Rouge
4) Les Sept Sœurs (Chutes) - (Seven Sisters)
| Difficulty | III-IV(V+) |
| Length | 0 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | February 2, 2025 |
The Seven Sisters of the Rouge is the classic and most famous section. Depending upon water level the
character changes greatly. At low and medium levels the upper is class III. At medium-high and above
class IV. At very high levels it approaches class V in difficulty. The gorge section with the waterfalls
is class V at all times.
The name 'Seven Sisters' is a bit of a misnomer. The name dates from before the river was used for
whitewater rafting and boating. The 'sisters' refer to a number of rapids and waterfalls, some of which
are above the 'usual' whitewater section (Sister McNeil—Just below the gage), or in the middle (Sister
Elizabeth) of the run.
The name may refer to the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa (Les Soeurs de la Charité d'Ottawa), (also known
as the Gray Nuns), founded by Sister Élisabeth Bruyère in 1845.
A local legend says: 'At the beginning of colonization, Amerindians [Native Americans] descending the
Red River in a canoe would have been caught in the rapids and were therefore doomed to drown. On
the bank there were seven nuns who by their prayers succeeded in raising the canoe and transporting
it to a safer place, which saved the lives of these men.'
Put on above Propulsion Rafting near a bus-turnaround lot. Do *not* park in the bus turn-around area
or risk your car being towed. Park instead at Camping Vallée de la Rivière-Rouge (a few hundred yards
downstream of a river-wide waterfall). Or put-in further upstream where the road runs along the river.
The first difficult rapid in this section is a III+/IV rapid (Chute Elizabeth) and consists of two tight class IV
drops forming an S-turn. After that is 'Slice-N-Dice','The Mushroom', the 'Washing Machine' and 'Dryer'.
Finally towards the bottom is the gorge with the six waterfalls. Only extreme boaters run the falls (to the
enj
...
The gage rock across from Propulsion Rafting has an orange line at the 150 cms rafting cutoff level.
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Most paddlers incorrectly assume the seven sisters refer to the waterfalls near the bottom of this section. However there are only really four-to-six waterfalls (depending upon how you count—two of the waterfalls are double-drops). The waterfalls are considered the 'main event' for advanced paddlers and are what give this section it's reputation.
There is a portage trail around the waterfalls on river-right. There is no takeout available here, if you paddle the river you must either run the waterfalls or portage. Half-way down the portage trail (just below Drops 4-5) you have the option of lowering your boat down the cliff and paddling a short distance to Drop 6 and portaging on river-left.
Most paddlers incorrectly assume the seven sisters refer to the waterfalls near the bottom of this section. However there are only really four-to-six waterfalls (depending upon how you count—two of the waterfalls are double-drops). The waterfalls are considered the 'main event' for advanced paddlers and are what give this section it's reputation.
There is a portage trail around the waterfalls on river-right. There is no takeout available here, if you paddle the river you must either run the waterfalls or portage. Half-way down the portage trail (just below Drops 4-5) you have the option of lowering your boat down the cliff and paddling a short distance to Drop 6 and portaging on river-left.
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Second of the double-drop waterfalls in the gorge. This is mid-point along the portage trail.
