Soo River Paddle

When Peter proposed we take my kayak down Soo River I was shocked. Isn't that class 4/5 whitewater? He explained that we would be heading down the calmer section above the dam.

We dropped off the kayak at the put-in spot about 13kms down the road on the north side of Soo River. Then we parked the car near the dam and walked back up the road to the put-in spot.

Peter at the put-in spot. We wore wetsuits because this water is glacier cold.

The paddling was fun. Beautiful views of the mountains. A few quicker spots, but nothing too bad, One large logjam we had to cross.

At the logjam just before we carried the boat over.

There is a large rock next to the road around km 4. This would probably have been the better pull out location. We kept going until we got to a point we could go no further, We took the boat out and bushwacked about 20m up to the road, then caried the boat back to the car.

I'm sure glad we wore wetsuits!

A great way to spend an afternoon!

Fort Langley to Vancouver via the Fraser River

Yesterday I finished the final leg of the Fraser River from Hope to home. Ivan came along for the ride.

We took out at River District Park in Vancouver

We skytrained out to Lougheed Station and transferred buses twice to get to Fort Langley.

We put in at Fort Langley boat launch around 2pm.

We stopped for lunch on an island along the way

Just after the Port Mann Bridge

Then we continued home

Heading towards the Pattullo Bridge

We passed lots of tugboats, barges, and various other signs of industry.

A load of demolished cars.

All together an mellow and very enjoyable day!

Hope to Fort Langly via the Fraser River

This week I kayaked a portion of the Fraser River. On Monday I left from Hope, on Wednesday I arrived at Fort Langley.

Matty Gray offered me a ride to hope! I used the boat launch off Wardle Street,

Thanks for the ride Matty!

I loaded up my Innova Safari and off I went!

Low river levels meant large gravel banks on each side of the river.

The first 10kms had fast flowing water with standing waves and whirlpools and lots of wind. After that the river widened out and calmed down.

I camped my first night on an island about 2kms downriver from the Rosedale Bridge.

Can you spot the photographer's shadow?

Next day was mellowing paddling on nice, wide river. I made sure to stay to the left where the Harrison River enters.

Around here is where the air started to get a "farm" smell.

I was near Mission as the sun set. A fisherman by the side of the river stopped me to ask about the kayak. He pointed out a nice place to camp.

At this point the lens of my waterproof camera had too much water on it... this photo was taken with my phone.

The sunset was AMAZING! I really wish I could have captured it better.

Pink sky by night, kayaker's delight? I don't think so.... rain forecast the next day.

On Wednesday I set out early for Fort Langley. This portion is tidal. A few curious seals came to say hi. I pulled out at the boat launch in Fort Langley, packed my gear and walked over to the bus stop.

Waiting for the bus to take me to the Skytrain so I can go home!

All together a nice three days. Here's a few notes:

-The water is cold, you may want a wetsuit or drysuit

-It's amazing how much industry is along the river banks. At times there is definite funky smells in the air. Many people and animals eat fish from this river, we should show more respect.

-Here's someone else's recent trip report from the Fraser http://damgoodtrips.com/fraserriver/
-And another trip report http://bcwetcoast.blogspot.ca/2014/09/hope-to-home-in-15-days-august-3031.html

-Here's a frundraiser trip that runs this same route! http://www.squeah.com/Paddle-A-Thon.html
-This group provides lots of info about Lower Mainland waterways and what you can do to take action http://www.fraserriverkeeper.ca/