The Adams River (High Country)

Located near Scotch Creek on the sunny North Shuswap, the Adams River is rich with First Nations history. Trails along the river harbour ancient pictograph locations and numerous winter pit house dwelling sites. The Adams River is renowned as the world's largest sockeye salmon run. Every October scores of crimson sockeye make the gruelling 500 km journey back from ocean to their birth grounds, the crystal clear water of the Adams. Every 4 years (2006, 2010...) is a dominant year with the river turning red with a spectacular display of a few million spawning salmon. It is a sight to behold and a resource worth protecting. The lower Adams River is fully encompassed within Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park, offering a safe haven for the salmon and a variety of wildlife.

Since 1983 commercial rafting has provided whitewater adventure for folks of all ages and abilities. The rapids are rated as moderate, with highlights such as 'The Weir', The Ender Waves', and most memorable, the nozzle like canyon 'The Gorge'! In summer, the water warms up, making the Adams possibly the warmest whitewater in the province.

The Thompson River (High Country):

The Thompson River, like the Fraser, starts its flow to the Pacific in the Rocky Mountains near the BC/Alberta border. However, the two rivers take completely different paths as they cut their way through the harsh mountainous terrain. The Thompson, which is 489 km. (303 mi.) long, flows south and west into the interior and joins the Fraser River at Lytton.

From its headwaters until it reaches Kamloops, the Thompson River, is the North Thompson. The South Thompson flows from Shuswap Lake to Kamloops, where the two join to form the Thompson River that flows to Lytton and the Fraser. This is the canyon section of the Thompson River that is famous for river rafting.

From Kamloops to Lytton, dry barren terraces and bench lands flank the Thompson River. Green-blue waters rush through this section forming rapids, back eddies, standing waves, haystacks and whirlpools that make for excellent river rafting. A rafting trip down the Thompson includes such thrills as the rapids of the Frog, the Devil's Kitchen, and the Jaws of Death. Most river rafting tours start at Spences Bridge and head down to Lytton. Take a motorized raft trip or enjoy a paddle trip and really get involved with the river. Other whitewater rafting rivers in this region that flow into the Thompson are the Nicola and the Nicoamen Rivers.

The Clearwater River (High Country):

Clearwater, is the gateway to British Columbia's fourth largest provincial park, Wells Gray Park and a true adventure playground. This wilderness paradise has it all including interesting volcanic formations, splendid alpine meadows, calm lakes, excellent fishing, and superb waterfalls. An exciting way to explore this region is to take a rafting trip on the Clearwater River. The Clearwater River starts in the park and rushes to join the North Thompson River in the North Thompson Valley.

Clear, rushing waters of the Clearwater River say it all. For hundreds of years, the river has remained clear because as it flowed through volcanic rock, silt was left behind in settling ponds upstream. This is an imposing river offering volume, holes, waves, whirlpools and is graded a three plus. A trip on the Clearwater will take you through lava formed canyons and rapids such as the Saber Tooth.

Take a motor powered trip or try paddle rafting with a group. The choice is yours. There are rafting companies that specialize in one day trips, while others offer two day excursions. Enjoy the excitement and exhilaration of white water rafting, run the Clearwater River. High Country has other rafting rivers with guided tours making it possible to experience the different classes and thrills.

The Fraser River (High Country):

British Columbia's longest river, the fifth longest in Canada, is the Fraser River. Starting in the Rocky Mountains at Mount Robson, the Fraser River stretches for 1,368 km (848 mi.) and flows into the Pacific Ocean. It starts as a meandering waterway that eventually becomes a rushing river picking up silt and accumulating volume as other rivers and streams feed it.

At Prince George, in central BC, the Fraser heads southward through the Cariboo's Interior Plateau. Soon, the fast flowing waters make their way through old volcanic rock, forming deep and narrow canyons including the dramatic Fraser Canyon. This is where the Fraser makes its way through a narrow 34 metre (99 foot) gorge, known as Hell's Gate.

The Fraser Canyon is the section of river that offers the ultimate in river rafting. Qualified tour operators take customers in motorized inflatable rafts down river to run the rapids from Boston Bar to Yale. Rapids like Scuzzy Rock, China Bar and Hells Gate. This one day excursion is open from May to the end of August offering thrilling and exhilarating rides. See and feel first hand the energy of the rapids and whirlpools, as the raft churns rushing downstream.

The Nahatlatch River, which flows into the Fraser, is another very popular rafting river. The fury of white water on the Nahatlatch offers an exuberant and thrilling ride, all under the control of experienced and knowledgeable river raft operators.

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