Arrive Friday evening at Ireland’s property ( We are 35 kms east of Red Deer on Hwy #11 on the Red Deer River ) and set up camp. ( A big meadow with group shelter and firepit- no potable water or services so campers must be self sufficient, just an outhouse ) Tents, trailers, RV’s are welcome.
Saturday morning we shuttle about 15 minutes drive west to put-in at Joffre Bridge on Hwy#11 and begin paddle at 10 a.m. -paddling 30 kms through the scenic Parkland back to Irelands’. This will take 5 to 6 hrs with breaks, depending on river flow. It is Class 1 with 3 or 4 Class 1+ riffles, depending on flow…a wonderful trip for families and novices. We will then retrieve the vehicles we left at Joffre bridge parking lot on Hwy #11 before they lock the gate ( by 8 p.m?)… Possibility of a pot-luck or BBQ for Sat. evening supper. Another night of camping. Important Note: we will leave boats down on the river’s edge at Irelands’ and have to walk up a trail to reach the campsite in the meadow. It is a 250′ elevation gain on a good path and about half a mile. I am able to assist if necessary with my truck or quad and trailer but do not want people driving down. Let me know if you will need assistance.
Sunday morning we shuttle some vehicles to Content Bridge on Hwy #11, which is again about a 15 minute drive further east. Last year they charged $10 vehicle to park (to be determined ) Starting again at 10 a.m., we paddle from Ireland’s to Content Bridge. ( 20 kms, 3-5 hrs. depending on your pace. ) This part of the river is slower with a couple of small riffles. Historically, by the end of July it is getting low and slow.
This trip will be a joint event between BWCC and CEYANA Canoe Club from Edmonton. We are happy to have Mark Lund of “Mark’s Guide for Alberta’s Paddlers” join us on this trip with some of his fellow members!