Kicking Horse River Rafting
Wild Bus Adventures is offering a full-day Rocky Mountain experience, including a scenic walk to Yoho's Wapta Falls and afternoon whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River. The tour finishes with a riverside BBQ, blending outdoor excitement with local flavors.
The Kicking Horse River gets its name from an 1858 incident when James Hector, a geologist with the Palliser Expedition, was kicked by his packhorse while exploring the river. Before this, the river was known by the Stoney First Nations name 'Wapta'. This waterway is a designated Canadian Heritage River, recognized for its natural, cultural, and recreational significance. It originates from the Wapta Icefield in Yoho National Park and is fed by glacial meltwater, which gives the water a distinct turquoise color. The river offers a range of rapids classified on a scale from Class 1 (easy) to Class 5 (nearly impossible). Rafters can experience various sections, including the Upper Canyon with Class 1-3 rapids, the more challenging Middle Canyon with Class 2-4 rapids, and the expert-level Lower Canyon known for its intense Class 4 and 5 rapids. Commercial rafting trips often navigate the Upper and Middle Canyons, which feature a continuous stretch of exciting whitewater with rapids named ManEater and Roller Coaster. The journey covers approximately 20 kilometers through stunning Rocky Mountain landscapes. The scenic walk to Wapta Falls offers a view of the river's largest waterfall. Wapta Falls is approximately 30 meters (98 feet) high and an impressive 150 meters (490 feet) wide. The hike to the falls is about 2.4 kilometers on a relatively flat trail.
