Rabbit Island was formed by the accumulated sediments from the North and South Thompson rivers downstream from the confluence.   The east end has more of the heavier gravel deposits and the north side has more of the sands and silts.   Over a long period of time the sandbars have built up on the north side to create a shallow channel between McArthur Island and the above-water island.   Channels into the island flood during freshet.   In late fall through early spring the river volumes decrease enough to expose wide sandy beaches.   In late winter and early spring it is possible to walk from McArthur Island to Rabbit Island.

The narrowest part of the channel is only about 6m wide and the water is only mid-calf deep.   We crossed the cold water channel in water shoes and then changes into dry shoes on the other side.

The  wide sand beaches had many bird tracks, but we also spotted tracks of ducks, deer, and coyote.

The beach on the north side of the island is the best one in the area, a wide shelf of fine sand.

Farther west some ice still lingered in the channel between the islands.

Large willows and cottonwoods grow along the banks of McArthur Island.

At the end of Rabbit Island a sandy point is the western edge on the downriver side.

At low water even the river navigation buoys were high and dry.

The main river channel is on the south side of the island.   The water is deeper and moves more quickly.    The banks of the island are steeper on that side.

The island itself is [private property but all the sand shelves, gravel bars, and banks are below the high water mark, accessible to hikers.   The interior of the island is covered in grass and water-tolerant trees and shrubs.   In high water we have paddled our kayaks right into the interior of the island from the north side.

Wildlife signs were noted on several places on the island shoreline.

A number of geese were preparing to nest on the island shoreline.

At the southeast corner there are sandy and gravelly shelves extending 300m upriver.

With the expanded island at this time of year, the entire hike was 5.2 km, a quiet outing right in the middle of the City.

More Information:

• Rabbit Island Loop (kayaking)
• Rabbit island Walk