Bleeker Lake is a short drive north of Roche Lake. Turn left at the signed Bleeker Lake Forest Service Road before coming to the main right turn to Roche Lake. The end of the lake is only 1 km, but the best place to launch is another kilometer along the north side of the lake at the Bleeker Lake Recreation Site.
It is a long narrow lake offering 5.2 km of paddling.
The two ends of the lake are shallow with lots of millfoil, smartweed, duckweed, and some summer algae growth. Leeches and small fish were visible in the shallows. Ducks, kingfishers, and least sandpipers were also spotted darting in and out of the shallows areas. A number of bleached deadfall snags have fallen into the lake, especially on the south shoreline.
The morning paddle was on a calm, sunny day. A few fishermen were out on the lake too. This is an accessible, quiet lake for paddlers and worth a drive up to the high country. Paddling these upland lakes can be a session of environmental meditation (but watch our for deadheads and cluttered shallows).
Dunn Lake is a picturesque long lake set among steep-sided mountains. To get to Dunn Lake, we went to Little Fort and used the Little Fort Reaction Ferry service, then followed the 7 km gravel road to the Joseph Creek Valley on the north end of the lake.
Right at the junction of roads at the north end of the lake is the Dunn Lake Recreation Site. The launch area is the gravel beach at the bottom of a short, but steep and rough track . We were able to drive down (4WD back up), but low clearance vehicles may want to carry boats down to the water.
There are a small number of seasonal cabins at either end of the lake, but the east and west sides of the lake are unspoiled. We paddled down the deep lake on one side and came back on the other, a 10.3 km route.
There were no winds on this day so the reflections of the hills and the sky made for a tranquil paddle.
Eagles flew overhead, swooping down for fish. Damselflies skittered over the water, hunting for flies. A family of ducks dabbled in the water on the shoreline. Loons called across the Dunn Lake Valley. On a weekday in summer, there were no boats on the lake except for our quiet kayaks.
Roads from Clearwater and from Barriere also lead to Dunn Lake, but there was little traffic in this back valley on the day we were there. We will be returning next month to drive part way up Baldy Mountain which stands above the east shore of Dunn Lake. Our scheduled hike to the top of Baldy will offer views of the lake from above and higher yet, views the other way to the Dunn Peaks and the ranges to the north and east.
After paddling Pillar Lake in the morning, we drove up into the Fly Hills to paddle Bolean Lake. From Falkland, drive south and turn left onto Silvernail Road. Not far up the sidehill, turn left onto (signed) Bolean Forest Service Road and climb the narrow, steep road for 9.5 km. Once onto the Fly Hills Plateau the road levels out. At a signed side road for the Bolean Lake Lodge, turn left. Pass the Lodge and continue along a rough road to the Bolean Lake Recreation Site. There is a good hand launch site there.
Bolean Lake is surrounded by uplands damp forest. The paddle around the shoreline is about 4.2 km.
There were storm clouds all around and some lightning was flashing to both the east and west, but the paddle around the lake was otherwise quiet. A blue heron stood in the shallows, a loon was diving in the lake, and an osprey cruised over the lake looking for fish.
A short distance away are Arthur Lake and Spa Lakes, locations for future paddling explorations.
Pillar Lake is located 11 km north of Falkland. A BC Recreation site right next to the road provides a good launch spot for canoes and kayaks.
Pillar Lake is a narrow lake, but paddlers can cover 5 km by going up one shore and back on the other shore.
Pillar Lake Resort has the only set of buildings on the east side of the lake and there is only one home on the other side of the lake, set high on a hill. For the most part the lake is surrounded by steep forested hills.
From the lake, the Pillar Lake hoodoo (pillar) can be seen standing above the forest on the east side. The trail to the pillar is right above the boat launch.
the pillar
Pillar Lake is an enjoyable lake for an easy day of paddling. We chose to paddle two lakes that day to add some extra distance, driving up to Bolean Lake afterwards before returning home.
Ruckle Provincial Park is a popular camping location on Salt Spring, but the rocky shores make launching and landing difficult, especially for the longer ocean kayaks. Paddling books and websites suggest launching in Fulford or Ganges Harbor, but we found a spot in the park that works fine, with a bit of extra work. We parked at the day-use area and hauled our boats across the lawn, then down a narrow steep path to a small gravel cove.
We were able to launch and land there, even at low tide. From there, we went around Beaver Point then southwest around Eleanor Point toward Fulford Harbor.
This is a scenic route, passing rocky bluffs and small islets. Seals appeared briefly in the water and several were basking in the sun on Jackson Rock.
We were able to land on shell beaches on islets too to take a break and to explore tidal pools. We were amused by the spelling on the sign and we decided to rename the islet “Shoelace Eyelet.”
We enjoyed paddling in Fulford Harbor and returned to paddle there twice more in the week. The only boat we encountered in the Harbour was the ferry to Syndey. We were surprised by how quiet it was and how small a wake it left. Fulford Harbour was a quiet and pleasant paddle each day.
From this launch we could also explore Portland Island to the southeast or Prevost Island (Gulf Islands National Park) to the north, planned for future trips to the southern Gulf Islands.
Nicola Lake is windy enough for the Interior sailing community to have based their activities on the lakeside for 20+ years. The lake is often too windy for paddling, but we can watch the wind forecast and we can pick days to paddle earlier in the morning before afternoon winds arise.
The north end of the lake makes a nice, partly-protected 8-9 km paddle, paddling around both shorelines in a loop.
The lake has steep cliffs on the west side and sloping grasslands on the west side. If conditions are calm enough to appreciate the views, this is a scenic paddling area.
The north end of the lake gives way to wetlands and farmlands.
Along the shoreline red ossier dogwood was in bloom, rabbit brush was starting to flower, and late season wildflowers covered the banks.
red ossier dogwood flowers
red ossier dogwood berries
rabbit brush
common weed with delicate flowers
There is a good launch spot just off the highway with lots of parking. There are more launch spots near the south end too so paddlers can pick one section of the lake and return to Nicola Lake for another day (the entire shoreline is 43 km around).
Kayakers know the favorite local lakes for a good day of paddling. Heffley Lake, Neskonlith Lake, Lac le Jeune, Paul Lake, Johnson Lake, Badger Lake, Stake Lake, Walloper Lake, McConnell Lake, and more. There are a few lesser-know lakes that are are paddling gems too.
Snohoosh Lake
Hummamilt Lake
Ross Moore Lake
Sussex Lake
Courtenay Lake
Frogmoore Lakes
Janice Lake
Hihium Lake
Mayson Lake
The harder they are to get to, the more likely it is less developed and there will be less users on any given day. Overdeveloped lakes have long shorelines of private homes and have a number of power boats or personal watercraft. Most of the lakes listed are in remote or unpopulated areas.
Articles to most of these can be found on the Kamloops Area Lakes page. The list of lakes to be explored yet includes Latremouille Lake, Big Bar Lake, Meadow Lake, Vidette Lake, Saul Lake, Tranquille Lake, Saskum Lake, and a few more….
Salt Spring Island can be used as a basecamp for kayaking in the Gulf Islands. Some of the areas to paddle include Fulford Harbour, Long Harbour, Ganges Harbour, Prevost Island, Wallace Island, and coastline sections wherever a good launch can be found. Paddling out of Ganges Harbour is a good choice early in the morning before the crowds come to the markets and parking will be impossible, let alone getting the boats down to the water. We chose a weekday morning and parked at Centennial Park, hauling boats down the Ganges Centennial Harbour concrete ramp (with permission from the Harbour Authority). We launched into calm waters behind the 150m breakwater, paddling out the entrance channel among a wide assortment of moored vessels.
Ganges Harbour is a busy place and there were many boats heading out and coming in and float planes landing and taking off. The winds were strong from the west too so we had to work hard through incoming waves, watching for all the traffic on the go. By taking a route close to the islands, we had some protection from the wind. Our destination was the Third Sister Island where there is a crushed shell beach on the northwest end of the island.
Locals call this spot Chocolate Beach. We were pleased to be the only visitors to the beach at this time. It can be a busy spot with boaters landing on the beach at high tide on weekends. A trail climbs up the spine of the island with a unique outhouse along the way.
We had lunch on the white shell beach and explored a bit before heading back to Ganges.
This 7 km paddle is the same one that kayak companies offer their clients for a day excursion. On a less windy day, we would have explored the shoreline beyond the islands, but we chose to head back with the winds behind us, staying close to the islands as power boats, fishing boats, water taxis, tugs, float planes, and ferries passed our kayaks.
There are two or three other launch spots for the harbour – one behind Moby’s Pub, one at the end of Churchill Road, and a couple of hand launch spots only suitable for high tide. On a calm day, paddlers could go around into Welbury Bay or Long Harbor (about 10+ km each way or along the south shore toward Yeo Point (10km each way) and beyond to Prevost Island.
We paddled several other spots off the coast of the island and found Fulford Harbour to be the most enjoyable. The whole south end of the island was less busy, but still very scenic.
Kayaking the Gulf Islands requires some good research about launch spots (for both high and low tides), wind and weather forecasts, local currents and open channel conditions, and good kayaks suitable for ocean paddling. Salt Spring Island is a good spot for exploration and we will return to paddle and camp on Prevost and Wallace Islands on a future trip.
Nicola Lake offers kayakers days of paddling, but it is a windy lake so checking the wind forecasts is recommended. Since the lake is too big to paddle the entire shoreline in one day (or even two), we can pick one area for a shoreline exploration of a loop route. One of the best launch spots is at Monck Provincial …Continue reading →
This new website is now ready for the public. Most of the content is now on the site, but further work will continue through the summer. Use the Menu to find information on kayaking in the Kamloops area.
Kamloops Area Lakes
Articles and paddling information on over 80 lakes is provided and it will grow to over 100 with time. Some hidden spots are featured – Hummamilt Lake, Frogmoore Lakes, and Snohoosh Lake, for example.
Kayaking the Rivers
Launch spots, routes, and tips are provided on kayaking our area rivers.
Kayak Camping
Lakes, rivers, and coastal destinations that can be kayaked with marine campsites along the way. A guide to paddle camping is coming too.
Shoulder Season
Where to paddle over the 4 cooler months of shoulder season is provided.
Resources
A few links to resources for kayakers are provided.
To Come
A page on kayak gear will be added with opportunities to link to boats/gear for sale or to advertise gear. A forum will be added if there is enough interest.
Blog posts will follow, some in conjunction with kamloopstrails.net.
The campground at Kentucky and Alleyne Lakes is a good spot for a quiet retreat near smaller lakes, with some pleasant trails and paddling opportunities. We paddled both Kentucky and Alleyne Lakes in the same day.
There are launch spots on both lakes from the campground. the paddle around Kentucky Lake is 4km and the paddle around Alleyne Lake is 3.7 km. Both lakes have a turquoise color and white-mud shoals.
Seven loons escorted us around Alleyne Lake after lunch.
The north end of the lakes is grasslands and part of the Douglas Lake Cattle Company.
The south end of the lakes is surrounded by forest. Both lakes are worth a trip for a day of paddling or for anyone wanting to camp in a pleasant spot in the Southern Interior.
Although we have kayaked most of the lake in the Kamloops area, we have not paddled the smaller lakes with our longer boats. These were saved for outings on a stand-up paddle board. The shoreline of McQueen Lake is about 3km around if we include all the shallow bays.
There are a couple of launch spots just below the Isobel Lake Road providing access into the shallow, mud-bottom lake.
There were some ducks in the shallows and a loon out in the deeper part of the lake. A few marsh wrens and blackbirds were in the reedy areas around the southwest and northeast corner.
There was no one around on a cloudy weekday in July. The lake was peaceful and calm. Much of the lake is quite shallow, but the water was clear. Lots of little swimmers could be seen from the SUP above and a recent hatch provided flies on the surface of the lake, but there were no mosquitoes out.
We have paddled Lac du Bois, Pass Lake, Isobel Lake, and now McQueen Lake. Griffin Lake and Noble Lake are planned for another venture on the SUP.
Our route up to Hihium Lake was from the southwest, so we drove west on the Trans Canada Highway and then turned north onto the Deadman Valley Road. The narrow and sometimes Hihium FSR climbs steeply out of the valley onto the upper plateau, which has been heavily logged and planted. The road was reasonable and we noted signs for Sky High Lodge along the way to help make decisions at intersections. Anyone who takes this road may want to be prepared for active logging or fallen trees. From the Deadman Valley turnoff to Hihium Lake was about 20 km. A short, rough road leads to the Hihium Lake South Recreation Site (watch for signs).
The Hihium Site has 17 camping spots and a boat launch area. We launched out and paddled the lake on a warm day.
The east-west oriented lake lies at 4491 feet (1369m). The east end and west ends are marshy. The outlet is at the west end where Hihium Creek runs down to Loon Creek. This is a fishing lake so there are 3 fishing resorts on the lake and a few seasonal cabins on both sides of the lake. About 80% of the shoreline is just high country forest.
There are a few isthmuses and points to help sheltered paddling if the winds come up. We had only light breezes, but anyone who ventures up there to paddle should check the wind forecast first.
Sunny skies with fluffy clouds make for a great day of paddling. The 12 km route should take about 2.5 hours of steady, rhythmic paddling in a kayak.
We chose to return by the main road into Hihium. We drove on a good gravel road north to a junction, then turned west on a rougher road down to Loon Lake and down to Highway 97 (60 km) then back to Cache Creek and Kamloops. The better road is to continue over to the Chasm Road, but this is a long route from Kamloops. With such a long route an excellent choice would be to stay overnight at the Hihium Recreation Site for 2 days of paddling and exploring.
The paddle from Westsyde to McArthur Island is a leisurely 14 km downriver route. We launched from the end of Harrington Road near the Dunes and moved out into the river allowing the current to pull us downstream.
In June the river is bank to bank with no sand bars. We could average 7km per hour without too much effort, passing Westsyde.
We went under the CN Bridge, then the Halston Bridge on our “Rivers Trail.”
Even though the river was wide and peaceful, there were no other boats on the river as we passed Mt. Paul and North Kamloops.
At the Confluence we followed the river past Overlander Beach, under the bridge, past the old pylons and toward McArthur Island.
We tucked into a small beach at the boat launch ramp at McArthur Island out of the way of power boats lined up to launch at noon on a Sunday. This is an enjoyable paddle and an easy one with the power of the river moving us along. Kamloops is lucky to have two rivers for recreational paddling right at our doorstep.
Green Lake has clear green water and a forested shoreline. It is a marl lake, a lime-rich mud-bottom and gravel post-glacial lake, common to a number of the larger BC Interior lakes. The Marble Range stands above the Cariboo to the west and silts and sediments rich in calcite and lime have worked their way into the lake basin by glacial scouring, deposition, and run-off. The result is the green-blue water of the lake, especially in the shallow areas. The lake is 17 km from end to end and a paddle around the whole shoreline would be 45 km, so we focused on the southeast end of the lake for this trip.
Although private homes line about half of the southern shore of the lake, there are 13 lake access lanes for boaters to launch canoes or kayaks. There are also BC Parks campgrounds and lakeshore lands so many more launch spots are possible. One of the best spots is at the end of the Green Lake South Road where there is good parking and a hand-launch spot at the edge of the forested shoreline of the east end of the lake.
Some deeper bays allow for exploration. We paddled through a narrow channel to get into a hidden back bay. The islands and bays of the east end provide some interesting paddle exploration areas.
Weekends can be busy in summer, but for the most part the lake is fairly quiet on weekdays and off-season. The South Cariboo is relatively flat providing wider skies for afternoon views across the lake and for evening sunsets.
Winds arise in the late morning in most Interior lakes so paddling is best done in the morning or evenings.
Many of our lakes are over-built with private homes with little access to the shoreline for visitors. Large powerboats and other loud noise-makers dominate the open waters. Some of the lakes become trophic, unhealthy for water plants and animals because of increased phosphorus and fecal coliform from shoreline degradation, seeping septic fields, cattle manure, and run-off rich in fertilizers. But Green Lake has so far been able to avoid the worst ravages of overuse. For now it is still a place to enjoy the lakewaters, the forest, and quiet of rural areas.
We explored the shoreline of the Boyd Bay Wetlands at the western end of the lake in the previous year and we will return to paddle there in the next year. Over time we will complete all 45 km of shoreline at Green Lake.
“Take a course in good water and air; and in the eternal youth of Nature you may renew your own. Go quietly, alone; no harm will befall you.” (John Muir)
It is a long narrow lake offering 5.2 km of paddling.
The two ends of the lake are shallow with lots of millfoil, smartweed, duckweed, and some summer algae growth. Leeches and small fish were visible in the shallows. Ducks, kingfishers, and least sandpipers were also spotted darting in and out of the shallows areas. A number of bleached deadfall snags have fallen into the lake, especially on the south shoreline.
