CalChek

Class: III+ (IV), pushy and fast at high water
Character: medium volume pool-drop, many playspots
Season: spring-fall
Time: 1+ hrs (depends on play time)
Distance: 3 km
Gauge: at the put-in on Callaghan Cr are two gauges, one across the river: 3 = medium, gauge on old midstream bridge foundation: 2 dots showing = medium. Waterlevels of the Cheakamus River can be quite different.
Scenery: great, basalt pillars, great blue berries in late summer
Special hazards: Potential hazards are the 'weir', the canyon below the mandatory take-out and of course - wood.

Directions: From Vancouver take Hwy 99 to Whistler. About 40 km past Squamish, the Hwy crosses Callaghan Creek. The put-in is on the 'creek right' (South) and upstream side of this bridge. To get to the take-out turn off the Hwy about hundred meters North of the bridge (towards Whistler, follow sign to Cal-Cheak camp site). Follow a gravel road across the Cheakamus for approximately 3 km, past a gravel pit. A small side road turns off to the right and leads after about hundred meters to a dead end and parking area.

Description: At the right levels there is a nice playwave/hole just across from the put-in. Watch out for the 'weir' less than 1 km below the confluence of Callaghan and Cheakamus. It is an almost river wide ledge. Scout and/or portage on the right. Not far below you will see a 'double-house' rock with a permanent log pointing downstream (T-Rock). Preferred route is on the left. Stay well clear of the log. Further downstream follow a ledge on the left and two wave/holes. The first is V-wave - a great surf at the right levels. Get ready for the take-out on the left. At high water this can be challenging - there is not much room for error (literally). If you are new to the run, check out the take-out when you run the shuttle. Its only a short walk which can be combined with a survey of the canyon section below the take-out.