Callaghan Creek

Vitals

Locale: Whistler, British Columbia
What It's Like: Whistler's ultra classic. Clean waterfalls, bedrock and boulder gardens.
Class: IV-V at medium levels.
Scouting/Portaging: Relatively easy, except for portaging the big falls.
Level: Visual gauge at take out.
Time: 30 minutes to a few hours.
When To Go: Reliable season from May through September - runs after rain in the off season.
Info From: Many visits.
Other Beta: None.
Map: Click here for a map of the river zone.

Description

Callaghan Creek is currently under direct threat for hydro development. Please visit the Save the Callaghan Facebook page for the latest info, and to log your use of the creek!

Callaghan Creek is one of the classic rivers that makes Whistler and southwest BC such a fantastic whitewater kayak destination. It's often the first stop for and is a must do for anyone on a tour of the coast. It's the best after work run for Whistler locals, and people close enough to drive there quickly - once you boof the clean waterfalls you'll know why. Arguably the best whitewater kayak river in a zone that is packed full of classic whitewater, the Callaghan is a river not to be missed.

The Callaghan is runnable at a broad range of flows (making it appropriate for kayakers with a broad skill range), though it does get too high and too low. For many years prior to 2013 there was not useful gauge aside from just knowing from experience what is good. In early 2013, local Greg Dashper installed a staff gauge at the take out (just upstream of the rock outcrop most people climb out on in the Cal-Cheak campsite) that makes understanding flows much easier. Generally speaking, heat waves and the first few weeks of snowmelt in late May and early June aside it is usually runnable for the whole summer, typically on the low side in August. Early info from the new gauge suggests 2.55 is low, 2.8 is medium and anything over 3.0 is high (will be updated when more data is collected, perspective of local boaters who prefer the river with more flow). If you're still unsure about flows, check with a local. Just be warned that some of the locals run the Callaghan at huge levels that aren't appropriate for a first trip down so be sure to get an honest opinion from them.

Part of the popularity of the Callaghan is the ease of access. The take out is just south of the highway 99 bridge over the creek. Take the Daisy Lake FSR turn off the 99 (downstream, river left - follow the signs for Whistler Bungee). Immediately on your right is the Cal-Cheak Campsite - park in the big open parking lot. In late 2012 the original put in on river left became inaccessible after the logging road to the river was decommissioned. The put in is now accessed on the paved river right road. At the 4 km mark from highway 99, just past Etna Creek, is a small road with ample roadside parking that leads to the river. Walk down the road, take the first left and head downhill to the river. You'll reach the river just above the old put in.

The toughest whitewater on this run is in the first 500 meters. Just below the put in is a big ledge with a bad hole - run it far right - if you can't get far right portaging is recommended. Boulder rapids lead into the waterfalls - you'll find a 12-15 foot falls with the iconic 20-25 footer shortly after. The rapid in between is the high water limiting factor on this river - a huge hole develops right above the big one.

Below the waterfalls the river changes to continuous boulder rapids with a few big ones in the mix. At a gradual bend to the left you'll see a large pile of logs on river right - eddy out on the right by the logs - this is Old Dirty Bastard, the biggest non-waterfall rapid. The line involves paddling in and holding on. After more boulders and a bit more bedrock you'll all too soon pass under the highway and get to the take out. Hope you have some gas left in the tank because you'll definitely want to run this one again.