Chilko-Chilcotin-Fraser Rafting and Hiking Expedition, British Columbia

The Trip

Join our adventurous group on a world-class river adventure on the Chilko, Chilcotin, and Fraser Rivers through the lush alpine forests and high desert plateaus of spectacular British Columbia. With epic whitewater, wildlife galore, and unmatched geologic and scenic diversity, this expedition has been named the best river trip on the planet by Outside magazine. If you are a fan of exciting and challenging rapids, majestic mountains, and high desert landscapes, you will be in wilderness heaven as we float down this trio of rivers.

We’ll travel 120 glorious river miles as we drop 3,000 vertical feet from our put-in near Chilko Lake down to our take-out on the mighty Fraser River. We’ll challenge the rapids of Lava, Big John, and Farwell Canyons, experiencing the longest stretch of commercially navigable whitewater in North America along the way. We’ll enjoy delicious meals, deluxe riverside campsites, and all the wilderness wonders that British Columbia offers along its picturesque rivers.

The Chilko flows northeast 47 miles from its headwaters to its confluence with the Chilcotin River in the dry Chilcotin Plateau. Lodgepole pines form open, sunny forests here in the rain shadow of the Coast Mountains. The meaning of the Chilko’s name is contested, ranging from “river from the ponderosa pine” to “ochre river” to “river with rocks.” Its cliffs consist of lava flows and ash beds from the extensive volcanic activity of the region.

The Chilko and Chilcotin, along with the Taseko River, make up much of the Chilcotin watershed, one of the twelve watersheds that make up the Fraser River Basin. The Chilcotin River possesses an incredible diversity of habitats, from sub-boreal pine and spruce to interior Douglas Fir to bunchgrass. The Canadian government has recognized the importance of the area’s diverse plant and animal species. The river runs along the borders of Bull Canyon Provincial Park, Big Creek Ecological Reserve, and Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park.

At the Chilcotin-Fraser confluence, the rivers are 2,200 feet below the plateaus. The Fraser is the longest river within British Columbia, rising in the Rocky Mountains near Alberta and flowing into the Strait of Georgia, just south of Vancouver. It was named for Simon Fraser, a Canadian fur trader and explorer who built the first European settlement in British Columbia. The river’s discharge averages over 120,000 cubic feet per second, a tremendous volume of water discharging 20 million tons of sediment into the ocean each year. We will get to see only a small segment of the Fraser, but you will see and feel its power. In 1998, the Fraser was designated a Canadian Heritage River for its natural and human heritage.

The Chilko, Chilcotin, and Fraser Rivers flow through the past and present lands of the Tsilhqot’in First Nation. Traditionally Dene (Athabascan) speaking, their name means “people of the Red River” and also refers to the Chilcotin Plateau region. Protection of the environment is important to Tsilhqot'in culture, as it is to Sierra Club members. We travel on these lands with gratitude and respect for the contributions, innovations, and contemporary perspectives of First Nation peoples.

Day 1: We’ll meet in Vancouver in the late afternoon at our hotel. We’ll have dinner and a pre-trip meeting. Double occupancy accommodations and dinner are included in the trip price,

Day 2: After breakfast, we’ll be transported to Vancouver’s Airport South regional airfield and enjoy a scenic flight over Whistler and the Coast Range on our way to Williams Lake. From the airport, we’ll drive across the Chilcotin Plateau to Chilko Lake. Once we get to the river, our guides will give us a comprehensive safety briefing, covering all aspects of whitewater rafting.

We’ll start our adventure on the Chilko River with some swift stretches of current and easy rapids while we watch for bears and eagles. After we set up camp, we’ll enjoy a fabulous chef-prepared dinner.

Days 3 -7: Each morning on the river, we’ll enjoy a hearty and delicious breakfast. Our days will vary, though most mornings we will break down camp and raft downstream to our next camp by the river. Depending on the flow of the river, we may enjoy some layover days when we do not move camp. These days are great for longer hikes to explore the magnificent river canyons we’re passing through. We will enjoy a relaxed and flexible schedule on the river, with plenty of time to take photos, admire the wildflowers, scan the mountains and plateaus for wildlife, fish, read, swim, or skip stones across the water.

Each day, we’ll keep an eye out for eagles and the occasional bear on shore as we adjust to river time. Anyone who wants to try the inflatable kayaks can jump in and enjoy a splashy ride on their own. Eventually, we will come to Lava Canyon and challenge the longest, continuous rapids of the trip. This canyon has become famous to whitewater enthusiasts for its non-stop excitement and crashing waves. We may stop at Bumper Camp, a secluded riverside camp just below the Chilko’s confluence with the sparkling turquoise waters of the Taseko River.

Soon after the confluence, the river valley opens as we emerge on the Chilcotin Plateau. Birds are abundant here and we can relax and try the inflatable kayaks or even some time on the oars during this mellow stretch of river. After this relaxing day, we’ll head into some fun Class II and III rapids before arriving at an ancient First Nation fishing spot deep in the 1500-foot canyons. This stop will offer outstanding hiking, swimming, and even some jumping off riverside rocks into deep pools. Golden eagles soar overhead as we run the Goose Neck Rapids before we camp at Big Creek. 

Big Creek Rapids will provide more excitement and swift currents as we pass towering hoodoos and dramatic side canyons. We’ll also meet the challenges of Farwell Canyon as we head into bighorn sheep territory. Hopefully, we’ll be able to spot a herd or two from the river’s edge or while floating downstream. Before long, we’ll be headed through the Gates of Mordor and the challenges of Big John Canyon. This stretch of the Chilcotin features roller coaster waves and deep desert canyons before we hit the massive volume of the Fraser River at our next confluence. As we near the end of our rafting trip, we’ll get to spend a final night on one of the extraordinary beaches of the Fraser.

Day 8: On our last day of river time, we’ll enjoy a peaceful float on the mighty Fraser. Lunch will be our last meal on the river before we reach our take-out location near the historic Gang Ranch. We’ll board our vehicle for the shuttle to Williams Lake Airport to meet our plane for the scenic flight back to Vancouver. We typically arrive back in Vancouver in the late afternoon. Hotel accommodation (double occupancy) and dinner are included in the cost of the trip.

Day 9: After breakfast, the trip ends and you depart to the airport or your next destination in British Columbia.

The itinerary may change due to flight scheduling, weather, or other circumstances beyond our control.

Getting There

You will need to arrange your transportation to Vancouver, British Columbia. If you are not a Canadian citizen, you will need to carry a passport valid for at least 3 months after your departure. Vancouver’s International Airport (YVR) is a modern facility serviced by most major carriers. It has been recognized as the Best Airport in North America for a record 12 years in a row. If you are driving to Vancouver, you will need to arrange for parking during the duration of the trip. Everyone will need to arrive on or before the first day of the trip to meet up with the group in the early evening.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

Hotel rooms on the first and last nights of the trip are included in the trip price. They will be double occupancy; a single supplement may be available if requested well in advance of the trip’s start date. While on the river, we will be camping at beautiful riverside locations and enjoying nights under the stars. Mountain Hardware tents (double occupancy), sleeping bags, pads, pillows, and dry bags are included in the trip price. If you prefer to have your own tent, there is a single supplement available.

We will try to accommodate dietary restrictions. Please notify the trip leader of any allergies or restrictions well in advance of the trip departure date. We provide healthy and diverse meals, as well as plenty of fresh drinking water and a selection of beverages in camp. If you prefer to have your own tent, there is a single supplement available.

Trip Difficulty

This is an active, challenging trip with opportunities for paddling and hiking daily. We will be traveling downriver on paddle-assisted, oar-rigged rafts. Depending on the flow and the interest of the group, we may bring along some inflatable kayaks. Most rivers are rated on a scale of I-VI. Class I is moving water with a few riffles; Class VI is extreme whitewater that is not commercially navigable. The most difficult rapids of the Chilko, Chilkotin, and Fraser Rivers are rated Class IV, with cold water and a moderate to high possibility of swimmers. We expect everyone on the trip to follow the instructions of the guides and listen carefully during safety briefings. This is not a trip for those who prefer the calm waters of a placid lake or a quiet float on flat water.

Many of the hikes involve elevation gain and steep, rocky trails. However, all hikes are optional. You can choose to lie on the beach, read a book, or take a nap instead. Each person needs to be in good physical condition so we can all enjoy our rafting and hiking time. Participants are encouraged to walk, hike, swim, and exercise in preparation for the trip.

Equipment and Clothing

No special equipment is required for this trip. All gear for rafting, including wetsuits, helmets, and personal flotation devices (PFDs), will be provided. A packing list of appropriate clothing and personal gear will be sent to all participants after acceptance on the trip. In general, it is good to dress in layers while on the river, with cotton clothing reserved for camp. Each participant will need to bring the items on the packing list and little more. If you bring excess personal clothing and gear, you will need to pay an air surcharge for the small planes. Please leave valuables at home. Cell phone service and Wi-Fi will not be available during the trip. 

Summer weather in British Columbia can be somewhat unpredictable. Luckily, the Chilko-Chilcotin region tends to be dry and warmer than the coast. Most likely we will experience sunny days with some rain and high temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s. Nighttime lows are usually in the 50s. Layers and good rain gear are essential. Binoculars are recommended for bird and wildlife viewing.

Please note that transportation to and from Vancouver, excess baggage charges on flights, single hotel and tent supplements, insurance, fishing licenses, and gratuities are NOT included in the trip price.

References

• Barnett, James K. Captain George Vancouver in Alaska and the North Pacific.

• Cannings, Richard and Sydney Cannings. British Columbia: A Natural History of its Origins, Ecology and Diversity.

• Francis, Daniel. Becoming Vancouver: A History.

• Hayes, Derek. British Columbia: A New Historical Atlas.

• Mathews, Daniel. Cascadia Revealed: A Guide to the Plants, Animals & Geology of the Pacific Northwest Mountains.

• Pojar, Jim and Andy MacKinnon. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast.

Conservation

Because of its abundance of natural resources, British Columbia is a hotbed of environmental issues and threats. Vancouver’s urban sprawl is impacting surrounding wildlands, while its waters and marine wildlife are threatened by increased maritime cargo and tanker traffic. The Southern Resident Orcas are now critically endangered due to many factors, including a lack of their favorite prey, Chinook salmon. To restore Columbia and Snake River salmon populations, four dams on the Snake River should be breached. Orcas also face polluted waters, increased marine traffic noise, and an aging population of females in their population.
 
We’ll take time during the trip to discuss climate change, the protection and management of public lands, deforestation, pine beetle outbreaks, fisheries management, threats to wild salmon, and the impacts of mining.