Slesse

Class: III (IV)
Character: low volume, many boulder gardens
Season: Spring-Fall
Time: 2-3 hrs
Distance: 6 km (and longer)
Gauge: check the Chilliwack (at Slesse) gauge on the BC rivers website, 1.4 is a good level
Scenery: pretty good, few other paddlers, nice short canyon
Special hazards: Check Keyhole Canyon for wood before putting on. Once on the run you can't scout all of the canyon. As always: keep an eye out for wood.

Directions: Take Hwy 1 to Chilliwack (Sardis). At Vedder Crossing follow the Chilliwack Lake Road along the Chilliwack River until you get to the bridge across Slesse Cr. After the bridge turn right onto a gravel road (Chilli-Slesse FSR). Soon there is a side branch of the road which leads right to the top of Keyhole Canyon. Check it out to make sure its free of wood. Continue on the road until at about 5 km you reach a bridge across the creek. This is the put-in.

Description: Keyhole Canyon is a short, but steep drop with plenty of water in it. The rest of the run has some steep bouldery sections and gravel bed character.