Quesnel was founded by gold miners in 1861 and although there’s little of the precious metal left in the region, there’s still a gem hiding in the valley north of the city called Cottonwood River. It’s only 20 kilometres long but this river is a must-stop spot for intermediate to advanced kayakers who love their water white and their rapids rapid. Depending on the section, paddlers can expect class III-IV whitewater, constricted drops, and features with such memorable names as “Honest Gamble,” “Take Me Home Sweet Jesus,” and “Surprise.”