Rafting the Klinaklini River offers the adventurous traveller a bounty of images and experiences. Your rafting trip begins at the edge of the great interior plateau of British Columbia’s Chilcotin country, at Klinaklini Lake. This lake is a jewel encircled by pristine wilderness and it’s the perfect habitat for moose, grizzly bears, wolves, cougars and eagles. Enveloped by the peaks and canyons of the Coastal Range, you will be able to see Mt. Waddington, B.C.’s highest mountain, looming in the distance.
The upper river is a narrow and intimate corridor that opens up exponentially as we descend downstream. For the next days your world is filled with new sounds and fragrant aromas. You will marvel at the simplicity of nature and remember how good it feels to leave urban existence behind. Four days in, we reach the upper end of the impassable Klinaklini Canyon. From here, your helicopter—a virtual magic carpet—whisks you away to untouched Alpine meadows, snow-capped mountains and ageless diamond-blue glaciers. We spend an unforgettable day hiking in the Alpine meadows and drifting beside the flanks of Mt. Waddington. At the end of this day of exploring, your helicopter lifts you to the next base camp, at the foot of the majestic Klinaklini Glacier.
The final leg of your rafting odyssey begins with dodging icebergs and ends with gliding through giant forests and valley meadows as you are delivered to the head of Knight Inlet, a stunning fjord that penetrates 60 miles into the Coast Range. The rafts allow us to travel the path of least resistance into this beautiful wilderness. There will be plenty of time in camp for hiking and, conditions permitting, we are planning a layover day at the Klinaklini Glacier. You’ll always have the option of walking longer or shorter distances, and for the more advanced hiker, there are some challenging routes in close range. Options range from undulating meadows to steep ascents and plenty of options are available for those with sensitive knees.
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Klinaklini River Photo Gallery
Find out what past participants have said about this trip on the ROAM blog.
Klinaklini River Adventure Travel Planner
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The Terrain
Our trip begins with a dramatic flight into the only calm stretch of the river system at Klinaklini Lake. On the way, we will ride up and over the Coast Mountain range passing many peaks shrouded by glaciers. We spend the first days on the main river of the Klinaklini, a narrow, intimate part of the river with many stretches of big, steep splashy whitewater. Later, we detour to the western arm for a layover day of walking on a glacier. Then, the final days are spent dodging icebergs while the rivers course literally loops around Mt. Waddington, B.C.’s highest peak. With the river finishing at sea level and Waddington’s summit in excess of 14,000 feet, the vertical difference is greater than that of Everest base camp and its’ peak. Our trip culminates with a steady current carrying us through giant forests of cedar and valley meadows before spilling into a tidal lagoon on the Pacific Ocean.
The River
Rafting the Klinaklini River offers the adventurous traveler a bounty of images and experiences. No previous experience is required, yet there are exciting stretches of whitewater ranging from class III – V rapids. Both of the class V drops are optional, as portage routes have been developed, but the long stretches of class IV waves cannot be avoided. The Klinaklini canyon is impassible and heli-portage is mandatory.
Cultural Notes
In June of 1919, a rowboat powered by a 2 1/2 horse motor, headed into the 90 mile long Knight Inlet. In it were Jim and Laurette Stanton, abandoning city life to seek contentment in the wilderness. For decades they eked out a precarious living by trapping, fishing and hand logging the mouth of the Klinaklini River. Both of the Stantons considered the abundant grizzly bear as their friends, not enemies. At times, four bears slept within 100 yards of their cabin. So plentiful were the bears that Jim would encounter six a day on his trap line and Laurette even helped raised three orphaned cubs.
Professional Guides Services
Our river guides are as impressive as the scenery and passionate about their work. Seasoned professionals, they are delighted to pass on their knowledge and skills. As university and college graduates, they have strong backgrounds in natural history, geology and anthropology. They also have knowledge of the local region and its folklore. Part chef, part naturalist, trained in wilderness first aid and professionally certified, our leaders are eager to please and will ensure you have a memorable experience.
Equipment
We utilize state-of-the-art self-bailing crafts. The rafts have been designed with center mount oar rigs and allow participants the option of paddling or just soaking up the views. For those unfamiliar with self-bailing boats, the benefits are revolutionary. As water enters the boat, it collects on the inflated floor then drains out through grommet holes along each side.
Weather
The weather from the end of June to mid September is the best of the year. Temperatures can reach the high 80's (deg F.) during the day and drop to the mid 50's at night. It is the driest time of the year but our equipment list prepares us for the occasional shower.
Wildlife and Flora
Provincial wildlife officials estimate that there are hundreds of resident grizzly bears living in the Klinaklini Valley and sightings are virtually guaranteed. Other mammals often seen include wolf, wolverine, lynx, marten, mink and moose. In the latter parts of the season, hundreds of bald eagles congregate on the river to feast on the spawning salmon and steelhead. Other birds of prey include the golden eagle, rough legged hawk, red tailed hawk and peregrine falcon.
Mergansers are found throughout the river system and we may see flocks of Canada geese on their migration southward. A variety of songbirds also call the Klinaklini home. All five species of Pacific salmon and steelhead spawn in the Klinaklini during the months of August and September; rainbow trout mingle in their midst. The main insect season is over by the middle of summer and the few remaining mosquitoes will be of little concern.
The forests in the Klinaklini are in their natural state. The upper Klinaklini is forested with pine, spruce and fir. The lower river valleys are forested with stands of giant cedar and hemlock and carpeted by verdant, rich layers of thick mosses and ferns.
Fishing
Our first night at Nimpo Lake boasts some excellent fishing. The Klinaklini supports dolly varden and rainbow trout on the upper river while record-size salmon spawn on the lower river. We suggest you bring a rod with case and the smallest of tackle boxes with the appropriate lures or flies. People wishing to fish should purchase a licence in Vancouver or at Stewart’s Lodge.
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