The Bedwell River is the premiere multiday mission on Vancouver island, with a very challenging hike in to run a short section of beautiful whitewater through a remote area of Strathcona Provincial Park. Expect to push your physical and mental limits, and to be rewarded by some classic whitewater that is (maybe) worth the hike. The hike/bushwhack takes at least 12 hours to cover 12km, and includes significant elevation change and route finding. The river section is only about 20km, and is comparable in length and difficulty to a Gordon River triple crown. This run was pioneered by island legend Shayne Vollmers.
Flows
Look for the Gold (GOLD RIVER BELOW UCONA RIVER (08HC001)) to be around 100cms off snowmelt for a nice medium low level on the Bedwell, which can usually be found during spring snowmelt in May or June, depending on the snow year.
Pacfish also maintains a staff gauge on the lower Bedwell River. Good levels may be between 0.6-1.0m, however this gauge is not regularly calibrated.
Shuttle
The shuttle is 5 hours each way, so you are going to want to find a shuttle driver or two. Start the hike at Bedwell Lakes trailhead in Strathcona Provincial Park, found past the south end of Buttle Lake, by branching off BC Highway 28 NW of Campbell River. Takeout is by chartered water taxi from the Bedwell River mouth to Tofino, at the terminus of BC Highway 4.
Hike In
Hike up the Bedwell Lakes Trail switchbacks, up at least 400m elevation gain, topping out at a 950m high pass in the subalpine. Depending on snow and ice conditions, either cross Baby Bedwell and Bedwell Lakes, or else route find around the east side of the lakes. After this comes the most difficult part of the trip, a faintly marked route descending the river left side of the uppermost Bedwell River valley down to a huge landslide and avalanche path. If you find the dangerous log crossing of K2 Creek, you are on the right track. You will probably reach the avalanche path late on one of the hottest afternoons of the spring, but will be too tired to care about the overhead hazard. There is a small rocky camp on the far side that is just outside of the path. Not far below here, an overgrown and washed out logging road leads the rest of the way to the put in at 250m elevation, on river left just above You Creek. Between the landslide and the normal You Creek put in is exploratory class V whitewater.
On the water
Below You Creek is several kilometres of braided class I-II full of wood, and excellent camp options. After a small pond, the whitewater begins but quickly leads to the first portage around a stout drop that often has wood, best portaged on river right along the overgrown logging road. The rest of the whitewater is mostly class III-IV, with a few harder rapids mixed in, and about four normal portages to look out for in total. The final portage is around Bedwell Falls, best portaged on river left around a series of gnarly drops. From the foot bridge the river eases off to class I-II down to the estuary with more great camp options. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is located on river right near the river mouth and includes several private lots and crown tenures. A potential water taxi pickup spot is on a small beach just past their private dock. Then it's a short cruise to some well deserved beer and tacos in Tofino.
Starting the hike at the Bedwell Lakes trailhead.
Hiking up the Bedwell Lakes trail.
Crossing Baby Bedwell Lake.
Crossing Bedwell Lake.
Paddling around the edge of Bedwell Lake.
The "descent"
Arriving at the landslide late in the evening.
Looking back up the slide path on a bigger snow year.
Hiking down to the river.
Put in on river left of Bedwell River just above You Creek confluence.
Braided class I-II below You Creek.
Mariner Mountain
Looking back up at the first portage.
Twin Falls
The runout of the second portage.
The Fold
Looking down into the third portage, a river wide sieve.
One of several boulder garden sections towards the end.
Starting the fourth portage around part of Bedwell Falls.
The main part of Bedwell Falls waiting for a first descent.
Finishing the fourth and final portage around Bedwell Falls.
Staff gauge on the lower Bedwell River at low but fun level of 0.6m.
Ursus Creek
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge dock with a possible water taxi pickup point at the beach on the left/south.
