Columbia and Kootenay River cruise.

[robon]

Slow around here these days. I went on a 22 km trip on the Columbia and Kootenay river this past Sunday. This has become one of my favourite paddling trips because of stretches of flat water, swift water with boils, eddys, and rapids, with good wildlife viewing opportunities. The river has almost peaked and is very high right now, which has smoothed out the rapids and actually makes it easier to paddle back upstream. Ferrying is easier right now too. Normally I have to catch a large eddy that has good reverse current to get back upstream river right at lower flows, but can make it back on either side right now. It's been interesting watching sturgeon feeding on the trout eggs right now, and some interesting sights with the water this high as well.

My route. Looks like a doodle by a 5 year old resulting from several river river crossings, and three island tours.

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The flattest part of the river by my place, with about 5kms of slow current. The current picks up much more at the bridge in the distance.



The community of Robson on the Columbia.



I ran into this crew who were on their way to Trail from the old Ferry landing in Robson. Drinking beer and doing yoga poses. Only in the Koots.



White Sturgeon by Robson. This guy was around 6 feet long. I saw several in this area in the 4 to 6 foot range feasting on trout eggs, and one that looked to be between 8-10 feet long in the swifter, shallower water underneath the highway bridge. Scared me a bit because I wasn't expecting a fish more than half the length of my 14 foot board to be only a few under me. Need a go pro for better pics.



Entering the Selkirk College Island waterway after ferrying across the Kootenay River. Almost missed the Eddy and got swept back into the Columbia. Water is flowing faster in the middle of the Kootenay than I thought.



Looking at Mt. Sentinel from the Selkirk Island wetland



View from the back water at Zuckerberg Island. The bridge in the background is where the Kootenay River is coming from the Brilliant Dam. Opposite side of the river is the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia rivers. Good current there.



Zuckerberg Island suspension bridge



Took a look in the trees at Millennium Park



Millennium water park. This is the lowest of three tiered pools that has become part of the river. Water is usually a good 8-10 feet below this pool.



Final push upstream. Doesn't look like it, but the current is moving fast a few feet to my right.

[FRP]

Thanks for posting Robon

Spectacular pictures! That sturgeon is so cool. I don't do much flat water paddling but your post has me stoked. I was just in the Winderemere area on the weekend and will plan a Columbia river paddle with my brother in August.

Cheers

Bob

[robon]

Hey Bob,

I have driven by Windermere many times and would like to paddle the Columbia and Windermere lake sometime. The wetlands on Lake Windermere looks like a really cool place to paddle, and the Columbia is nice too.

I wanted to add that when the Columbia river is lower, there is a double set of rapids called the tin cup rapids that are a lot of fun on the route I went on. There are two wave trains through this stretch that can get around 3 to 4 feet high in succession, and the water remains quite deep, so you can take a hard board down without wrecking it. It's one of the reasons I like the area, because I can bypass the rapids or plow through. Choose your own adventure type of deal:)

[lucabrasi]

So Nice.
That's all I got to say.....
      i guess not quite

Thanks for posting Robon.........
 Hell yeah.
Summer!!!

[PonoBill]

Looks like a great paddle. I have to get up there soon.

[Night Wing]

A very fine flat water paddle. I envy you.

Thanks for sharing your paddle session and taking the time and effort to post all of your photos.

[surfafrica]

I went on a 22 km trip on the Columbia and Kootenay river this past Sunday. This has become one of my favourite paddling trips because of stretches of flat water, swift water with boils, eddys, and rapids, with good wildlife viewing opportunities. The river has almost peaked and is very high right now, which has smoothed out the rapids and actually makes it easier to paddle back upstream.

My old 'hood!  I grew up there (70s & 80s)!  Man, the river does look high!

[deepmud]

Nice! I hope you get a gopro soon I like your pics/views