Tag Archives: rabbit Island

Thompson River Romp

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

The boat launch on McArthur Island had a land-locked muddy pond, then there was a portage out to the river channel.    This access proved to be muddy and a bit difficult.   Once in the shallow channel, I paddled upstream in fast water, over gravel bars and eventually into the main river.    Conditions improved a few hundred meters upstream.

The route was up toward Overlander Bridge, then down the other side of the river around Rabbit Island down to Mission Flats beach, across the river, and then up the channel between McArthur Island and Rabbit Island against the current in faster water.

Moments from the Thompson River Romp are captured in this YouTube video:

To be honest, this wasn’t a great paddle.    The shallow channels were difficult, access to both ends of the lagoon was gone, the skies were smoky, and there was lots of noise from airplanes, trucks, and trains.    Another day of paddling added though, Day 55 this year.

 

‘Round Rabbit

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

On a mid-May morning I launched from McArthur Island and paddled up the Thompson River.    The current was stronger during freshet.   At the east end of the Island, I rounded Rabbit Island.


Paddling down the south side of the island is easy and much faster.

Paddling back upstream is harder and a faster paddling rhythm is required to complete the 4 km loop route:

 

 

Rabbit Island Circuit

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

When the North and South Thompson Rivers rise from the spring melt, the boat launch at McArthur Island can be used to access the Thompson River.

Rabbit Island 001rDuring freshet, the volume of watyer increases and the current is stronger.   Once we enter the river, we look for slower water to progress upstream.   The north side shoreline can be followed towards Overlander Bridge, a good workout.   We enter the main flow and go across the river to come down the channel on the south side of Rabbit Island.   The current is slowest next to the island.

Rabbit Island 005rAt the west end of Rabbit Island, we turn the corner to come back up the shoreline.   The current is slower right next to the island, although the water is quite shallow.   We enjoy paddling right around the island.   When the river is very high, some of the interior channels of the island fill with water and we can explore them (article).

Rabbit Island 012rThe Rabbit Island Circuit is about 6km.   We could do an extra lap around the island or go downstream farther and could easily extend the paddle to 10km.   The upstream sections add a good strength and endurance workout.

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Rabbit Island

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

Rabbit Island sits out in the middle of the Thompson River not too far away from McArthur Island.    Deer overwinter on the island, boaters land here in the summer, and an occasional camper sets up a tent on the island.   The island shrinks from the middle of May to the middle of June.    In late fall to early spring, it is possible to wade through the river channel from McArthur Island.   Much of the middle of the island is open grass and a few trees, but the northeast corner is more dense and the northwest corner is overgrown.

One way to check out Rabbit Island is to launch your boat at McArthur Island and paddle up river to the tip.   The riverbed is higher on the northside and the river tumbles down at the east end to the deeper south side.   If you paddle into the cascade, you will be pulled down and around the south side of the island.     The south shoreline of the island is steeper and this makes a more challenging landing.   Coming around the west end and then up the north side of the island, you will parallel broad sandy beaches.

To explore the island, just beach anywhere on the north side.   Go inland and follow game trails and tracks that wind among the trees and around the low spots.   In the later spring through summer, these are filled with water and in late June, are bug-brewing ponds.

You can paddle about 3.6 km around the island and then hike about 2.5 km on the island for a a day on the Thompson River.

Rabbit Island

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

Paddling out from McArthur Island in high water means paddling vigorously upsteam, but it is quite doable, even past the confluence of the rivers and beyond.   On the way back downstream, the route was down the north side of Rabbit Island.   In winter and early spring, it is possible to wade over to the island in no more than knee-deep water.  At this time the island has in its largest area, with large sandy beaches on the north side.   At high flood, the north side is partly submerged and there are channels through the middle of the island.  The highest and driest spots are on the south side, but a paddler can still beach on the north side directly opposite McArthur Island and hike across the island in a circuit.   Last year’s fire has left some blackened stumps on the south end, but it is still a nice area to visit and linger on the shores on a sunny day.    No rabbits, some deer, lots of birds.    This is a must do for all explorers in the Kamloops area.