The map draws the full river. This route covers a section of it; the description says which.
The Rouge Chien Blanc section represents an expert-level route with extreme whitewater challenges including documented R6 rapids, making it one of the most technical sections on the Rouge system. Based on the difficulty ratings provided, this route features wilderness paddling requiring skilled whitewater canoeists and kayakers, with multiple class III-IV rapids and at least one extremely difficult R6 drop that may require portaging. Set in the Rouge-Matawin Wildlife Reserve environment, this remote section demands expert-level skills, safety equipment, and preferably group paddling with experienced leaders. Limited public information suggests this is a specialized route known mainly within expert paddling circles. Best attempted during optimal water conditions in mid-summer.
The document describes 16. The map shows 2, because it only places rapids a national survey publishes a coordinate for. The two counts measure different things.
| Rapid | Class | Portage | Surveyor's note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steep Throat | R3-4 | yes rive gauche | At km 12.5, even in low water it's a solid S4 threshold with rolling waves that risk boat flipping. Best portaged on left to continue on route and bridge. Gentle slope passage of Steep Throat softens the approach but it's still a solid R3 technical rapid. Some would qualify it as R3-4. Presence of traces from old dam doesn't seem to have left cutting obstacles in the river. |
| Les Rouleaux | S2 | Downstream of Steep Throat, to the right of a rocky island, a threshold S2 locally called 'Les Rouleaux' where it is possible to practice surfing downstream of the small threshold even in tandem canoe. This, near a natural sandy rest area between large rocks. On the left, the passage is very 'gratte-canot' in low water. Passage possible in medium water. | |
| Rapide du Chien Blanc | R3 | Even in low water, the waves are strong. On the right, there is an S3 threshold in the rapid. On the left the slope is more uniform. Contrary to another survey made in 2019, we did not find a wave to surf on the other playspot in this 45 m³/s rapid. You have to see if there are places to surf. | |
| Rapide McVicar | R2-3 | On the left of the island R2-3. On the right of the island, it appeared to us more congested but also R2-3. Probably runnable in medium water on the right. | |
| Rapide Bodysurf #1 | Invisible lors de notre relevé | Invisible during our survey, apparently that in slightly higher water it is formidable like Bodysurf rapid #2. | |
| Rapide Bodysurf #2 | R2 | Two islands delimit this rapid. On the left the rapid named Bodysurf #2 allows in low water to practice maneuvers near a sandy beach against cross-currents. In the center between the two islands, the water is too shallow in low water. Apparently it passes in higher water. | |
| Rapide Familial | R2-3 | yes gauche | First a R2-3 presenting the interest of numerous cross-currents behind rocks and possibilities of backpaddles, it becomes towards the end R3 with the same characteristics. At the end one can exit on the left in the bay where there is a sandy beach and take a break before portaging one's craft to Propulsion Rafting, since the parking is close along the route. |
| R3 | R3 | yes rive gauche | At km 6 |
| R1 | R1 | yes | Below R3 |
| R6 Rapide de la Table | R6 | yes rive gauche | Major rapid at around km 8 |
| Rapide Bodysurf #2 | yes rive gauche | Bodysurf rapid | |
| R2 Rapide Bodysurf #1 | R2 | yes rive gauche | Présence de débris selon le débit |
| Rapide McVicar R2-3 | R2-3 | ||
| R3 S3 (P) | R3 | yes | Around km 12 |
| S2-3 (1 km) S4 (2m) | S2-3 | 1km section with 2m drop S4 | |
| R2 R3 (1m) | R2-R3 R2-3 | 1m drop |
This table publishes no position for any rapid. Where a surveyor's note mentions a kilometre, those are their words quoted as written, and the figure was read off a scanned map: use it to follow their description, not to navigate. Most of these surveys were written in French.
Surveyed by Nicolas Boisclair, 2021-06. RougeChienBlancBoisclair2021.pdf
The document describes 2 portage(s).
| Portage | Length | Bank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steep Throat portage on left side | not stated | rive gauche | Portage done by left route |
| From Rapid Familial to Propulsion Rafting parking | 500 m | gauche |
The document describes 3 campsite(s).
Rouge - Chien Blanc River is rated Advanced. Whitewater ratings are not exact: grades change with water level and season. Verify current conditions locally before you paddle.
The best time is July-August.
Rouge - Chien Blanc River is located in the Laurentides region of Canada.
cartespleinair.org · americanwhitewater.org · newworld.ca · propulsion.ca
Conditions change with water level and season. Grades and positions are for planning, not navigation. Verify locally before you paddle. Terms of use
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