Whether it is the heatwave of summer or the deep freeze of winter floating or skiing the 12 km stretch between the Cynthia Bridge and the Easyford Park on the Pembina River is an experience for that backyard bucket list.
Distance 12 km
Float time 8hrs – 10hrs
Getting there
From Drayton Valley you take Hwy 22 north, and turn west onto Hwy 621. About 1 km beyond RR 85 you will come upon the Pembina River Bridge on the Cynthia Highway. Just before the bridge on the south side of the road there is a small parking lot. There are no designated access points to the trail. Accessing on cross the highway on the north side is doable but this is a busy highway and westbound vehicles are not easily seen until they have crested the hill on the approach to the bridge.
The float
Although the speed of the river will ultimately determine how fast you will complete the float it is pretty safe to plan for a minimum of 8 hrs on the river. This is actual float time not including your commute, or stops on a river bank.
It is important to plan for a long stretch on the river because although there are private dwellings along the river there are no public exit points until you reach the Easyford Park access trail.
A few other things to note, you will never have enough fluids so pack extra. The chips will be gone at least two hours before you are supposed to get out and there are no garbage bins along the river so pack out what you bring in.
The Pembina River is really windy and so do not gauge your time on the water by the amount of time it takes to drive to the campground.
As someone who grew up in the area and knowing the neighbours, many people are quite willing to help a stranded floater in need however, it is important to note that these people are not living there to be river rescue lifeguards and so it is on you to pack appropriately and to also be respectful of the community that calls the river their backyard. Loud talking, and loud music are amplified through the river valley and can be a nuisance.
Getting off the river
Once you turn the corner that heads to the access trail, you will have at least a 20 minute approach time to get yourself sorted and properly situated to exit the river. The exit point at Easyford Park is shallow near the bank and an easy pull up to the trail. The trail steep and with a heavy load can be a drag to pull up from, also if it has rained the trail can be slippery. Finally, the campground is reserved for private bookings and so when you get out you will have to walk your boats and floaties around the perimeter of the campground to the publicly accessed ball diamonds.
These people have paid good money to have access to the campground, they are not obliged to let you meander through with all of your floating gear, keep this in mind.
What you need to bring – the bare necessities:
- Water
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Water shoes
- Waterproof container
- Paddle (an old flip flop is pretty effective but slow)
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