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DESTINATIONS
The Thelon and Elk Rivers
Real Fun Paddling!
By Bill Layman
Dinner
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Anywhere else the last lake before Granite Falls would have a name. Perhaps Emerald Lake, or Golden Sand Lake, or some other name that would vainly attempt to describe its beauty. From this lake follows a few hours of wild rapids leading to what Lynda and I felt was the highlight of the Elk River: Granite Falls. A narrow series of S-turns confining the full force of the Elk into a canyon carved from soft red-brown granite—the colours more reminiscent of the mesas of Arizona and New Mexico than the tundra. Camping here overnight, we hiked the canyon and marveled at the ever-changing colours of the rock walls as the sun lowered on the horizon and peregrine falcons wheeled high overhead.
The shallow, fast, and rock studded river past Damant Lake is a lot of fun if you have strong slower than current skills (front and back ferries) and are comfortable in 2+ rapids. With only one short (less than one-half-mile) mandatory portage on river right at UTM 6882N / 13-4825E and a mandatory variable length portage on river right at Granite Falls this is a relatively easy river. We lined river left at two spots (UTM 68764N / 13-4865E and 69185N / 13-5060E) and ran well over 20 rapids that were just plain fun. Only once did I get that gut-wrenching feeling that one likes to avoid on any remote trip. This was just after Golden Sand Lake where the river starts again as it races through its last few miles to Granite Falls. Just above the second rapid that we lined (we lined the top half and ran the bottom from river left to center) we ran a tight left hand corner on the inside without scouting. Everything worked out just fine but this is a real pushy corner and what shows up as you slide around it is an"in-your-face" mile of big white water. Failing to make this corner would leave you in a bad spot with a long nasty swim.
It is worth noting that if you can't catch trout and grayling on the Elk, "You ain't gonna' catch 'em nowhere son!" - the bottom of each of the myriad of rapids are packed with gorgeous firm-fleshed lake trout and the shimmering iridescent hues of grayling. Large pike also abound.
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