Babine-Skeena

Class: III-IV
Character: Babine (80km): gravel bed and pool-drop, approx. 5-7,000 cfs at medium flows. Skeena (50km): big volume (40,000-35,000 cfs).
Season: late Summer and Fall
Time: 4 days (3-5)
Distance: 130 km
Gauge: none on Babine, Skeena: BC water level page
Scenery: great - high mountain peaks, dense forest, great wild life.
Special hazards: Remoteness (no road access for first 80 km on Babine), grizzlys, wood, fishing gear in Kisgegas Narrows.

Directions: Base for the trip is Smithers, BC, 1100 km (and about 13 hrs) north of Vancouver. If you want a shuttle, call Aquabatics in Smithers (250)847-3678 - they may be able to arrange something for you.
From Smithers take gravel roads past Fort Babine and to the outlet of Nilkitkwa Lake (1.5 hrs). The put-in is just below a fish-counting weir. Take-out is at Kispiox. Check out the totem poles in the village. Return to Smithers 80 km (1 hr).

Description: Mellow ripples through dense forest for the first 1,5 days to a ranch with airstrip. Look for fossils at Gail Creek. After Gail Creek some steep gravel bar drops with big waves and holes (class III-IV-). River enters canyon section and campsites are sparse. On the 3rd day come the exciting rapids: 'Grizzly Drop' (IV) has a defined horizon line, hole and possibly grizzlys. Shortly after this follow 'Sphincter 1' and 'Sphincter 2' (both IV) - 'Sphincter 2' has an undercut in the left (main) channel. About 2 hrs after 'Sphincter 2', watch for fishing gear and lines in 'Kisgegas Narrows' - a swirly, tight and long drop (III-IV) which continues below the bridge. The river calms further downstream until the confluence with the Skeena. Don't fall asleep, there are some pretty big drops on the Skeena, with big surf waves and even bigger holes.