Cheakamus
River
As it flows through Paradise Valley in Garibaldi Provincial Park,
the Cheakamus River is a clear emerald colour, except in those places
where it billows with whitewater. The total length of its run is just
under 7 miles (12 km) from the put-in for kayakers at the north
end of Paradise Valley Road to the take-out just above the Cheekye
Bridge on the Squamish Valley Road. Except for a rough, Class III
section at the midpoint where Culliton Creek enters the river, this
is a consistent run with a predictably steady, Class II descent. Water
levels in the river are controlled by a BC Hydro dam farther upstream
on Daisy Lake near Whistler.
A steady flow
is guaranteed, as much for the health of fish stocks in the river
(a debatable point with local anglers) as for paddling. The takeout
at the bridge is next to the SunWolf Outdoors Centre on the east
bank of the river. Caution is suggested should you wish to paddle
below this point. Boulders pushed into the river from the nearby
Cheekye River have created a drop below the bridge that may be more
than less-experienced kayakers or rafters can handle.
Freshwater river
fishing happens on the Cheakamus River almost year-round. Fishing
is strictly catch-and-release on all the rivers and creeks in the
Squamish region. Unlike the nearby Squamish River into which it
flows, water in the Cheakamus is clear year-round. Anglers cast
from the banks of the Cheakamus for coho salmon in October and November,
for steelhead from late February to April, and for dolly varden
char year-round. Best access to the banks is from the north end
of Paradise Valley Road. Head west of Highway 99 on Squamish Valley
Road to reach Paradise Valley Road.
Nearest Town: Squamish,
Whistler, Sea
to Sky Highway
Nearest
Park: Garibaldi
Provincial Park, Brandywine
Falls Provincial Park, Alice
Lake Provincial Park
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