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Yale to Hope Fraser River Float
This section of the Fraser is full of history and legends. Along this stretch of the Fraser you will see First Nations fishing sites, numerous tributaries and Hills Bar where gold was first discovered on the Fraser in 1858. |
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BIG HORN TO YALE
Combine the most exciting stretch of the lower Thompson with the grandeur and power of the Fraser Canyon and you have the best big-river whitewater package available anywhere. |
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2008 Dates:
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Most weekends mid July thru September, depending on river levels. Additional dates available. |
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Meet at:
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Yale base at 8:00 AM Returning at about 4:30 PM |
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Cost:
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$350 + GST (5% tax and 3% land use fee) |
| Click here for complete expedition details. |
Whether you're traveling alone or with a group, you'll enjoy our evening campfire get-together where you and your fellow travelers can swap stories of the day's adventures and prepare for the whitewater challenges that lie ahead.
Inspiring scenery, wildlife, remnants of the cariboo wagon road and the power of Hell's Gate are some of the highlights of the second day. We finish the expedition with the roller- coaster action of Sailor's Bar, a chain of 20 foot waves we rerun several times.
ASHCROFT TO YALE
Fraser & Thompson River 3-day Expedition
The ancient rock walls of Black Canyon tower above as we begin our 160-kilometre adventure. The dry desert climate and the clear blue waters of the Thompson are the perfect companions on the first day of this expedition.Challenge the rapids with our paddle rafts or lounge about on our larger power rafts and enjoy a day of whitewater and frequent sightings of osprey, eagles and Big-horn Sheep.
You will encounter the power of Devil's Gorge, Cutting Board, the Cauldron, Jaws and more. Choose either paddle or power for over 40 km of fun.
As we change rivers, the blue waters of the Thompson mix with the silt-laden waters of the mighty Fraser just above the canyon. With rapids more powerful than the Colorado River we board larger motor rafts called j-rigs for the remainder of the trip.
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2008 Dates:
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July 24-26, Aug 7-9, Aug 28-31. Additional dates are available for groups. |
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Meet:
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Yale base at 8 AM on Day 1, returning around 4 PM on Day 3 |
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Cost:
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$490 + GST (5% tax and 3% land use fee.) |
| Click here for printable expedition details. |
We move from dry sage-covered hills and white limestone cliffs, to lush conifer forests and moss-covered granite banks carved by the force of this free flowing river.
LILLOOET TO YALE
Thompson and Fraser River 4-day Expedition
The Fraser Canyon reverberates with history. For thousands of years First Nations from other areas came for the salmon. The fur trade and the gold rush came later as did the railways. All are still present in the Canyon. This year is the time to raft this historic part of the Fraser River. 2008 is the 150th year since the Fraser River Gold Rush and 200 years since Simon Fraser traveled this corridor.
This four-day expedition will visit First Nation’s interpretive sites, take in a River Fest and contemplate the last 200 years of colonialism. The idea behind this trip is to bring people together who share an interest in this period of time and the river. The goal is to enjoy the scenery, share knowledge through great conversations and have some fun! Historians Dan Marshall and Rick Blacklaws are along for the ride. You will enjoy sampling of BC wines and some great cuisine as well.
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2008 Dates:
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August 29 - September 1. |
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Meet at:
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Yale base at 8 AM on Day 1. Returning to Yale at about 4:30 PM on Day 4. |
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Cost:
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$800 + GST (5% tax and 3% land use fee) |
| Click here for printable expedition details. |
CHURN CREEK TO HISTORIC YALE
"The Long Run"
Fraser River 7-day Expedition
This expedition begins below the grasslands of the mid Fraser at Churn Creek. Cactus, bunch grass and sagebrush cover the arid rolling terrain. Steep drop offs down to the rivers edge where the river slices through the volcanic rock; the Fraser River cuts a path so deep into the Plateau it can hardly be seen at the edges of the land.
The regions colors are beiges and browns relieved only by the yellows, purple and mauves of the native plant species and the blue of the sky. The rarest of the BC ecosystems, this is the territory of the Secwepemc people. We launch from a family fishing site.
Big Horn Sheep thrive in this terrain, ewes and offspring traveling in large herds, the mature rams travel separately in smaller groups. September is mating season when the rams joust and butt heads; the sound traveling far in the canyon.
Alan Haig Brown describes this section “the land is a geological and geographical treasure house of plateaus, ridges, gullies, hanging valleys, erratics, sedimentation, water and wind erosion, volcanic and glacial landscapes, and shiny black rock glazed by volcanic heat and cooled by glacial waters. It is a land all but untouched by human hand but showing the spectacular hand of nature around every river bend.
Simon Fraser wrote “There are so many variety along this River, that however willing I might be I am not possessed of sufficient abilities to describe it.”
Leaving the Plateau we will camp at Leon Creek where 200 years before Simon Fraser cached his canoes and headed overland. We stop to explore Big Slide Mine, a haunting derelict site from the 1880’s built into the edge of a huge scree slope that formed at bottom of rocky cliffs that tower above.
The many rapids encountered are all unique, each formed by a different force. Some are caused by giant rock rubble that has fallen from the cliffs, others by the boulders carried by a tributary during freshet. Some are from the river being squeezed through a narrow canyon. They all have stories old and new. Inflatable kayaks are brought for sections of the river where it is calmer; some paddlers may choose to try the smaller rapids. These single and double kayaks are stable and fun for even the inexperienced paddler.
The last day of this expedition finishes with the end of the end of scenic Fraser Canyon. You will conquer the unforgettable rapids at Hell’s Gate and the rollercoaster action of Sailor Bar Rapids.
August is a great time to raft the Fraser as it is at lower water levels and many sand bars are exposed for great camping. The rapids are more defined, days are warm and the bugs are gone.
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2008 Dates:
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August 17-23. |
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Meet at:
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Yale base at 7 AM on Day 1. Returning to Yale at about 4:30 PM on Day 7. |
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Cost:
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$1,600 + GST (5% tax) + 3% land use fee) |
| Click here for printable expedition details. |
