Your expedition begins in a chartered aircraft as you fly above the massive mountains and glaciers of the Coast Range. After landing in the far reaches of British Columbia’s wilderness at Chilko Lake Resort, begin your extremely steep descent (over 3,000 vertical feet) down the crystal blue water of this dramatic high desert river. The Chilko is a thrilling whitewater challenge, with a number of extended Class IV drops. For those who have experienced Cataract Canyon, the Middle Fork of the Salmon and the Grand Canyon, this is an ideal next step.
Trip Details
Duration
7 Days/6 Nights
Location
Chilko River
Season
June 7, 15, 22, 29; July 6, 13, 20, 27; August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; September 7
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Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Sunday Meet in Vancouver for a 3:00pm flight to Chilko Lake.
Important Note for Those Arriving at Vancouver International Airport on Day One: It is essential to arrive no less than two hours before the 3:00pm flight. You need to allow enough time for possible flight delays, time to clear customs, and time to transfer by taxi from the Vancouver International Airport terminal to a private charter plane terminal (TBA).
Please make sure your gear is packed in soft luggage as this will allow for easy storage and transfer into waterproof river bags. As soon as everyone’s gear is stowed, board a chartered plane for the incredible flight over the mountains and glaciers to Chilko Lake. Here at the headwaters, meet the guides, check into your room, and enjoy the afternoon and evening at the resort. A lakeside view at dinner and an evening to go over last-minute details and issuing expedition equipment will help you settle into the moods and rhythms of the trip.
Day 2: Monday After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, head to the boats, go through the safety procedures for the trip and teach any “would be” paddlers the basics. The swift currents and gentle rapids will carry more than 25 miles to camp, located in a beautiful meadow along the riverbank and surrounded by lodgepole pines. Upon arrival, go through the camping procedures and then enjoy the first of many delightful meals in the wilderness. There will be plenty of time for a leisurely walk, fishing for rainbow trout and dolly varden, or simply watch the bald eagles from the river bank.
Day 3: Tuesday After breakfast, it's on to the rafts. You will quickly notice that the pace of the river has increased. Today, descend through Lava Canyon and challenge the longest, continuous rapids of the trip. Heart stopping hydraulics and towering, standing waves cascade for more than 14 miles through deep and narrow lava gorges, makes for some non-stop excitement. It is no surprise Lava Canyon has become world famous amongst whitewater enthusiasts. Depending on the trip, choose a secluded riverside camp just above or below where the river doubles in size as the turquoise Taseko River joins the Chilko. At camp, a delightful evening under the stars and celebration is in order after a fun filled day of adventure.
Day 4: Wednesday After a leisurely breakfast, run the "Gap" - a 20-foot wide chute that carries you into the Chilcotin River. The river valley opens as you emerge on the Chilcotin Plateau. Birdlife abounds and a casual float is a welcome reprieve after Day Three’s excitement. This will be a great day for trying the oars and everyone will be encouraged to give it a try. Arriving relatively early into camp, there will be time for swimming or plain old loafing around. Try your hand at some fishing or sit and watch the sunset on the metamorphic rocks across the valley.
Day 5: Thursday An early departure will set the stage for an action packed day. In the morning, enjoy some friendly class 2 and 3 rapids before arriving at the lunch site at an ancient Indian fishing spot deep in the 1500-foot canyons. This stop offers outstanding hiking, swimming and for the more adventurous, cliff jumping into the refreshing waters of the Chilcotin. After lunch, ride the Goose Neck Rapids while golden eagles soar high above. Tonight, camp at the confluence of Big Creek. Here there will be plenty of time to hike up Dome Mountain for an incredible view or fish for rainbow in Big Creek. If you feel less active, you'll be able to wander with your camera through this beautiful valley or simply relax with a good book.
Day 6: Friday After a leisurely morning enjoying this spectacular camping area, break camp and immediately enter the Big Creek rapids. Lots of fun splashy rapids and accelerating current keep the pace up as we whirl past towering hoodoos and dramatic canyons. Today adventures are capped with a wild ride through Farwell Canyon as you eventually enter California bighorn sheep country. Tonight’s camp features a sandy beach and plenty of space to spread out in the Chilcotin grasslands. Aptly named Sheep Camp, you can spot California Big Horns from the river's edge.
Day 7: Saturday After another delicious breakfast, drift further down the Chilcotin and in short time challenge Big John Canyon. This stretch of the Chilcotin features countless massive wave trains that roller coaster for miles in a rushing chorus down deep desert canyons only to dissipate into the mighty volume of the Fraser River. In this country, there will be plenty of photo opportunities for the camera buff. The rolling badlands, the towering waves and the massive granite canyons provide a dramatic backdrop to the whitewater experience. After a peaceful float down the mighty Fraser, arrive at the take-out point, historic Gang Ranch. Here, board vehicles for the shuttle to meet up with a chartered plane for the spectacular ride back. The flight is incredible as you negotiate desert canyons and cut through the glacier capped mountains of the Coast Range, past Whistler Mountain, and eventually reaching the Pacific. Weather permitting, plan to arrive at the SOUTH TERMINAL by late 5:00pm but recommend participants plan to overnight in Vancouver.
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