Distance: 8.7 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Raft, kayak or float - Easy terrain
Altitude: 376m to 410m. Gain: 85m. Loss: 51m . Gradient: 1 deg (Flat)
Skills: - Raft, kayak or swim/float (6/6)

Raft, kayak or float (9/9)
Watercourse navigated by craft: raft, kayak or swim/float

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Flat (difficulty: 1/5)
Flat

Easy (difficulty: 1/5)
Grass / prepared surface

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

Raft, kayak or swim/float (difficulty: 6/6)
Watercourse not crossable on foot. Water craft (raft, kayak or float) required

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

Upriver travel not possible in unpowered craft or on foot.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Rafting / kayaking route down the Waimakariri. The gorge is not navigable on foot.

Class 2 with occasional borderline 3 when running at typical flows (75-100 cumecs). Flow can be checked at:

https://www.ecan.govt.nz/data/riverflow/sitedetails/66442

The salmon Creek confluence is obvious coming down river - the only major creek joining from the east since the start if the gorge.