Similkameen River - Bromley to Stemwinder

Contributed by David Wortley
What It's Like
Great novice run with warmer water than the coast
Class
II (III)
Scouting / Portaging
Easy
Time
1-2 hours
When to Go
Late Spring, early summer
Gauge
5.47cms↓ (Nov 20 23:15)
Directions:
From Vancouver take Hwy 1 and 3 to Princeton (280km). From Princeton drive 21km east on Hwy 3 to Bromley Rock Provincial Park. Park at the day use area for the put-in. To reach the take-out continue for 12k, east on Hwy 3 to Stemwinder Provincial Park located 1.5km after a bridge across the Similkameen.

Level:
Low 30cm/s
Medium 50cm/s
High 100cm/s

Description:
This is a great run for novices. At medium levels there are lots of wave trains, some boulders and holes to avoid. At higher levels most features wash out. About 2/3 of the way own the run is the only class III drop, "Golden Dawn". It can be scouted and portaged on the left. The weather is usually friendlier and the water is warmer than on the coast.'

Golden Dawn


Typical Similkameen Scenery