Nicola is a large, windy, and busy lake so we paddle it at strategic times. There are 3 launch areas on the east shore of the lake and of the three, we enjoy the north end of the lake the most. Another fine paddling area is along the west shoreline, south from Monck Park. There are several launch spots in …Continue reading…
A few tips on planning for the portage to Murtle Lake. An Overview The portage is 2.5 km. There are small several hills along the gravel path. At the launch area is the registration kiosk, a rack for carts, and rental equipment, but there are no staff there. The launch beach has a dock and a rocky beach (Parks should …Continue reading…
I paddle the river early in the season, then as the ice comes off the lakes, I paddle the lower lakes like Jacko Lake, Paul Lake, Pat Lake, and Trapp Lake. As the weather warms I do a circuit of lakes which usually includes Stump Lake, Roche lake, Bleeker Lake, Scuitto Lake, Campbell Lake, Lac le Jeune, Stake Lake, Pass …Continue reading…
Surrey Lake lies at 1397m just off the Surrey Lake Forest Service Road, about 9 km up from the Logan Lake Road. The best access is to take the road which leads to the fishing resort, but turn right onto a side road that goes around the west shore. Park and do a hand launch at one of several spots …Continue reading…
I took the water taxi from the campground area at the end of Clearwater Lake to the Rainbow Falls Marine Campsite on Azure Lake and paddled back to the start. In the first day, I paddled my kayak for 15.5 km to Four and a Half Mile Campground in stormy conditions. On the next morning I paddled for 5.7 km …Continue reading…
When the weather gets hot an option is to drive to the high country (4000 feet+) and paddle one of the lakes, then go for one of the hikes nearby. On this blue sky hot day, I paddled twice around Stake Lake, then hiked a snowshoe route nearby. It was an early morning start and winds are usually calm until …Continue reading…
Although Roche Lake is a fine lake to paddle, it can be a busy spot. it is one of a few “trophy lakes” for fishing and there are two campsites on the shores of the lake. It is a busy lake on weekends in the summer. In early season too, when the ice comes off, fishermen are plentiful on the …Continue reading…
I camped at Big Bar Lake Provincial Park to hike trails in the Marble Range, but I also paddled Big Bar Lake. In sunny weather I paddled 3 times, doing the whole lake (12 km), with some sections twice. With creeks running off limestone mountains, Bit Bar Lake is a marl lake with clear water shoals. There were 4 pairs …Continue reading…
I drove up the Paul Creek Valley toward Paul Lake, then followed Paul Creek to Pinantan Lake, and continued into the hills following Paul Creek up the Hyas Lake Road to the source of the creek, Hyas Lake at 1234m (4050 feet). The gravel road climbs for 8 km through a maze of backroads with little helpful signage. If you …Continue reading…
I paddle a circuit of lakes in the spring and summer. Lac le Jeune can be paddled in a day, but this year i paddled the west end, including the passage under the bridge and the little lake on one day and I paddled the east end on another day. I launched off the beach at the campground, paddled across …Continue reading…
Neskonlith Lake is a 40 minute drive from Kamloops. Access to the lake is through Neskonlith Provincial Park. There is a hand launch spot not far past the first campsites. I launched my kayak on a mild June day and paddled clockwise around the lake. A circuit of the whole lake is 11.5 km and that goal is best done …Continue reading…
Every year I drive the backroads (38 km) up to Red Lake and paddle the 8.5 km shoreline. Since its a popular fishing lake, I try to go early on a weekday. When I arrived at the boat launch there were only 3 other boats on the lake, a quiet paddle in the high country. There are 3 launch spots …Continue reading…
On an overcast day, I launched my kayak at the Tranquille Wildlife Management Area parking pullout and paddled out into Tranquille Bay. With no wind the skies were reflected in the calm floodwaters. There are many route choices possible during freshet, but on this day I kayaked down to Cooney Bay and back. At the mouth of Tranquille River, eagles …Continue reading…
Jacko Lake is a very popular fishing lake and since it is one of the first to be ice-free, it will be a busy place in spring before the other lakes open up. On weekends and in prime times it stays busy right up to summer. When I paddle the lake I go early in the morning and paddle around …Continue reading…
When rain is forecast we sometimes can paddle early, before the rain and wind starts. On this June day, I was on Paul Lake early and paddled up wind to the end of the lake. A mother loon had 2 babies on its back when I paddled up the lakeshore, but when I got closer, the two little ones …Continue reading…
When the weather is doubtful for paddling, we head up the Lac le Jeune Road and pick a lake on the route. Inks Lake, Jacko Lake, MConnell Lake, Lodgepole Lake, Stake Lake, Lac le Jeune, Walloper Lake, and Paska Lake offer multiple choices if rain or wind is an issue. At prime times, Jacko and McConnell are not as good …Continue reading…