The Chemainus river runs along the north edge of Mt Prevost, hiding below the shoulder is the Copper Canyon. It is a very nice canyon to paddle through. Meeting up with the guys at Russell Farms Market we decided to leave the vehicles there and head off to do the shuttle to the top of the river. This would mean an extra 1/2 hr paddle down the lower Chemainus river but would shorten the shuttle a bit.
The level was low but the rapids were in good shape and still lots of fun. It had been awhile since I was last down the river but started to remember more of the drops as we dropped into the canyons. Copper canyon is composed of two different canyons with the 2nd having the bigger drops.
The weather was great and their were waterfalls coming into the canyons all the way down. The one thing we didn’t expect was the 4-5 gunshots that came fairly close on the way to 2nd canyon. We could here them coming by at a fairly close proximity as we shouted and blew a whistle. We couldn’t hear or see them but random gunfire is no joke. Glad no one was hit. Exciting times.
One of the main rapids in the Canyon, The Wall, has had some changes with the sieve rock moving more into the current, and a rock sticking up more blocking the left line. Made it look way more intimidating at the flow of 16cms. Might be different at higher flows.
Good day out enjoy the photos below,
Loading up
Scenic in the Canyon
Portaging The Wall
Waiting below The Wall rapid
Clay going for a seal launch
Downstream in the 2nd Canyon
Steve Hunt lining up the Flume
Hitting the line
At the bottom of the Flume, best line of the day.
Hiking back to Russell Farm Market
Driving back to the put-in , Days end
Afterwards taking a scenic view in of the Cowichan Valley
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