Nice movie, and I can testify that it doesn’t do justice to how big the waves truly are. In 2008 I think me and a buddy launched a two person sit-on-top Hobie kayak (with the horribly tippy hull design) from the lake at the head of the river, in early June. As we neared the head of the river we started to hear a roar but weren’t smart enough to scout it. We made it through the first set of rapids, then ended up in a second set of huge rollers that we couldn’t see over the tops from the troughs. We tipped somewhere there, and I tried to hangon to the boat in order to bring it to shore but it was just keeping me in the middle of the river heading for a far high bank on the east side of the river, so I let go and swam for my life. I called for my buddy a couple times but only received a mouthful of water in return so assumed he was a goner. I washed up onshore and there about 50’ down was my buddy, and he had somehow saved his paddle, which I had instructed him to do in our pretrip safety meeting. I told this story at his funeral a few years later and we all had a laugh. This episode gave me quite a scare and I’ve only just started getting back into boating 10 years later. I would not recommend the Lillooet River to anyone inexperienced in whitewater.
I would like to add that we walked thru the bush barefoot (as we had lost everything) to a native hamlet of sorts. A couple graciously gave us a ride back to our white truck up the lake. If you read this, thanks again..
We started from Lillooet Lake Bridge and were planning to ride it all the way down to the next bridge before Harrison Lake. But after the accident we lost confidence and finished at Skookumchuk Hot Springs. One crew gave it up two kilometers before it and finished it on foot. Next spring we will try again I guess. The biggest rapids are supposed to be a couple kilometers after Skookumchuk Hot Springs. In July at high water they looked pretty nasty - but with the inflatables doable I guess.
We didn´t check the current flow. The banks were flooded though and the water was full of silt from melting. According Ondřej the water level two years ago was even higher. But the main difference were the boats. Inflatables were perfect. With open canoes not a chance. If you go there respect the power of water. The Lillooet is really wide and big, water can be very turbid. Some whirlpools were pretty nasty... With caution it is a great fun though...
I wouldn´t try the Lillooet with a classic open canoe! At least at highwater not good idea! You would most likely end up in the water. It may not seem on the video (because the camera has fish eye) but the river is really wide and big and current very strong and intimidating. There are some strong whirlpools at high water,.. But it´s great river! Have luck, enjoy it, and if you remember post it here how was it! I would appreciate that.
