Cowichan River whitewater kayak

Gauge: Cowichan near Duncan (be sure to switch view to discharge) available as a realtime gauge through Water Survey web site. Flows around 85 cms are good for a beginner/intermediate trip.

Fun Fact: Short run good for a quick paddle but plenty of features to make it a longer playboating trip. Dependable run when you're looking for something with easy logistics.

Character: Bedrock canyon with rapids formed by ledges. River flows through scenic evergreen forests in a provincial park.

Season: Winter rains and early spring run-off. Fairly dependable from October to June. Good class II/III beginner/intermediate run at moderate flows and fast class IV run at high water.

Logistics: Take Cowichan Road (Hwy 18) west 18.5 km (11.5 miles) out of Duncan (Yahoo map) to Skutz Falls Road . Take the right fork to stay on Skutz Falls Road, cross the old railroad grade, and continue on the unpaved road to the river. When you reach the river, pull in to the right at the Skutz Falls day-use area for Cowichan River Provinical Park which is the put-in. From this point the road makes a hard turn to the left and continues downstream along river left as River Bottom Road. To reach the take-out continue on downstream. You'll pass the Skutz Falls Campground (seasonal), Horseshoe Bend Group Campground, 66 Mile Trestle Day Use Area, and then Marie Canyon Day Use Area which is the take-out. The turn-off for this site is just before a bridge across a creek (map).

The run starts out at Skutz Falls. At lower flows you can get a good view of the drop from the fish ladder. Most folks looking for a beginner/intermediate run put-in at the base of the falls, but there is a line depending on water levels (video clip of run).

Below Skutz Falls the river enters a beautiful but short bedrock canyon. You'll pass under the Skutz Falls Road Forest Road Bridge and find a couple fun class II/III rapids. The river opens up slightly for a short distance as you paddle a short swift section without any significant rapids.

As you enter Marie Canyon you'll find the first of a couple nice little surf waves (video clip). The river flows through a bedrock gorge from here to the take-out and flows over several ledges that create a variety of play spots. After a couple nice waves at the start of the canyon the river plunges into S-Bend. Here the river forms a nice hole on river left. You can blast through or sneak it on the right. There is good eddy service on river left for those who want to hop in the hole.

You're treated to more good rapids as you continue downstream and pass under the 66 Mile Trestle. A short distance downstream you'll arrive at Double Whammy. There are a couple of fun waves in this section.

Uplifted marine deposits in Marie Canyon at the bottom of Double Whammy

Continuing downstream you'll soon arrive at the final rapid on the run. There are a couple different lines depending on flows. The far left is a good line as long as flows are sufficient. The take-out trail is at the top of this drop so you'll have to carry back up a short distance after running it. You'll see the stairs on river left. It's a good trail up to the parking area.

Note: Video clips require Quicktime to view.

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