Chilko River, photo by David Vican (wetstonestudio)

Chilko and Chilcotin Rivers
note: information on this page is preliminary and unverified

GAUGE: Chilko at Outlet of Chilko Lake and Chilcotin River bl. Big Creek (just upstream of the Fraser confluence) on the BC river data page.

SEASON: Through the summer. Good late in summer.

ACCESS: The closest major town is Williams Lake (Yahoo map). From there head west on Highway 20 and shortly after passing the Chilko confluence with the Chilcotin, turn left and head up the road that parrallels the Chilko and takes you to the uppermost put-in at Chilko Lake.

DESCRIPTION:

This tributary of the Fraser can be paddled in sections or threaded together in a long multi-day journey that continues on the Upper Fraser. The run starts out as easy class 2 for 23 miles from the outlet of the lake to the start of Lava Canyon. The most challenging section is the class 4/5 Lava Canyon located upstream of the Taseko confluence that lasts for 17 miles. It's another 12 miles of class 3 to the confluence with the Chilcotin. The trip continus on the Chilcotin as an easy class 2 float down to Hanceville. The run is then class 3 from Hanceville through Hanceville Canyon, which continues for 29 miles before you reach the next access. The Chilcotin then continues on for 12 miles through class 4 Farewell Canyon and past the Junction Sheep Range Park. The river then joins the Fraser River and it's a class 2 float for 18 miles and the next river access at the Gang Ranch Bridge. Mileage is from World Whitewater which has a good description of these runs.

As an alternative run you can also paddle the Taseko down to the Chilko which takes you through Little Basalt Canyon and Big Basalt Canyon and several class III/IV rapids. This option allows you to avoid Lava Canyon on the Chilko.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

World Whitewater