Kootenai River Paddling - Yaak River to Moyie River

August 3rd, 2006

Last Saturday I paddled from the Yaak River campground near Troy, Montana down to the Twin Rivers Canyon Resort where the Kootenai joins the Moyie. I used Paddle Routes of the Inland Northwest as my guide. Everything was accurate except the book said six hours to complete the trip and it only took me three. I was paddling steadily the entire time so that probably accounts for the difference--if you allowed the current to control your speed I wouldn't be surprised if it did take six hours.

This stretch of the Kootenai is definitely more scenic and remote than downriver towards Bonners Ferry. The entire trip is spent in a deep wooded canyon, with occasional wetlands along the shore and very few cabins or houses. The handful of cabins I did see were up on the ridge to the north. I did get out of the kayak to explore near the abandoned bridge at Leonia. I was looking for an abandoned graveyard, but in the end didn't have time to climb all the way up the ridge to find it.

There were a couple of rapids and strong whirlpools that required some skill, but I never felt in real danger of capsizing. The rapids at the head of the island past Leonia were the strongest. Incidentally, that island looked like an excellent place to camp. Next time hopefully my wife will let me take the camera!

Interested paddlers can get flow information here.