Riv Rafting Redeux

[John Rinker]

Lately, we've had some beautiful summer temps in the daytime, but as the nights begin to cool I know that my days of swimming comfortably in the river are waning. Oh, I'll still swim well into November, but it won't be comfortable! 

I've been hitting the river regularly in the last couple of weeks, paddling sections I don't normally do throughout the summer. Yesterday I went to the northern terminus of the Slocan Valley Rail Trail and put my packraft in Slocan Lake. I then proceeded to paddle down the river and into the Walter Clough Wildlife Preserve, a wide, marshy section of the river home to many species of birds. In the winter, trumpeter swans spend time there, but yesterday I saw none. The Canadian geese seem to be gathering there and preparing for their 'Honk if you love the South' tour. There were hundreds of them! I saw a few ducks, some osprey, and a couple of blue herons. Trout and whitefish were jumping here and there. 

I covered no great distances and broke no speed records for pedalling or paddling, but it sure was an enjoyable day to roll across gravel and float the Slocan. 

For those who enjoy maps, here's my GaiaGPS track. 

Cheers, John

[Ryan Frahm]

Looks like a perfect day out, John! I haven’t used my boat as much this season, our river has been a bit lower than I prefer for most of it. These pictures really make me want to go float!

[Patrick Moore]

Lovely. 

How far do you typically cover, by bike and by boat, on such an excursion?

Our acequia irrigation ditches have been full (in my area) but our river, dammed and diverted along so much of its length, is very, very low -- 2/3 mudflats along the Montano Bridge just now.

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

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[John Rinker]

Ryan, as you well know, these boats don't need a lot of water. I was along stretches yesterday where the river bottom was just inches away.

Patrick, Because I live right near the trail and the river, these trips are usually 20-25km- half riding up the valley, and half floating down. The bigger commitment is time, usually between 4-6 hours. There are just too many swimming holes and cool spots to check out along the way!

Cheers.

[Ryan Frahm]

So true John! These boats are quite impressive. We just have a lot of rocks that I can’t fit between when it is low. I have been able to take my daughter on several short trips at least! I can’t complain about how much fun she has on our short little raft trips. 

[John Rinker]

You bet Ryan! If you're daughter is having fun then even the shortest trip is a gift. I've seen the Spokane River when it's low, and I know the rocks you're talking about. Do they control the levels of the river through dams?

[Ryan Frahm]

Absolutely! So much fun to share it with her! They do control the levels and it has been as low as it can really get most of the summer. I love the section from the Idaho border down to my place, 16 or so miles down the best. They have just kept it pretty low. Hopefully we’ll have a better snowpack this winter!

[Ryan Frahm]

We are so lucky to have this a few minutes walk from our door!

[John Rinker]

I must come down someday and float the section you speak of. I think a cool trip would be a bike along the Centennial Trail to Idaho and then a float back. A friend and I are headed down there on the 19th on our way to the Nubwiggle ride out of Walla Walla. Perhaps I can convince him to bring his raft and spend a day on the Spokane!

I've always admired how clear the water in the Spokane River seems, and there are some very fine swimming spots past the Bowl and Pitcher area.

Cheers.

[Ryan Frahm]

That looks like a great ride John! I remember seeing that route pop up on Bikepacking. Enjoy the trip!

I really enjoy the Spokane river. So clear when the water level is down. Riding on the centennial and admiring the river has been a very nice part of moving here. The water levels might be better on the lower sections, I haven’t been that way for a bit. I think it is worth bringing the rafts just in case!