Skirting Tommy's Hole.
Running Linda Lovelace.
Soo River
GAUGE: Visual. Expect high flows in July and more moderate flows through August.
SEASON: A midsummer gem.
ACCESS: Nearest town: Whistler (Yahoo map). Take Highway 99 north from Whistler or south from Pemberton. The take-out is located at a pull-out along Highway 99 just south of the bridge across the Soo. This pull-out is right along the river across from the motocross course. From this point the road climbs the hill south towards Whistler and the put-in. You are looking for a gap in the concrete barrier before you reach the crest of the hill (driving south you will also notice a sign for suggested 60km reduced speed at curves in the road). A dirt road heads off the highway at the gap and continues a couple hundred yards to a trail which heads under the powerlines and down to the river. It's about a 10 minute walk down this trail. After you cross the boardwalk the trail turns left up the hill and away from the river. Continue to the right and down the boater trail to the river.
Put-in parking area: 50.22996N 122.87127W (WGS84). Take-out parking area: 50.25392N, 122.85998W (WGS84).
Description:
The Soo is a great river and one of the Whistler area's roadside classics. Just a couple minutes from town, it's an easy shuttle right along the main highway. It's also short enough that it makes a good option we you don't have time for a more ambitious adventure.
Earlier in the summer this run can be class V but later in the summer at more moderate flows the river runs along at more of a class IV+ pace. In either case the drops come in quick succession and a couple of the rapids have some surprises for those trying to boat scout their way down. After the first few rapids you will come to a drop that offers a couple of options: either head down the right and try your luck with Tommy's Hole or try the boof move on river left. After a few more fun rapids you will be at Linda Lovelace. This rapid has a couple different lines and is worth a scout on river left. You just don't want to be upside down as it has a lot of sharp rock. After another fun rapid the character of the run changes slightly to more continuous boogie water with an endless choice of options weaving your way through boulder gardens, punching holes, and lining up for fun little boofs. This is the Miracle Mile and you just hang on for the ride all the way to the take-out where the gradient abruptly ends.
Skirting Tommy's Hole.
Running Linda Lovelace.
Additional Information:
For additional information check out descriptions in the following guidebooks which you can purchase through the AW virtual bookstore.
