The run down the North Thompson River from McLure to Kamloops is about 36 km.   We launched from the McLure Ferry on the west side in our ocean-going kayaks.

In high water, the river runs faster and all the island channels open up.   We immediately chose the channel behind a larger island and we continued to take these types of channels all the way down the river.   The river was running quickly, and we were in no hurry, but we still averaged 9.6 km/hour, about twice as fast as steady paddling on flat water.

The North Thompson has many gravel and sand shoals which are a danger to power boats, but pose no hazard to shallow-draught kayaks.   There was some swirling water and some spots of fast-running water, but the route down the North Thompson is a pleasant route, best suited to longer boats and experienced paddlers, but relatively easy for most of the route.

The one challenging area is the Heffley Rapids.  Just below the Jamieson Creek outlet, the river moves quickly and crosses rocky ground resulting in sections of rapids over a one kilometer distance.   The first rapid is usually the biggest one and it is best to pick a good route through standing waves, intersecting side channels, and bumpy sections.   It is possible to be flipped over (I was a few years ago), so care and precision is needed.    It is usually a lot of fun and more exciting than the long sections of slow water, but the Heffley Rapids are not for inexperienced paddlers.   Even having done this a few times, we usually stop at a small beach above the rapids and then we walk the shoreline to scout out a good route.

In fast water, the route from the McLure Ferry to Harrington Road in Westsyde took only 4 hours.  There is a lot of slow-moving water from Heffley to Westsyde, but there is nowhere to land so the last section is a leisurely paddle to the landing.   We find the river to be quiet, scenic, and interesting.   The North Thompson has back eddies, channels, islands, swirling water, a few rapids a lot of hidden beaches, and more opportunities for wildlife sightings.   The river is navigable in a kayak from above Clearwater all the way to Kamloops, but it is rare to see a paddler on the river.   Our next trip will be a long route from Clearwater all the way to Kamloops, with an overnight stay on islands in the middle of the river along the way.