. Take care.

[@riptide8085]

I noticed you have a Clipper canoe. Is it fibreglass or something lighter? I have the Scout model would it be suitable for a trip like this? Thanks.

[@nickharland3795]

Hello David. It is the kevlar/duraflex Prospector 16'. Weighs about 60 lbs. There is no real whitewater on this 25 km stretch, but there can be lots of sweepers and strainers. Some maneuvering may be required. I have no experience with the Scout, but I'm sure it would work just fine. Especially if you are day tripping and not loaded with gear. Thanks, take care.

[@kbendle1556]

Sure a lot of trees in the water. Will have to keep that in mind when I take my inflatable down.

[@nickharland3795]

Yeah it starts and ends, clear and easy. In the middle sections, after the Bighorn River enters, there are definitely a few spots to watch for. Thanks for watching, and have fun paddling.

[@bobparsons77]

Nick..where do you buy your maps..Maptown??

[@nickharland3795]

Yeah I've bought a few from Maptown. MEC, Totem Outfitters, and most other sports/camping stores will have some too.

[@jayda9713]

What model clipper are you paddling?

[@nickharland3795]

Hi, it's a Clipper Prospector 16'. Kevlar/duraflex lay-up, 60 lbs. I absolutely love it. Thanks, take care.

[@davidthompsoncountry9550]

That is a great trip and excellent footage.

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks very much. Yeah it's a really nice day trip.

[@toddbushcrafter2530]

the video is awesome. the videos would be even better if you would talk more.....we would love to hear you talk....even if it is just you rambling on. take care....

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks very much Todd. Some people think I talk too much in the videos, haha... but I'll try and work on it. I appreciate the tip. Thanks for taking the time to watch. Take care.

[@imbezol]

Great video! Hoping to get onto the North Saskatchewan within the next couple weeks here myself! BTW, it looks like a bear here on the left: That almost looks like a bear at kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4Dci6imd9qBa5om3s

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks very much. Yeah she's flowing nicely, canoeing season is in full swing now. Haha, yeah it does initially look like a black bear. It would be an interesting place for him to hang out. Thanks again, maybe I'll see you on the river one of these times. Take care.

[@BrodyToYou]

Well done!

[@nickharland3795]

Thanks very much. And thanks for taking the time.