Map of the Elk River (PDF)

Home , Elkford, Massive Mountain, Mount Fernie, Mount Little, Mount Louis, Mount Phillips (Canada)

Round Prairie Put-in P ROUND PRAIRIE

River Walk Y Trail A W H F IG OR H DIN G G N I R D IV R E O R SERVICE ROAD F McGaulley’s ELK LAKES FOREST 43 Elkford Josephine Falls Boat Launch Trail Take out Elkford P recommended Wapiti Aquatic Centre Josephine Ski Hill Falls Boivin Creek Trail

River ay Trail

K Alpine W EE BOIVIN CR

LOG JAM AREA

Sulphur Springs

CHALLENGING LOG JAM

S U L P H

Elk Valley . Regional Park

R E IV R G CLASS II+ IN D (PRIVATE) RAPID R NE RD. II+ O EEK MI IN HIGH WATER F LINE CR CLASS II+ ROCK LEDGES II+ LINE CREEK IN HIGH WATER P Line Creek Boat Launch

The Big Ranch Conservation Area

Grave Lake

Elk Valley Regional Airport

ALLEY RD.

LOWER

ELK V

LOTS OF WOOD LOG JAMS

43 ( CU WI MM LSO IN N) GS CR EE CLASS III IN K III HIGH WATER Round Prairie P Put-in Cypress ROUND PRAIRIE Trail Put in Limited parking Walking only Matevic Draw Trail HIGH ROCK Sparwood BRIDGE River Walk Y Trail A Put-in W H F IG OR H DIN G G N I R D IV R E O R SERVICE ROAD F ICHEL McGaulley’s M ELK LAKES FOREST 43 Lilac C Elkford Trail R Josephine Falls E Boat Launch Trail P Pine Take out E Elkford P recommended Ave Aquatic Centre K Wapiti Josephine Sparwood Leisure Centre Ski Hill Falls Boivin Creek Red Trail T Cedar Dr O A River L ay B Trail E

K Alpine W EE R BOIVIN CR T 3 A

Elk River Trail

LOG JAM AREA

Sulphur Springs

CHALLENGING LOG JAM

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Elk Valley . Regional Park

R E IV R G CLASS II+ IN D (PRIVATE) RAPID R NE RD. II+ O EEK MI IN HIGH WATER F LINE CR CLASS II+ ROCK LEDGES II+ LINE CREEK IN HIGH WATER P Line Creek Boat Launch

The Big Ranch Conservation Area

Grave CLASS II RAPID II Lake Olsen’s Gravel Pit

Elk Valley P Regional Airport Boat Launch Ingham Highway #3 Rest Area Ladner

ALLEY RD.

Creek LOWER Waterfall ELK V

HERON RAPID II CLASS II LOTS OF WOOD LOG JAMS

43 ( CU WI MM LSO IN N) GS CR EE CLASS III IN K III HIGH WATER

HOSMERCypress Trail

Put in CAUTIONLimited parking Walking only P Matevic Draw Trail HIGH STRONG CURRENT ROCKON RIVERSparwood LEFT Hosmer UPSTREAM OF HOSMERBRIDGE Put-in BRIDGE MICHEL Lilac C Trail R E P Pine Av E e K Sparwood Leisure Centre

Dr Boat Launch Red H T O Cedar O S A M LB E E R R 3 T CR 3 A EE Elk K River Trail

GHOSTRIDER RAPID ROCK SHELF II CLASS II RAPID II 5 Tips to play safe on Olsen’s Gravel Pit FA P the Elk River IR Olsen’s Gravel Pit Boat Launch Y II • Know where you are going and be aware of hazards C to Hosmer Ingham Highway #3 1 R Class II • 9 km • Approx. 2hrs Rest Area i.e. rapids, sweepers and logjams. Stay to the inside E Ladner on sharp corners to avoid colliding with woody debris. E 3 This section provides a scenic paddle by Creek K Waterfall If you do collide with debris, climb on top to avoid P DANGEROUS Ladner Creek waterfall, some great fishing LOG JAM and fun Class II rapids suitable for a drift getting trapped under water. North Fernie Bridge boat, kayak, canoes or SUPs. Be aware of the 2• Always wear a PFD/lifejacket and shoes for walking LOGS ON logs on the outside of the some of the bends HERON RAPID on rocks and pushing off obstacles. Put-in BRIDGE NORTH and avoid river left as you approach the II CLASS II FERNIE Hosmer bridge due to a power hydraulic. 3• If you end up in the water, swim defensively on your BRIDGE In this section you may keep 1 trout/char per back with feet downstream avoiding obstacles like Maiden Old rocks, trees and logjams where you can easily get Lake Stumpy day (none under 30 cm). Trail pinned. Annex Park HOSMER P P CAUTION 4• Be prepared for cold water and changes in weather 11th St. STRONG CURRENT ON RIVER LEFT conditions. There is a high risk of hypothermia if part UPSTREAM OF HOSMER BRIDGE FERNIE LOGS ON Ave. or all of your body is in the Elk River for a length of BRIDGE Hosmer 2nd time. Boat Launch HOS ME West Fernie 3 R C 5• Lose the booze and keep a clear head. You might Historic RE WEST FERNIE EK need it to help a friend or avoid a bad situation. BRIDGE 4th St. Downtown Fernie Celebrate your float or paddle on a warm sunny beach Aquatic Centre or deck afterward. P COAL CREEK Dogwood Park Boat Launch James ROAD Hosmer to Dogwood Park Fernie Island Lake White C II Class II • 14.5 km • Approx. 3hrs Park OA General Elk River Lodge PROVINCIALMT. FERNIE P Mount Fernie 3 L CREEK There are some braided areas and large log jams in this section along Provincial Park P TO with the Ghostrider Wave Class II rapid. Beware of logs as you pass under Fishing Regulations: ARK ROAD Coal the two Fernie bridges. After you pass under the second bridge the take ROAD Creek COKA Heritage out is at the Dogwood Park Boat Launch on river left. There is lots of See the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations for specific Elk River Trail GHOSTRIDER RAPID parking available and a public washroom. Access the Dogwood Park boat tributaries. www.fishing.gov.bc.ca ROCK SHELF P Stanford Inn launch by turning east on 4th St. from highway 3 and then south onto 4th RIVER • The Elk River watershed is known for its world-class fishing. Boat Launch ROAD II Ave. down the hill and follow the gravel road south to the end. Old Townsite In response to high fishing pressure and in order to maintain L FA I I This section is trout/char catch and release only until North Fernie bridge. Z RY the high quality of angling experience, the Elk and its C R A E tributaries have been designated ‘classified waters’ by the E 3 R K P DANGEROUS BC Government. D LOG JAM North Fernie Bridge C LOGS ON • The Elk River is a Class II Water and requires supplementary Put-in BRIDGE R NORTH FERNIE E BRIDGE license to fish. E North Fernie Bridge to Dogwood Park Maiden Old Lake Stumpy K Trail I Class I • 3 km • Approx. 30min Annex • No powered boats on the entire length of the Elk River Park P 11th St. This peaceful section is the only section recommended for floating in tubes on a hot NO FISHING FERNIE LOGS ON Ave. • from April 1 to June 14. BRIDGE 2nd summer’s day. Beware the water stays cold throughout the summer. Parking is very limited West Fernie Historic WEST FERNIE at the highway pull off by the north Fernie bridge. Try accessing the river from Annex park • Single barbless hooks must be used all year. BRIDGE 4th S Downtown t. Fernie instead where parking is available along 12th Ave. There are also some great walk-and- Fernie Aquatic Centre COAL CR P • Elk River has a bait ban June 15-October 31. wade fishing opportunities along Fernie’s extensive dike trail system in this section. Dogwood Park Boat Launch EEK ROAD Alpine Resort James Island Lake White C • Trout/char release June 15-October 31 from: Lower Elk Park OA In this section you may keep 1 trout/char per day (none under 30 cm). Lodge PROVINCIALMT. FERNIE P Mount Fernie 3 L CREEK P TO Lake to Forsyth Cr, from Line Creek bridge to CPR bridge at ARK ROAD Provincial Park Coal ROAD Creek Sparwood, from Hwy #3 bridge at Hosmer to the northern COKA Heritage Trail Hwy #3 bridge at Fernie, AND from the bridge at Morrissey P Stanford Inn RIVER Boat Launch ROAD Old Townsite Public Toilet L to Elko Dam. I Z Legend A R D • Daily quota in open sections June 15-October 31: C Parking R ELK RIVER FISHING, 1) Above the Elko Dam: trout/char =1 (none under 30 cm). P E E Rivers/Lakes P K Dogwood Park to Morrissey TOURISM FERNIE PHOTO 2) Elk River downstream of Elko Dam - trout/char= 1 Hospital / II Class II • 15.5 km • Approx. 3hrs (no cutthroat under 30 cm, no bull trout under 75 cm) Bridge Medical Centre Fernie This section is fairly gentle with a few riffles and makes for a • Trout/char release from November. 1 to March 31. Alpine Resort lovely float winding past ancient cottonwood trees. Watch out Highway Visitor for the sharp bends pulling you to the outside where logs and Info Centre overhanging roots can snag you. There is parking available Road at the Morrissey boat launch. Take a stroll on the Ancient Leisure/ P Morrissey Cottonwood Trail on river left upstream of the Resources Backroad Morrissey Bridge. Aquatic Centre RAFTING, GUIDING, GEAR, RIVER EXPERTISE, Train Tracks In this section you may keep 1 trout/char per day (none under 30 cm). BOAT RENTALS Board Stiff: 542 2nd Ave, Fernie, 250-423-3473 Trail Interpretive Signs Canyon Raft: Canyonraft.com Fernie, 250-423-7226 BLUE HERON MOOSE, Edge of the World: 421B 2 Ave Fernie, 250-423-9292 Attractions MOUNTAIN HIGH RAFTING PHOTO Elevation: 596 2nd Ave, Fernie, 250-423-3328 Camping Elk River Guiding Company: Park 791 7th Ave, Fernie, 250-423-7239 Fernie Wilderness Adventures: SUP THE ELK, TOURISM FERNIE PHOTO Wildlife/ 742 Highway 3 (Park Place Lodge), Fernie, 250-423-6704 Ancient Boat Access Viewing Cottonwood Gear Hub: 401 1st Ave, Fernie, 250-423-5555 Trail put in - take out Kootenay Fly Shop: 821 7th Ave, Fernie, 1-877-423-4483 MORRISSEY Mountain High Adventures: Golf MORRISSEYROAD Morrissey Raftfernie.com, Fernie 250-423-5008 Walking only Ancient P put in - take out Cottonwood Boat Launch FISHING LICENSES: Elkford Mini Mart & Fas Gas: Disc Golf 3 Trail Morrissey to Elko 60 Alpine Way, Elkford, 250-865-2415 Swimming II Class II • 17km • Approx. 5hrs Elk Valley Precision and Cab Inc.: Hole MORRISSEYPicnic Area 719 Douglas Fir Road, Sparwood, 250-425-0083 This section makes for a great full day paddle. Be aware of several large log jams and have Service BC: Greenwood Shopping Mall Suite 96, RIVER ROAD adequate paddling skills to navigate the debris. 101 Red Cedar Dr., Sparwood, 250-425-6890 Fishing Log Jam Be sure not to miss the take out on river right Sparwood Esso: CANOINGMORRISSEY THE ELKROAD Morrissey 111 Aspen Driver, Sparwood, 250-425-2118 P at the Elko bridge as after this is the Elko Dam Regulation Hazard Sparwood Heights Food Store: MORRISSEY and a dangerous whitewater section through the BIG K 105- 1290 Ponderosa Dr, Sparwood, 250-425-2535 Boat Launch LOG JAMS CREE upper canyon. Elk River Guiding Company: River Difficulty This section is trout/char catch and release only. Canoing 791 7th Ave, Fernie, 250-423-7239 Classification III 3 Fernie Wilderness Adventures: 742 Highway 3 L O (Park Place Lodge), Fernie, 250-423-6704 D G Kootenay Fly Shop: 821 7th Ave, Fernie, 1-877-423-4483 Kayaking Waterfall E ELKO TUNNEL, ERIC VIKLUND PHOTO P Service BC: 401 4 Ave (Courthouse), Fernie, 250-423-6845 O

L E VISITOR INFORMATION: F O Elkford Visitor Information Centre: R KAYAKING PHILLIPS CANYON E S 750 Fording Dr, Elkford, 250-865-4015 0 1km 5km 10km T R O Sparwood Visitor Information Centre: A RIVER ROAD D 141 Aspen Dr, Sparwood, 250-425-2423 ELK RIVER, DAVE THOMAS PHOTO Fernie Visitor Information Centre: 1 centimetre = approximately 1 kilometre Two locations: 102 Commerce Rd, Fernie and the Fernie Muse- um in Historic Downtown 778-519-0748 3 www.elkford.ca www.sparwood.ca Y HARVEY PA TO CRANBROOK M ISSE TO SS ORR AND FLATHEAD R www.tourismfernie.com BIG IVER ELKO RIVER ROAD CREEK LOG JAMS P EPOLE Silver Springs LODG CREEK

WARNING P DAM BELOW Elko NO FURTHER D Elko to Lower Elk Canyon ACCESS A V Boat Launch O Class V and VI • 4.5 km R 4WD Elko L M Beware, this section has many waterfalls 93 Take out V O A VI W G and class V/VI rapids that are not DI

recommended. No public access as it VI W 5 Fishing Friendly Tips WIGWAM G RIVER R crosses BC Hydro private property. ET A O M Fish experience stress when they are caught that can cause Kokanee P C C A short and long term effects on their health, especially later Spawning O R B E Late Summer K IN E in the summer when water temperatures rise. Help keep the E K E ROLLER MOUNTAIN HIGH RAFTING PHOTO L R P / B C TO USA BORDER COASTER IV A fish of the Elk River healthy by eliminating contact with dry E I N IV S G U . RAPID S surfaces, minimizing air exposure and reducing handling. M D H O R KIK F O KI E CLASS III/ IV KO GAT IV O R • Reduce fight duration. Land your fish quickly without MUN NEW RAPID N 1 R Kikomun R playing it to exhaustion. E D Cutt’s Creek S Boat Launch Provincial T 2• Fish barbless hooks. It is the rule to only use barbless Park eek Rd CLASS III R hooks in the entire Elk River Watershed. If you see a barb RAPID III O Kikomun Cr on a hook, crimp it. Barbless hooks cause less damage to Kikomun A Boat Launch J a fish’s mouths and to your fingers! A Lower Elk Canyon to Hwy 93 Take Out D F F III 3• Use a rubber net. Rubber nets are less abrasive to fish, R PHILLIP’S CANYON Class III/IV • 13.5 km • Approx. 3.5hrs A Baynes Y HORIZON LINE reduce handling time and allow the fish to recover in the Lake B IV CLASS IV This section winds through a scenic canyon with exciting Sharpe Rd. AY LANDSLIDE water while unhooking or photographing. Loop Rd. NE whitewater suitable for experienced paddlers in rafts or kayaks. S LA . RAPID IV KE RD CLASS IV IV Rafting companies provide tours of this section. You can bike or hike 4• Keep the fish wet. Touching fish with dry surfaces can to the confluence of the Wigwam and Elk rivers for walk-and-wade damage their protective mucus and make fish more L DISNEYLAND RAPID a VAN’S HOLE III CLASS III fishing. The take out is just past the highway 93 bridge on river left. susceptible to diseases. Always try to land fish in the k CLASS III III e P In this section you may keep 1 trout/char per day (no cutthroat water, wet your hands prior to handling fish, hold fish in or Waldo K Boat Launch 3 under 30 cm, no bull trout under 75 cm). UNDERWATER BULL, slightly above the water, not over the boat or land. o TOURISM FERNIE PHOTO o

c WIDE LOAD RAPID 5• Photograph fish wet. Minimize air exposure by keeping a III+ CLASS III+ ARVEY TO CRANBROOK n TO H PASS the fish’s gills and mouth underwater as much as possible.

u FISH OF THE ELK RIVER Underwater photos look amazing! If a fish is momentarily s Images © Joseph R. Tomelleri. ND FLATHEA a A D R IVtakenER out of the water, keep it as close to the water as ELKO possible and let the photographer call the shots – 1, 2, RIVER ROAD 3…raise the fish….and click. P Highway 93 BULL TROUT WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT Salvelinus confluentus GEPOLE C KOKANEE | LOncorhynchusOD nerka REE Silver Springs Oncorhynchus clarkii Large head and jaws, green to greyish-blue, ROCKY MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH K Take Out Prosopium williamsoni Non-breeding bright silver, dark grey to blue Dark irregular spots, red slash on side flanks with yellowish orange spots, no black back, dark marks on dorsal fin, during fall of head, spawn in spring spots on dorsal fin, spawn in fall Silver with large scales, olive green shade spawning crimson red with green head, found on dorsal fin, spawn in fall in lower Elk below Elko dam WARNING Blue-listed species of special concern Blue-listed species of special concern P DAM BELOW Be in the know on The Elk River Elko NO FURTHER everything Fernie. D Your Alliance aims to ACCESS A promote safe Lodging - Activities - Events Community Boat Launch Dining - Nightlife O and sustainable R Outdoor Store recreational use of 4WD Elko M the Elk River. 93 Take out V TOURISMFERNIE.COM A 1791 9th Ave. Fernie BC • 250-423-4222 Join the feed - #ferniestoke - ferniestoke.com W ELKRIVERALLIANCE.CA canadiantire.ca /FERNIE.CANADA @TOURISMFERNIE /TOURISMFERNIE G I

VI W WIGWAM RIVER R T A O M Kokanee C C Spawning A R B E Late Summer K IN E E K E ROLLER R P / B C TO USA BORDER COASTER IV A I N IV S G U . RAPID S M D H O R KIK O KI E CLASS III/ IV KO GAT IV R MUN NEW RAPID N

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flatwater to pass another boat. to pass another flatwater river lots of standing in the and wade fishers Give walk lines and hooks. to avoid entanglement with room having and privacy of other groups Respect the solitude on the shore. a river experience park on the right hand side with your At boat launches up to put your boat when lining car facing the stream hand side with your car facing away in and on the right boat. water when waiting to pick up your the from Pack River and its banks litter free! Please keep the Elk in. out what you pack moving Give pulling an anchor. before Look upstream boats the right of way. Use a GPS to look for 14 Elk River Geocaches from Use a GPS to look for 14 Elk River Geocaches from the headwaters at Elk Lakes to its mouth at Koocanusa Reservoir. each cache and enter your Solve puzzles with clues from answers to win prizes. Avoid overtaking other paddlers in rapids - wait for paddlers in rapids overtaking other Avoid Glaciers carved out the U-shaped Elk Valley. Today the the Today Valley. Glaciers carved out the U-shaped Elk to Elk Lakes headwaters of the Elk River have retreated Park in the fragmented glaciers of the Petain, Provincial Castleneau, Elk and Abruzzi glaciers. stone” or gravel bed river made The Elk River is a “free on a bed of up of shifting pebble, cobble and boulders gravel, sand, silt and clay. by snow melt peaking The flow of the Elk River is driven mid-June. in late spring between mid-May and biogeoclimatic zones: The Elk River bisects three to just Elkford Montane Spruce is in two locations, from of Elko; Interior- past Sparwood and 5 kms upstream of Sparwood to near Cedar Hemlock 20 km downstream the tunnel south of Morrissey and Interior Douglas Fir of Elko. downstream species that can be seen along the Elk River Threatened American bittern, blue heron, Western toad, Great are: and fisher, Western painted turtle, olive–sided flycatcher, grizzly bear. river with a flow-through The Elk River is a free-flowing dam at Elko using diversion channels to generate electricity. of vertebrate animals can be found in Forty percent riparian habitats next to rivers, lakes and wetlands. channels of the Elk River, Marsh wetlands exist in off by dams built by beavers. These are many created excellent places to view muskrats, river otters, beavers, moose, painted turtles, and a variety of wetland birds. The Elk River has healthy riparian habitat. During Bottom Assessment, 74% of this the ERA Elk Valley transition zone between the river and drier upland areas and Elko. and undisturbed between Elkford is forested Conservancy of Canada manages the The Nature Draped in near Morrissey. Ancient Cottonwood Trail moss, these 400-year old black cottonwood dense green some of the oldest in the world. are trees T Lilac 3 ss

II+ Dr R K Pine alley LOWER rail Ave T e • • • • • Elk River Geocache outdoor between technology, Geocaching is a cross hunting. exploring and treasure • • Look for details at www.elkriveralliance.ca/elk_river_ geocache River Etiquette River • Interesting Facts 9 Interesting River About the Elk 1 2 3 4 5 6 9 P 1 2 3 4 5 6 9 7 8 E

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IV responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. for the accuracy responsible of the river, the Elk River Alliance or its partners are not the Elk River Alliance or its partners are of the river, judgment for your own safety. Due to the changing nature Due to the changing nature judgment for your own safety. the river, it is likely too high to paddle! Use your best the river, If you see big logs, buildings or cows floating down flow and temperature. High flow is typically May-June. High flow is flow and temperature. Appropriate activities may be affected by may be affected activities change rapids. Appropriate can change river channels, move woody debris and and can change dramatically over time. Flooding DISCLAIMER: The Elk River is a free-stone river DISCLAIMER: The Elk River is a free-stone

3 ROLLERROLLER

DISNEYLAND RAPID DISNEYLAND RAPID

Elko

after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favourable water levels, be impossible. For teams of experts only, danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may and rescue very severe are The consequences of errors danger. exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and unpredictability of difficulty, exemplify the extremes and practiced rescue skills are essential. skills are and practiced rescue These runs have almost never been attempted and often difficult even for experts. Proper equipment, extensive experience, difficult even for experts. Proper Class VI - Extreme but may be difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is often and dangerous, but may be difficult. Swims are pools, demanding a high level of fitness. Scouting is recommended pools, demanding a high level of fitness. Scouting is demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between demanding routes. waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, highly recommended. unavoidable may contain large, a paddler to added risk. Drops essential but requires practiced skills. For kayakers, a strong roll is roll practiced skills. For kayakers, a strong essential but requires long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose Extremely make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often assistance for difficult. Group make self-rescue Class V - Expert injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may hazards. Scouting may be necessary the first time down. Risk of hazards. pressure. Rapids may require “must make” moves above dangerous “must make” moves above dangerous Rapids may require pressure. holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under handling in turbulent water. Large, unavoidable waves and Large, handling in turbulent water. group assistance may be required to avoid long swims. assistance may be required group boat precise rapids requiring Intense, powerful but predictable Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but self-rescue rare; Injuries while swimming are Class IV - Advanced large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. large-volume eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on effects eddies and powerful current waves or strainers may be present but can be avoided. Strong but can be avoided. Strong waves or strainers may be present maneuvers in fast current and good boat control required; large large required; and good boat control maneuvers in fast current to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult Rapids with moderate, irregular upper end of this difficulty range are designated Class II+. upper end of this difficulty range are Class III - Intermediate required. Swimmers are seldom injured. Rapids that are at the Rapids that are seldom injured. Swimmers are required. evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are rapids with wide, clear channels which are Straightforward Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue Class II - Novice obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few Class I - Easy

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