The Chilko-Chilcotin-Fraser is unmatched in its awesome diversity and enormous stretches of Class IV whitewater. The trip begins with a spectacular scenic flight over the glaciated Coast Range into Chilko Lake Resort, on the edge of a glacial lake. Our Chilko River adventure winds through lush alpine forests, narrow canyons, high desert plateaus and skyscraping hoodoos, then ends 3,000 vertical feet lower and one week later on the Fraser River, the lifeblood of Canada’s largest river system. The route runs through Lava, Big John and Farwell canyons and includes the continent’s longest stretch of commercially navigable whitewater.
Chilko-Chilcotin-Fraser Photo Gallery
Find out what past participants have said about this trip on the ROAM blog.
Chilko Chilcotin Fraser Adventure Travel Planner
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Day One - Sunday
We meet in Vancouver for our 11am for flights to Chilko Lake. Important Note for Those Arriving at Vancouver International Airport on Day One: It is essential to arrive no less than two hours before our 11:00 AM flight. You need to allow enough time for possible flight delays, time to clear customs, and time to transfer by taxi from the Vancouver International Airport terminal to a private air terminal.
Please make sure your gear is packed in soft luggage as this will allow for easy storage and transfer into the chartered aircraft. As soon as everyone’s gear is stowed, we will board our chartered plane for the incredible flight over the mountains and glaciers to Chilko Lake. Here at the headwaters, we will meet our guides, go over last-minute details and issue expedition equipment.
Day Two - Monday
After a hearty breakfast, we will head to the boats, go through the safety procedures for the trip and teach any “would be” paddlers the basics. The swift currents and gentle rapids will carry more than 25 miles to our camp, located in a beautiful meadow along the riverbank and surrounded by lodge pole pines. Upon arrival we'll go through the camping procedures and then enjoy the first of many delightful meals in the wilderness. There will be plenty of time for a leisurely walk, fishing for rainbow trout and dolly varden, or simply watch the bald eagles from the river bank.
Day Three - Tuesday
After breakfast, it's on to the rafts. You will quickly notice that the pace of the river has increased. Today we descend through Lava Canyon and challenge the longest, continuous rapids of the trip. Heart stopping hydraulics and towering, standing waves cascade for more than 14 miles through deep and narrow lava gorges, makes for some non-stop excitement. It is no surprise Lava Canyon has become world famous among whitewater enthusiasts. Depending on the trip, we will choose a secluded riverside camp just above or below where the river doubles in size as the turquoise Taseko River joins the Chilko. At camp, a delightful evening under the stars and celebration is in order after a fun filled day of adventure.
Day Four - Wednesday
After a leisurely breakfast, we run the "Gap"—a 20-foot wide chute that carries us into the Chilcotin River. The river valley opens as we emerge on the Chilcotin Plateau. Birdlife abounds and our casual float is a welcome reprieve after Day Three’s excitement. This will be a great day for trying the oars and everyone will be encouraged to give it a try. Arriving relatively early into camp, there will be time for swimming or plain old loafing around. Try your hand at some fishing or sit and watch the sunset on the metamorphic rocks across the valley.
Day Five - Thursday
An early departure will set the stage for an action packed day. In the morning, we will enjoy some friendly Class II and III rapids before arriving at our lunch site at an ancient Indian fishing spot deep in the 1500 ft. canyons. This stop offers outstanding hiking, swimming and for the more adventurous, cliff jumping into the refreshing waters of the Chilcotin. After lunch we can ride the Goose Neck Rapids while golden eagles soar high above us. Tonight, we'll camp at the confluence of Big Creek. Here there will be plenty of time to hike up Dome Mountain for an incredible view or fish for rainbow in Big Creek. If you feel less active, you'll be able to wander with your camera through this beautiful valley or simply relax with a good book.
Day Six - Friday
After a leisurely morning enjoying this spectacular camping area, we will break camp and immediately enter the Big Creek rapids. Lots of fun splashy rapids and accelerating current keep the pace up as we whirl past towering hoodoos and dramatic canyons. Today adventures are capped with a wild ride through Farwell Canyon as we eventually enter California bighorn sheep country. Tonight’s camp features a sandy beach and plenty of space to spread out in the Chilcotin grasslands. Aptly named Sheep Camp, we can spot California Big Horns from the river’s edge.
Day Seven - Saturday
After another delicious breakfast, we will drift further down the Chilcotin and in short time challenge Big John Canyon. This stretch of the Chilcotin features countless massive wave trains that roller coaster for miles in a rushing chorus down deep desert canyons only to dissipate into the mighty volume of the Fraser River. In this country, there will be plenty of photo opportunities for the camera buff. The rolling badlands, the towering waves and the massive granite canyons provide a dramatic backdrop to the whitewater experience. After a peaceful float down the mighty Fraser, we'll arrive at the take-out point, historic Gang Ranch. Here we'll board our vehicles for the shuttle to meet up with our chartered plane for the spectacular ride back. The flight is incredible as we negotiate desert canyons and cut through the glacier capped mountains of the Coast Range, past Whistler Mountain, and eventually reaching the Pacific. Weather permitting, we plan to arrive back at the air terminal by 6:00 PM, but recommend participants plan to overnight in Vancouver.
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