Flow Information: Usually run in the summer or early spring, but it depends a lot on how much it's been raining and temp. There's no gauge but if there is a nice little wave train just 50m up Wilson Creek Forest service road from the hwy 6 bridge, it's usually good to go. Higher flows (late June-July) make for some nasty holes in the canyon and the waterfall section is much harder.

Getting there: Wilson Creek empties into Slocan Lake at the little hamlet of Rosebery, (45kms south on Hwy 6 from Nakusp,) near the north end of the lake. If you come down the hill from the north just turn up the Wilson Creek FSR at the log dump. The take out is right before the hwy 6 bridge but pull well into the take out and check for logging trucks as you gear up. The put in is at the bridge over Wilson Creek 11.5 km up this road. If you don't already have one, go out and buy a "Back roads of BC" map book, it rocks for finding out of the way stuff.

Run Description: This is a true Kootenay gem and I can't beleive you don't already have it! It takes about 3.5- 4hrs to fully have a fun and safe run, more if there is more than four boaters.

It's usually a good idea to check out the situation at the begging of the lower canyon in order to get a gauge on what’s happening. This is also a nice 2- 2.5 hr run and fun at higher levels. At roughly 6.8 km there is a older clear cut down to the river, park on the right and follow the edge of the cut down to check for wood at the little tree island cascade. This is usually a trouble spot but the lines are there...

Then walk downstream about 100m to the begging of the lower canyon. Check out the hole on river right created by the shelf that juts out and take a peak down there for some more wood.
You could hike down at 8.5km to check out the falls, if its pumpin down through the canyon, and no-one in your group has run it before, then it might be a good idea. At higher flows there is a good chance that you'll miss the eddy as be swept right through and miss all the fun.

Just down from the put in, Fitzstubbs creek joins in, and there is chance for a little warm up and time for ogling at the scenery. Don't get too slack as there is a heinous log jam looming around a tight left hander. It lookes river wide but can be run tight to the left around the big rock. After approx 2 kms of steadily increasing rapids there is the first horizon line 4m water fall drop. Scout on the left or right, but stay away from river left. Usually everyone has trouble with the holes right above the eddy so pay attention. The pool is deep though. The right to middle is good in med to low flows. About 75m down is the next one, a slightly more technical 3m cascade with an S bend. Scout on the right. Try your luck here or face the brutal hike up and over. There is a nice seal launch after the manky-mank on the right.

With the exception of a few spots in the lower canyon, the rest is pretty much read and run, definately spread out so not everyone gets smeared under the log at the same time though...

Other Information: Bring a camera and some food as it's in keeping with the Slocan vibe to take your time and enjoy this free flowing beauty. If you really want to make yourself feel like havin’ an involuntary bowel movement, then drive up 1.5km past the put in and giant fuel tank, and park or try to 4X up the first little road on the right. At the top of the hill before the next switch-back, look for a trail leading down towards the ominous thundering. This is a super sketch trail 200ft above the 20m Wilson Creek falls, and offers a look at something truly massive. I beleive this is still un-run as the lead in looks pretty gnar. Mighty impressive. At the put in there is another trail that leads to the bottom of the falls that is marked on the side of the FSR.

Check out the best Margaritas around at the WILD ROSE MEXICAN RESTAURANT (358-7744) in Rosebery, just on the other side of the bridge. Open FRI_ SAT SUN 5:00 to 9:00pm
It’s been there for 25yrs and offers crazy good food and service! Muy Bonita’s Senoritas!