Category Archives: Kayaking

On Plateau Lake

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

Plateau Lake lies in the hills of the Douglas Plateau, accessed on backroads from Highway 5A.     From the highway, it is a quick drive to Peter Hope Lake, but a slow and difficult drive over the hills to Plateau Lake.

It is not easy to get there.   There are several possible routes in, but Rec Sites and Trails BC recommends taking the Peter Hope Lake Road (from the south end of Stump Lake), then turning onto the signed Plateau Lake Road for 4.4 km then taking a right turn onto an unsigned secondary road.

This road was very narrow and very rough and it is definitely high-clearance, and but possibly 4WD.    If you go in that way, carry a chainsaw too.  Cross the power line and follow another rough road down the hill to the lake.   This is a total of 8.5 km of slow, careful driving.   On the way back out, I followed a different route, following the power line northeast to a junction and then following a much better (but longer) road back. to the Dardanelles Road.  From that road, it is possible to go back to Peter Hope Lake Road along the Plateau Lake Road, or down the hill to the north end of Stump Lake.   A GPS is helpful but if you use a map, the BC Backroads Mapbook is very unreliable for this area.

There is a good boat launch at the lake.   When I was there, there was no one else at the site, nor on any of the backroads of the area.

One of the features of this lake is extensive marl shoals.   The silt-mud bottom has lots of lime and calcium which clarifies the water.   The shoals had a clear yellowish colour.

The lake was very quiet with no noise from any direction.A paddle around the lakeshore is about 4 km, but there are lots of marshes to explore and it is such a pleasant spot that two loops of the lake makes sense.

With the clear mineral-rich water comes little lake weed growth, except for one bay where the sun shone on the emerging weeds.

There are 6 campsites at the site, all on flat ground.   This would be a fine place to camp, but I can’t recommend pulling a trailer down that road.   It is a good spot for a paddle if you have the right vehicle to get in to the lake.

More Information:

 

Paddle to and Hike Copper Island

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

From the Scotch Creek Provincial Park Campground beach to the landing area on Copper Island is two km of lake paddling.    This can be a busy spot for power boats so it would be best to get an early start or do the paddle in the off-season.

A sign welcomes the visitor and we can hike on a good trail around the island.

There are several viewpoints on the 2.6 km trail around the island.

We have paddled and hiked this 6.6 km route several times.    A video of the experience is provided here:

 

 

Stake Lake Smoke Loops

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

When the heat dome enveloped the Interior of BC, the forests dried out and forest fires multiplied, followed by smoky skies.    The high country south of Kamloops was cooler and less smoky so ti became our “goto” destination each day.    We paddled McConnell Lake, Stake Lake, Lac le Jeune, Paska Lake, Walloper Lake, Face Lake, Lodgepole Lake, and Surrey Lake and often combined a paddle with a hike.   On this day, we paddled twice around Stake Lake (1 hour) and hiked for another hour on trails in the smoke haze.

There is a large marsh on the northeast end of the trail system and our hiking route went right around it.

The lodgepole pine and douglas fir forests are dry here too so we hope that this area can avoid the threat of forest fires.

There were loons, ducks, and dragonflies on the lake.    On the trails were many wildflowers and pollinators, a few of which are shared here.

 

 

 

 

Floodlands Squall

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

On a mid-July day, I launched my kayak at the Tranquille Wildlife Management Area and paddled out into Tranquille Bay. The plan was to paddle a large loop, crossing the river to the floodlands on the south side. After many days of paddling in the floodlands, I have developed routes through river channels and with the water starting to fall, I wanted to do a longer (10 km) loop. Under sunny-cloudy skies and light winds I did the 2 km crossing to the far-side channel, then turned east, upriver, winding through a maze of channels. The route goes all the way to the edge of the wastewater ponds. From there I follow a route out to the river and work my way back.

Some grey clouds were moving across Kamloops Lake as I crossed Tranquille Bay.

Cloud-filtered sunshine to the east created silver light on the river.

But blue skies over Mt. Mara looked like good weather would last for the paddle.

At the east end of the river channels some rain clouds moved in, bringing large raindrops

Geese and ducks headed for cover as I turned onto the stormy river.

Stronger winds and drifts of rain washed over the kayak as I paddled back across the river in choppy conditions.

Much of the squall hit the south side of the river and by the time I reached the north side of the floodlands some clearer skies broke through dark clouds.

The final part of the paddle emerged out of the rain showers into calmer conditions, some bluer skies, and easier paddling.

The 18 foot ocean kayak weathers wind, showers, and waves well. I have lots of experience in paddling in adverse conditions, I know and have practiced self-rescue techniquesl, I had all my safety equipment and I would have gone to ground on the shoreline if conditions were dangerous. I had my spray skirt on which kept my legs dry, but I got pretty wet on my torso and arms. Another adventure on the water.

 

 

 

Mahood Lake Tour

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

A new video is now ready on YouTube:

We paddled the 20km+ length of the lake and camped on the east end of the lake.   We hiked down to Sylvia and Goodwin Falls on the second day and paddled back on the third day.

Click the YouTube link on the menu bar for more KamloopsKayak videos.

Paddling Malpeque Bay

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

Some years ago we were touring Prince Edward Island and we chose to rent kayaks on the north side, paddling the calm and protected Malapeque Bay.

There is an extensive area to paddle in.    Our paddling was into the shallow bay, then along the coast near the Cabot Bay Provincial Park.

A sunny day with light winds provided opportunities to paddle in any direction.

The red shoreline of the coast extended to the east.

At low tide we were able to land on rocky shoals to explore the tidal pools.

Although there were many miles of shoreline to explore, we kept the outing to about 2.5 hours, an easy day of paddling looking out into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

At one point I had a muscle cramp while in the middle of the bay, but I was able to get out of the boat since much of the bay had shallow waters over red sands.  This was easy self-rescue.

When we travel by truck, we bring our kayaks, but when we fly we rent kayaks.   Every provider is different.    Some will only rent with a guide, some are more laid-back.     We had one company (in New Zealand) that would only let us take out the boats on our own after I had demonstrated self-rescue techniques near the shoreline.   We hope to add some more paddling destinations in the future.

 

 

The 90th Day

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

In 2021 I had paddled 90 days by November 6th.    There would likely be a handful more before the weather became too cold.    For this day, it was 3 degrees C and there was a 10 km breeze.    The sun was out at Jacko Lake for a paddle around the lakeshore.

The lower approaching-winter-sun made all views to the south glaring and bright.    There was snow on Greenstone Mountain to the southwest.

I have photographed this snag quite a few times and each time I go around Jacko Lake, I swing by.

I had a GoPro on, but I only got a short clip:

 

 

Everything will be put away for the winter soon, but only for three and a half months.    The ninety days of paddling were partly a result of a foot injury, the late spring heat dome, the summer fires, and Covid restrictions.    Paddling seemed like a good choice for all of these.

White Lake in November

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

On a cool day with little wind White Lake (near Tappen) was the destination for a paddle.   It is a large lake (12 km around) and in the fall it is better to divide the lake into two separate paddles.   There are two good boat launches to do this.    On this day, the west end of the lake is easily accessed using a boat launch next to the Fire Hall/Community Hall.   There was some local smoke from slash burning on Bastion Mountain nearby.

From the community boat launch to White Lake Provincial Park is 3.3 km.    Normally I would cross the lake and return on the other side, but the south side was smoky so it was an out-and-back route instead.

The White Lake Provincial Park is at point which protects another boat launch and day use area.

From the point we can see down to the end of the lake which is still in the park.

We plan to return to paddle the east end of the lake in the spring, launching from the Provincial Park Campground.   After this paddle, I chose to do the White Lake Lookout Trail.    I will choose another trail to hike in the spring.

Fall Color on the River

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

On Hallowe’en Day the weather was colder, but the sun was shining.    With no wind, there were colorful reflections in the river.

Cloudy mists hung over Mt. Peter.

Blue skies and colorful leaves reflected in the river.

Many tones of greens and yellows are brought out in the sunlight.

And, some spots show reds, yellows, and greens, surrounded by blues in reflection symmetry.

A great blue heron stood by the rivershore as I drifted by.

The temperature was -1C, but with no wind.   Paddling will continue into November.

 

 

 

Tournament Capital Ranch Channels

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

Launching a kayak from the Tournament Capital Ranch requires driving a dirt road to the bank above the river, then hauling the boat down the sandbanks to good spot.   There is a bay with a back eddy and a beach south of the slow pitch diamonds area.

The river runs very quickly, too fast for most paddlers to proceed upstream, but we can paddle downstream, cross to the other side and come up channels on the west side.

In the first channel the water was still, but the shoreline was very colorful.    At the end it was easier to turn around than to portage to the next channel.

The next channel ran aground after a while, but it was a short portage to get to the next channel.

Each channel was flanked by fall colors.

Most of these channels could be paddled without any portages in spring and early summer.

Some hard paddling and a short portage across a gravel bar took me back to the main channel so that I could paddle downstream to the start, turning quickly into a back eddy.

This was fun paddling, but it would not be the kind of venture that novice paddlers should try.   Any route from the shoreline will involve paddling upstream into fast currents, paddling across the current, paddling in shallow water, portaging, and hauling.   All safety gear would be a must, especially in cool or cold water.

I plan to return in early summer to explore more channels or to paddle downstream to Riverside Park.

 

A Fall Paul Lake Paddle

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

When I paddle Paul Lake I divide the lake into three sections and then with each subsequent paddle, I vary the route.     From the west end of the lake there is a small hand launch site, fine for a kayak.    The north shore of the lake is colorful in fall from the outlet to the campground beach, 3.6 km each way.   Fog covered the hills, but the winds were light on the paddle up the lake.

Fall colors were the highlight on the route to Gibraltar Rock.

The winds died down as I rounded the bluff on my way to the campground beach area.   Reflections in the water were perfect.    Some blue skies started to show.

On the way back, the sun had broken through the clouds and shone on the bluff.There were a few ducks on the lake, mostly mallards and mergansers.    I spotted an osprey too.

The yellows, oranges, and reds of the lakeshore leaves is worth the trip to Paul Lake, especially the northwest shoreline.  Click and image for a lightbox view and a caption.

By the end of the 7.2 km paddle, blue skies had replaced the fog.    Another great day in the kayak (Day 85 of 2021).

On Red Lake

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

On a mid-October cool day Red Lake was the destination paddle.   It is about 45 km on gravel roads to get to the boat launch.   It is about 9 km around the lake to follow the whole shoreline.  The lake area was closed during the wildfire season.     The Sparks Lake fire started just past the north end of the lake.   The route for this day was counter-clockwise, following the east shore to the end of the lake.

The north end of the lake is marshy, but there is a channel through to the end of the lake.

The back bays are quiet, especially with no road access to some of them.

From the middle of the lake, all of the trees were black about 5 km north.   This was the biggest fire in the province, extending up over the Bonaparte Plateau.

The day was partly sunny with a light wind for a cool, but enjoyable paddle in the high country.

A website page with more information is dedicated to Red Lake at this link (tbd).

Belle Isles Tour

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

From the east side of Mayne Island, there is a lot of good paddling along the shoreline, around bays, through channels, and around islands.   We paddled from the Horton Bay area around Curlew Island and out toward Georgia Strait to a chain of rocky islets called the Belle Isles.   They act like a breakwater to the incoming winds and waves so we paddled out on a calm and sunny day to the first islets.

We heard there was a colony of sea lions on one of the outer isles, so we paddled along the sheltered side of the chain, parallel to Samuel Island.   Winds were light right across Georgia Strait.   We looked for Mt. Baker, 100 km east, but it was wreathed in clouds.   We had great views a few days later from the ferry.

On one of the islets sea birds were perched, mostly cormorants and seagulls.

We spotted many seals in the channels, and sunning on the rocks.

The cormorants were alert to the approach of the kayaks so we kept a distance, using a longer lens to photograph them standing on the seaweed at low tide.

We got close enough to hear the sea lions, but the winds picked up so we did not get closer.   We were told there are up to 300 of them on one rocky isle right out where the waves run onto the rocks.

We paddled back on a circuit between islands, about 9 km on the waves.   A Google Earth fly-over is provided here as a tour of the Bell Isles: