| Class: | 4-5 | ||
| Flow: | Spring Snowmelt | ||
| Length: | 20 km | ||
| Time: | 3 days | ||
| Portages: | don't ask | ||
| Gradient: | up to 8 % | ||
| Season: | Spring | ||
| Put-In: | Bedwell Lakes Parking Lot | ||
| Take-Out: | Tofino | ||
| Link: | Google Directions to Put-In | ||
| Link: | Map Quest | ||
| River Daddy/Mom: | JanD |
Interactive map:
Map script: techrageo
Back to: Overview River Map
Run description:
The Moyeha is an awesome three day wilderness trip if you like to hike and experience real wilderness. It only gets three stars since the whitewater is not very clean and there was lots of wood. However, it is one of the best trips I have done on the island.The Moyeha is the last completely unlogged watershed on Vancouver Island and one of the most beautiful places I have been able to visit (anywhere).
Go to the parking lot for the Bedwell River trail. Hike up the road to Jim Mitchell Lake. From there hike over the obvious (on the map) pass into the Moyeha Valley. There are no real trails. Try to hit it when there is still snow on the first stretch up to Jim Mitchell. This will make the hike easy. The hike takes about 12 hours. You will follow a creek down until it gets very steep and waterfalls go into the Moyeha. Here, pick up a trail that goes along the Moyeha. Cross the samll creek and hike for another 4 hours until you can easily access the river. Put in and paddle!
A full day of steep creeking and lots of wood gets you to some nice gravel bars, ideal for camping. The next day will have some more whitewater, and some portaging. At the mouth, your power boat pickup will hopefully wait for you and in nice weather you can even make it to the hot springs to chill out.
As I said it is not your average kayaking trip but worthwhile if you like wilderness in a pristine, remote watershed with ancient rainforest.