The usual runs
The playspots
Multiday trips

 

Disclaimer:
There is no guarantee for accuracy of information, road conditions, water levels or your paddling skills! River conditions change constantly. By using the information on this web site, you accept all risks involved in river activities and you assume full responsibility for your own safety.

Comments, corrections and new contributions are always welcome.

 

The usual runs (and some new additions)

For a start, I'm working on runs which are not mentioned in local guidebooks.
Click here for guide books of the area.

Don't look here for impressive waterfalls or tales of stunning first decents. The runs described are generally in the class III-IV range and for intermediate/advanced paddlers who want to explore some new and less travelled rivers.

Vancouver
Capilano III; spring and after rain
Seymour, Lower II; spring and after rain
Seymour, Upper II(III) ; spring and after rain
Seymour, Canyon IV(V)
Lynn III-IV: after rain - movie at low water level (RealMedia Player, 3 MB)
Coquitlam III(IV) only after heavy rain

Fraser Valley
Chilliwack 'Beginner Float' I and II
Chilliwack ' Below Pointe Vista' II (III)
Chilliwack 'Below Slesse' III (IV)
Chilliwack 'Canyon - Below Camp Folley' IV
Chilliwack 'Below Post Creek' III
Slesse III(IV)
Chehalis III(IV)
Statlu III(IV)
Statlu 'Bridge 4 to 3' III (IV)
Coquihalla III(IV)

Fraser Canyon
Nahatlach, Rosegarden III(IV)
Nahatlach, Canyon IV
Fraser between Yale and Hope III-IV (trip report)

Squamish/Whistler
Mamquam, Lower II
Mamquam, Upper III+
Stawamus IV
Ashlu, Playrun III(IV)
Ashlu 'Mini-Mine' IV
Elaho/Squamish III; late summer/fall
Cheakamus, Lower II
Cheakamus, Daisy lake down III(IV)
Calcheak III-IV
Soo III-IV

Pemperton
Birkenhead III

Lilloet
Bridge III (IV-V)
Cayoosh III

Lytton
Thompson III(IV); fall - big water
Stein IV-V; fall
Nicola II-III; spring
Spius Creek III, spring, (trip report)

Princeton
Similkameen, Bromley Rock Down II(III); late spring
Similkameen, Canyon III(IV); late spring
Upper Tulameen III-IV (trip report)

 

The Playspots (thanks to Sandy Crane for original compilation, times are driving times from Vancouver - Highway 1/Grandview exit)

Skookumchuck, Sunshine Coast, Egmont (3 hrs, ferry) *****
Excellent spot, runs reliably at Sechelt Inlet flood tides above 11 knots. Can be very crowded. Big, friendly wave, but the stuff behind can be a bit swirly - especially if you go on the 'tour'.
Frog on the Thompson (4hrs, fall, between 480-380 cms at Spences Bridge) *****
Green River Hole: Nairn Falls Campground (Coudre Point), Hwy 99, 3 km South of Pemberton (2hrs, ?)
Chilliwack canyon: Surprise Wave (2hrs, certain levels **)
Chilliwack: wave between Slesse Cr and Thurston meadows (higher > 1.7, spring **)
Mamquam, lower run, several waves and one hole, Squamish (spring, ***)
Upper Cheakamus: hole at the end of the run, near Whistler (lower level, ?)
Calcheak: hole at put-in, V-wave (2 hrs, medium, ***)
Seymour Canyon: hole at the start of the run in North Vancouver (level ?, **)
Capilano: Ender Hole, Big Mother (rain, spring, **)

Ocean surfing, Vancouver Island, BC
Wenatchee, WA (May-June)
Clearwater, BC (August-September)
Shushwap, BC (early summer)

Multiday Trips

Links for multiday trip logistics

Middle Fork Salmon, Idaho, 2000 (trip report)
Jarbidge/Bruneau, Idaho, 2001 - check out my write-up on the AWA Streamkeeper page.
Babine, BC, 2001
Colorado/Grand Canyon, Arizona, 2002
Tuya, BC, 2003

More descriptions and pictures coming soon!