Trip Details:
Big Canoe paddlers run the Thompson River between the bridge at Savona (Steelhead Provincial Park) and Ashcroft.
Fees: Participants will be asked to pay minimum $75 for trailer towing for this event. These fees will be collected after members have been registered for the event and confirmed their commitment.
Important note for registration: Those wishing to register for this trip should add themselves to the wait list. Organizers will monitor waitlist and register participants manually.
Experience:
No river paddling skills are required, but it is helpful; and all paddlers are required to have paddled Big Canoe at least one time prior to the trip. Those wishing to acquire this experience should attend a Wednesday night Big Canoe paddling session. The river is large, generally flat, but with a good current. There are some good waves, but nearly all can be avoided if needed. The biggest set of waves comes early on, after the first bridge. Thereafter, they are generally smaller, less severe, and/or more avoidable. The weather is likely to be
We camp at Juniper Beach Provincial Park, which is half way between Cache Creek and Savona on the TCH from Cache Lytton to Kamloops. The Park is on the banks of the Thompson River. There is tent camping on the lawn there; most users are trailer campers. There are toilets, showers and drinkable water. Sites cannot be booked, but we have not had any difficulties in past years. For details, see the website http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/juniper_bch/
Up to individuals, but if people commit, sharing of vehicles can be arranged. People who are working can catch the 5pm ferry and drive up to Juniper Beach arriving between 11pm and midnight. If you are driving up the Fraser Canyon, Juniper Beach is about 18kms east of Cache Creek – the sign is easily seen. If you go up the Coquihalla, head back towards Cache Creek and the park is < 10 kms west of the Savona Bridge. On the Sunday, we will likely paddle in the morning and leave in time to catch the 7, 8 or 9 pm ferry back to Victoria.
warm and the river not too cold, although there may be a head wind in the afternoon. Wet suits can be worn, but are not a requirement. There is some history to the area – the Wallachin settlement pre WW1 – and the scenery is lovely. On past experience, the day time temperatures should be quite warm, but the early mornings and evenings can be chilly.
Accommodation for the Thompson River Trip:
The site is bracketed by two railway tracks, one next door to the campsite, the other across the river. If you don’t like being woken up at night, take ear-plugs to dull the sound of the trains and their whistles. Also note that there are prickly pear cactuses in the scrub/bush beyond the campsite, so don’t go beyond the park without thick-soled footwear. For those who don’t camp, there are motels in Cache Creek and Ashcroft. There are no restaurants or fast food places near the Juniper Beach campsite – you need to be self-sufficient for food or willing to drive >15 minutes each way to the nearest diner.
Transport for Thompson River Trip:
Sharing vehicles can be arranged. Participants who are working can catch the 5 pm ferry and drive up to Juniper Beach, arriving between 11 pm and midnight. If you are driving up the Fraser Canyon, Juniper Beach is about 18 kms east of Cache Creek - the sign is easily seen. If you go up the Coquihala, head back towards Cache Creek and the park is , 10 kms west of the Savona Bridge. On Sunday we will likely paddling in the morning and leave in time to catch the ferry in the evening @ 7, 8 or 9 pm.
Any questions regarding the trip can be sent to BigCanoe@vckc.ca
