Finlay river Drift

[Darksith]

has anyone ever drifted the finlay river? I have never even laid eyes on it so I really have no idea, but could be a decent adventure unless the road follows it the entire route then it could be kinda silly...just looking for a decent adventure and a chance to bag an elk honestly. PM me for thoughts or ideas.

[luckofthedraw]

Sounds like something I'd like to do someday. Probably bag more then an elk too.

[luckofthedraw]

I've never been up that way. It looks like a FSR follows along majority of the river, winding away from the road and back at numerous spots. Could try Finlay River Outfitters for some info?

[tenrag]

Are you referring to findlay creek by Canal Flats? The lower portion near the kootenay river is hairy with falls and deep canyons. A few people have lost their lives over the past couple summers by falling into that water. The upper portion downstream from doctor creek bridge looks decent for a float, above the bridge might not be so fun and I have not explored too far up stream from doctor creek bridge. The outfitter might have more info.

[tenrag]

Just googled the name and found out there is a river in north central BC called Finlay....similar spelling to the creek in my neck of the woods.

[decker9]

Iv heard that the upper end of the finlay is to rough to canoe, tight canyons rough water and a good waterfall, but have personally never been there.

[kbellamy]

Check out the book "Finlay's River" https://www.amazon.ca/Finlays-River-R-M-Patterson/dp/1894898389. Very good read, and compiles the accounts of many of the early explorers in that area into one book.

The only completely impassable spot would be the falls right downstream of Thutade Lake, based on the book/pictures, but I believe the road crosses the river below the falls. I've only seen the Finlay from Deserter's Canyon, right before it enters Williston. It doesn't sound like it would be a nice relaxing drift by any means, as it sounds. A few nasty spots from the pictures online, but the old explorers made it both up and down the river in canoes. Its been a while since I looked into it but I think there were a few spots they had to portage (Kodak Cascades, Cascade Canyon, etc), and looking at pictures online they look really nasty. BC Archives has several photos taken by crews going up/down the Finlay and you can find them with Google.

If I have time this summer I want to spend a day or two running my little jet boat up the Finlay and see how far I can get.

[Ryo]

The book is worth reading even if you have no intention of drifting the river!

[Darksith]

Are you referring to findlay creek by Canal Flats? The lower portion near the kootenay river is hairy with falls and deep canyons. A few people have lost their lives over the past couple summers by falling into that water. The upper portion downstream from doctor creek bridge looks decent for a float, above the bridge might not be so fun and I have not explored too far up stream from doctor creek bridge. The outfitter might have more info.

no Im talking north of williston lake

[swampthing]

I met a guy who kayaked it last year. Started below the falls.

[northernbc]

kbellamy I used to know your wife thru work met you, as well I would be a willing swamper if you want one

[nap]

Just a pic of a iffy part of the Finlay river just down steam of Thutade lake.

http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p488/nap-lou/DSCF2583_zpsuhutxuoc.jpg (http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/nap-lou/media/DSCF2583_zpsuhutxuoc.jpg.html)

[nap]

Another
http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p488/nap-lou/DSCF2577_zpss0idk7wz.jpg (http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/nap-lou/media/DSCF2577_zpss0idk7wz.jpg.html)

[Darksith]

haha, yeah that would suck, but is that the last obstacle or just one of several?

[RiverOtter]

I dunno 'Sith, looks to me like there's a doable canoe line, just to the right of that snow covered nugget......:lol:

Few things I respect more than big water........

[kbellamy]

Thats the first waterfall, the one I said would be impassable. Its just down from the lake, and I believe the bridge is below those falls.

[nap]

Thats the first waterfall, the one I said would be impassable. Its just down from the lake, and I believe the bridge is below those falls.

I thought the one I posted was the one closest to the lake, I am thinking this one is about 5 or 6k from the lake

[kbellamy]

Nap - we are talking the same falls. They are called Cascadero falls. The road crosses the Finlay just upstream of the Firesteel. So to drift the river you don't need to worry about them, if you launch by the Firesteel. However, look up Kodak cataract, reef canyon, and cascade canyon on the finlay. I believe those would be your problem locations, based on water levels, skill, courage and type of boat your drifting. And they are extremely remote, so help would be awhile to get there.

Pictures here: http://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/frank-cyril-swannell-fonds/digitalobject/browse?page=9&sort=identifier&limit=30

they will be in the first 20 or so pics.

[nap]

Nap - we are talking the same falls. They are called Cascadero falls. The road crosses the Finlay just upstream of the Firesteel. So to drift the river you don't need to worry about them, if you launch by the Firesteel. However, look up Kodak cataract, reef canyon, and cascade canyon on the finlay. I believe those would be your problem locations, based on water levels, skill, courage and type of boat your drifting. And they are extremely remote, so help would be awhile to get there.

Pictures here: http://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/frank-cyril-swannell-fonds/digitalobject/browse?page=9&sort=identifier&limit=30

they will be in the first 20 or so pics.

Thanks, nice pictures in that link.

[Cordillera]

It has been kayaked and rafted but..... The rafters did a Heli portage of cascade canyon and the kayakers also chose discretion over valour. And the kayakers have done lots of class five stuff. However most of the rest is fine for a decent river rafter or advanced canoeist. Not a float. Send me a pm if you want to to talk to someone who has actually been there.