Skill Level: Intermediate
Distance: 80 km
Number of Days: 5-7
Route Description: The White River flows in a series of whitewater rapids and sweeping meanders to Lake Superior, just south of Marathon. It's a beautiful river that offers a pleasant mix of whitewater thrills, awe-inspiring waterfalls and wildlife-rich backwaters. Unfortunately, the White's thundering Umbatta Falls was recently harnessed for hydroelectricity.

Still, the White remains a solid choice for intermediate whitewater canoeists looking a river that can be run year-round. Beginning at White Lake Provincial Park (north of the town of White River on Highway 17), the river flows about 70 km to Lake Superior. From here, it's a 10 km paddle to Pukaskwa National Park's headquarters at Hattie Cove.

Portages on the White River are challenging, and several otherwise runnable class II rapids end in large waterfalls. The mouth of the White River can be treacherous when onshore winds and swell intersect with river current, and the section on Lake Superior demands the respect of all paddlers.
Maps and Guide Books: NTS (1:50,000) 42 C/12, 42 D/9
"A Paddler's Guide to Ontario" by Kevin Callan (Boston Mills Press)

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