Squamish River Flowing into Howe Sound

There's good sea kayaking and canoeing on the Squamish River almost year-round, though you must be wary during high-water volumes. These traditionally occur during autumn storms and spring snowmelt. Two of the best locations for launching and taking out are beside the Squamish River dike on Government Road in the Brackendale neighbourhood, and at the federal dock at the west end of Loggers Lane in downtown Squamish, on the Mamquam Blind Channel. The advantage of launching from the dike is that you have the current in the Squamish running in your favour. Drift downstream past the Squamish Spit into Howe Sound with your binoculars at the ready. There's always something to see along this stretch. If you launch from the federal dock, be prepared to do some steady paddling around the Squamish Estuary to reach the Spit. The afternoon winds tend to kick up quite a chop. Those with open canoes should avoid Howe Sound during these times.

Winter is the best time to walk the dike trail in the Brackendale Eagle Reserve, located farther north on the Squamish River. Short days and low light create an austere atmosphere. Eagles gather in the bare branches of the black cottonwood trees that tower above the Squamish River. The trees stand some distance away on the far shore, across the wide, milk-grey waters. Some trees are decorated with a dozen or more eagles, mute and motionless. As your eyes scan the forest perimeter, you can make out hundreds of such shapes. Although many of the eagles will head north in summer, others nest here year-round, as the bundles of twigs that bulge out near the tops of some of the cottonwoods attest. Equally at home here are the skittish glaucous gulls. If it's a lean winter, their carcasses are just as likely to be on the menu as the salmon carrion left from late fall coho runs on the Squamish River. In the early morning hours, before the daily arrival of bird-watchers, eagles frequent the banks on both sides of the river. Once the admirers appear, the eagles put the river between themselves and the gawkers.

Oregon has the Columbia Gorge, Squamish has the Spit, a long breakwater located at the mouth of the Squamish River. Although not as well known, the Squamish Spit is the launch pad for windsurfers, who rely on its predictable wind, known as a 'squamish,' which blows each afternoon. So strong is the force of the breeze that carries across Howe Sound that unwary windsurfers in the waters off the spit often can't right themselves if they get dunked. An emergency rescue service is on standby to pluck such hapless types from the water. On busy summer weekends, there can be more than a hundred cars parked here. At the very end of the spit is the windsurfer launch area; you can drive to a drop-off point beside it, unload your board, then park.

Freshwater river fishing happens on the Cheakamus River almost year-round. Fishing is strictly catch-and-release on all the rivers and creeks in the Squamish region. Unlike the nearby Squamish River into which it flows, water in the Cheakamus is clear year-round. Anglers cast from the banks of the Cheakamus for coho salmon in October and November, for steelhead from late February to April, and for dolly Varden char year-round.

Nearest Towns: Squamish, Garibaldi Highlands, Howe Sound, Sea to Sky Highway

Nearest Lake: Lake Lovely

Nearest Parks:
Stawamus Chief Provincial Park
Lake Lovely Water Recreation Area
Tantalus Provincial Park