Ogre Canyon
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| | Raps:10, max ↨82ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:High Clearance Rock type:Limestone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 14 Jun 2026
"Great canyon! Strong flow under the main waterfall, no hydraulic hazards. Other rappels no flow problems. It was a warm and sunny day, but inside the |
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| Best season: | May-October
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53.2434, -117.8845
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Waterflow
Introduction
Ogre Canyon is a water-based canyon with numerous waterfall rappels which offers those seeking adventure the perfect opportunity to step outside their comfort zone. A short approach hike of approximately 30 minutes (100m elevation gain) will lead you through spectacular scenery to the rim of the canyon, which is tucked into a small silver of land between the first range of the Rockies and Brule Lake. Once you descend inside, you will make your way down approximately 8 rappels with the highest descent being around 25 meters. The highlight of the day is the infamous ‘Turbowash’. About half way down this impressive drop, a waterfall feeds in from above, providing the ultimate rush.
Approach
The approach road is varying quality depending on recent rain. Sometimes, a 2wd low clearance vehicle might make it. Other times, a 4wd high-clearance truck may struggle. In general, the 8km dirt-road approach get worse as the farther you go. There are a few turnaround points, though not many, and getting unstuck out here would be a fair effort. If in doubt, part your vehicle and walk! It's all flat.
Once at the trailhead, it's best to walk up the exit trail and check the flow at the outflow of the canyon. From here, there's a great trail that cuts inland from the stream, heading southeast, to intersect with the short, steep trail up the limestone ridge. Once on top, there is a short cave to rappel 25m into 100m south.
Follow the ridge north for around ten minutes. You'll cross a side stream flowing into the canyon where you can again see the flow. Continue up along the canyon ridge for another ten minutes or so until the trail along the ridge obvious ends and you can do a short handline into the canyon.
Descent
Start by exploring upcanyon for a few minutes before descending.
There are around 10 rappels up to about 27 meters, all with excellent bolts.
The crux is the 'Turbo-wash' rappel (cover photo) in the middle, rappel directly under the flow of the magnificent waterfall coming in from the side. This rappel can be intense! You'll have to awkwardly rappel down a slope through a boulder pinch while getting sprayed, then pass directly under the thundering torrent and down a short drop into a chest-deep pool. Visibility for this part is poor due to crazy amounts of spray!
After this rappel, there is a right away another drop of around 20m along the flow. There are bolt options on left and right, although the right-side bolts are very high and hard to reach. Depending on the flow, the left bolts may entirely avoid rappelling in the waterfall.
All other rappels are small or easy.
Exit
Follow the trail along the stream back to your vehicle on the approach road.
Red tape
No red tape for the canyon. But bear in mind that the first 3km of the approach road is private property and you're not supposed to camp in this section.
Beta sites
Canyoning in the Canadian Rockies
Trip reports and media
YouTube 2023-05-14 Beta in video description
A Spring Descent of Ogre Canyon
Teen Hiker's body recovered from canyon