Category Archives: On the Lakes

Paddling the lakes in the many Kamloops area, some on main roads, but many in the backcountry too, and some more lakes found on our travels.

In the Paul Lake Mists

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As summer wound down, the nights became cooler and morning mists were starting to shroud the hills around the area.   In an early paddle on Paul Lake, the sun was filtered through the low-hanging clouds.

The lake was calm and quiet with no other boats in sight.

I paddled down past Gibraltar Rock.   Crows, eagles, loons, and a Canada jay were active along the watery way.

For this day, I passed Gibraltar Rock, then crossed over the other side.    There is provincial park lands on the south side of the lake too.

There are many fallen trees on the steeper south shoreline, but also leaning ones, and reflections in the still lakewater.

The paddle for this morning was about 70 minutes, another good day in the outdoors, my 67th day of paddling in 2022.

More information on Paul Lake will be found on the Paul Lake Page, to be completed over the winter months.

Paddling Face Lake

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

In mid-September Face Lake was the destination for a morning paddle.    There is no reasonable public launch on the lake so I checked in at the Mile High Lodge, paid a small parking and launch fee, and used the boat launch (parking in the Guest parking area).   The folks at the lodge were again welcoming and wished me well.   I then paddled around the lakeshore.

It is accessed by the Paska Lake Road (paved).   Continue to the end of the road which takes you to the Resort.   Face Lake sits at 5800 feet, at the foot of Chuwhels Mountain.

It is a pleasant 5.8 km kayak around the lake.   With no traffic past the resort, the lake is a quiet spot.


A few moments on the lake are captured in a short video:

This is a recommended lake for paddling in the summer.

 

Paddling Harper Lake

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

Harper Lake is located in the hills east of Kamloops.    The Harper Lake Forest Service Road turns off the Trans Canada Highway on the east side of the Neskonlith Indian Reserve, then climbs through the hills, bearing south.


The final 6 km of the road is narrow and bumpy.    There is a BC Rec Site on the northeast side of the lake. A paddle around the lake is about 3.2 km.    On this September day I spotted loons, muskrats, painted turtles, dragonflies and ducks.


The lake is a scenic and quiet spot, perfect for a day of paddling.

 

 

Paddling Heffley Lake

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

On a gusty late August morning I got an early start for a paddle on Heffley Lake.   There is a good launch area at the east end of the lake, but it can be a busy spot at prime times so I got an early start.    The area by the launch is protected from the wind by small islands in a narrow part of the lake.


A paddle around the whole lake is about 12.5 km, a longer paddle, and so on this windy day, a more moderate loop down to the narrows and back was a better choice.

There are a series of sheltered bays on the southeast end of the lake that were calmer and very quiet.

The slopes of Mt. Embleton rise up above the north side of the lake.

At the narrows I turned back and had a much easier paddle downwind to the islands on the east end of the lake.


I avoid Heffley Lake at prime times because of the congestion at the launch area, power boats on the lake, and the activity from all of the homes along the north shore of the lake.   In the offseason or early in the morning I was one of two boats on the lake.

More Information – Heffley Lake (page tba)

Paddling Glimpse Lake

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

One of the lakes I enjoy paddling every summer is Glimpse Lake.    It is located on the Douglas Lake Plateau (Nicola Lake > Douglas Lake Road > Lauder Road > Glimpse Lake).    The road (91 km from Kamloops) is good all the way to the lake.

There are two Rec Sites on the lake, but the best boat launch is at the northwest corner of the lake.    A paddle around the lakeshore is about 6.2 km.

Video footage was taken on the lake this summer:

This is a quiet out-of-the-way lake that is one of our best paddling destinations for the summer months.

Paddling Monte Lake

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On a hot summer morning I got an early start and drove to Monte Lake.    I use the hand launch area from the Monte Creek Forest Service Road on the north side of the lake.   The lake was calm and I only saw one other boat on a paddle down the lake and back.

There is a boat launch off the highway on the east side of the lake too, but I prefer the informal one on the north end.

Surround the lake is blackened forest from the gigantic 2021 White Rock Forest Fire.  Twenty-eight homes were burned in the fire and the Community of Monte Lake was evacuated.   Recovery efforts are still underway.

A paddle around the shoreline is about 6.7 km, a good workout.    I prefer to paddle down the west side and back on the same side to avoid the highway noise.   The noise is the only drawback.    A good lake to wear earpods while paddling.

Paddling Peterhope Lake

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Peterhope Lake is accessed by going up a 7.5 km Forest Service Road from the south end of Stump Lake.    There is a BC Rec Site there with camping spots and two boat launches.

A paddle around the lake is about 6 km.   The highlight is a narrow marsh channel which leads to a small lake on the southwest end.

The small lake is away from the campers, fishermen, and private homes on the lake.

It is a quiet spot for ducks and an occasional paddler.

Some video footage of Peterhope Lake is embedded into this post:

 

Paddling Roche Lake South

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On a hot summer morning I drove up to Roche Lake Provincial Park, turning onto the Roche West Road to launch from a spot halfway up the lake.

Roche Lake is a bit larger than most area lakes and a paddle around the whole shoreline is about 10 km but when the weather is hot, a loop on half the lake is a better choice.    On this day I paddled the southern half of the lake.

There was no wind and not many boats on the lake.   There were ducks, eagles, loons, and an osprey on the lake.   At prime times there can be be many boats on the lake and the wildlife finds quieter fishing grounds.

Some video footage showing paddling on the lake is now available on YouTube:

I will be back in the fall to hike the backroads and to paddle the other half of the lake.

 

 

Paddling Morrisey Lake

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

Morrisey Lake is a small, shallow lake near McGillivray Lake, east of Sun Peaks.   Access is by the Morrisey Lake Forest Service Road, a bumpy gravel road that only goes to the lake.    There are two small BC Rec Sites, one at either end.    On this summer morning I drove to the far end and did a hand launch onto the lake.

The Morrisey Lake East Rec Site has 3 campsites, but the areas at either site is small and has limited access for parking and launching.    It would be more awkward when the sites are full on summer weekends.   On this morning, the site was not occupied.

A paddle around the lake is about 2 km so kayakers may choose to go around twice.   I paddled McGillivray Lake first (5.2 km) and then Morrisey Lake, another choice for a good day of activity in the area.

 

 

 

 

 

Paddling McGillivray Lake

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

McGillivray Lake is located east of Sun Peaks Road by driving on the McGillivray Lake Forest Service Road.  This is a good 5.7 km gravel road.

The best launch spot is at the signed McGillivray Lake Outpost on the northwest corner of the lake.

A paddle around the lakeshore is about 5.2 km.    The shoreline is forested and there are some marshy bays to explore.

On this hot summer morning there was no one else on the lake, but it can be busier at peak times.

From the lake we could see the south-facing runs on the ski hill, just 2.5 km away.    This is a scenic, quiet spot most of the time, worth the drive out to the lake.

Paddling Tunkwa Lake

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Tunkwa Lake is one of the best rainbow trout fishing lakes in the province.   It lies in the grasslands – forest zone to the southwest of Kamloops, accessible on paved roads from Logan Lake.   There are several launch spots on the lake.   On this summer day, I parked at the Day Use area and padded the 7.5 km loop around the shoreline.

The Tremont Forest Fire ran through the area in 2021 and there are many sections of blackened trees around the lake.

There are always lots of birds on the lake.   Flocks of blackbirds were active in all of the marshy areas.

Aquatic plants were filling in the shallow bays.   White water crowfoot, smartweed, and arumleaf arrowhead were in flower.

Some video footage provides a sense of what it is like on the lake:

I will be back to paddle on neighboring Leighton Lake this paddling season.

Day 52 of paddling in 2022.

 

Paddling Community Lake

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Community Lake is located on top of Community Mountain between Knouff Lake and Sun Peaks.   To get to the Community Lake Rec Site, drive up the Knouff Lake Road and turn onto the signed Community Lake FSR.    Follow the signs to the lake, which sits at 1370 m (4500 ft.)

There is a good boat launch at the Rec Site.   A paddle around the lake takes about an hour.    There are a number of marshy bays and islands to explore.

Community Lake Launch

 

I paddled the lake on the BC Day long weekend and I was the only boat on the water.    The lake is off the beaten path so there are a few fishermen and an occasional paddler

Some video clips and some drone footage helps to share the paddling the lake experience:

This is a lake I enjoy paddling each summer, a higher elevation paddling destination when the weather gets hot in the valleys.

Paddling Surrey Lake

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

On a hot summer day I paddled Surrey Lake.    there is a good road to the Wildlings Resort on Surrey Lake.   There is a boat launch there and paddlers can pay a fee to park and launch, or alternately, take the side road along the west side of the lake and hand launch at one of two spots.    That road (around Surrey Lake) is a narrow one and high clearance is advised.

With steady paddling it took an hour to go around the 5 km shoreline of the lake.

Some video of the paddling experience is shared here:

When the temperatures rise only a few ducks will be on the lakes.    These ones were having a siesta on a lakeshore log.

When the temperatures rise, the lakes that lie at an elevation of over 4000 feet are good destinations for a morning paddle.    Surrey Lake is one more gem in the Kamloops area for paddlers.

 

Paddling Nicola Lake North

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On the hottest day of the year I traveled to the north end of Nicola Lake to paddle a loop route.   The goal was to get onto the water before it got too hot and before the power boats were active.   The lake is very open so there is no shade so a modest distance was in order.    There are a number of good launch spots and I chose the northernmost one on Highway 5A.

The highlight of the day was paddling along the west side of the lake by giant granite boulders below granite cliffs.    There are no homes on the northwest end of the lake.

This large standing rock rose like a mushroom from the shallow lakeshore waters.

Most of the waterfowl were hiding in a shaded location, but these mergansers were on morning patrol.

A video of the paddling experience on the lake is shared here:

A greeting committee was waiting for me at the landing area, a kaleidoscope of clouded sulphurs.

Each day of paddling brings some new surprises, with more to come….

Paddling Stump Lake

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Stump Lake is a popular fishing spot and at peak times, the boat launch sites can be full, especially in spring.   It is also a windy lake so finding the right day for a paddle on the lake can be a challenge.

A paddle right around the lakeshore is 19 km, too far for a day’s paddle so we usually paddle the north or south end of the lake in alternating years.  There are three launch spots off Highway 5A, but almost everyone uses the main one half way down the lake.    On this day, I used a steeper track nearer the south end of the lake for a paddle in that area.

Along the shoreline were deer, ducks, a bald eagle, a killdeer, and lots of insects.    Click an image for a lightbox view and caption.

This was a hot and sunny day in July:

I will be back to paddle the north end of the lake on another day.

 

 

Paddling Sussex Lake

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Sussex Lake is a bit remote and because of it, it is quiet, except for the drone of the highway.    I have paddled here twice and snowshoed in from Surrey Lake in winter.   A paddle around the lakeshore is 3.3 km.   Paddlers can go around the lake twice or paddle two lakes in the area.   I also paddled Desmond Lake, but other choices include Surrey Lake and Frogmoore Lake.

Sussex Lake lies at 1365m (4553 ft), just below the Surrey Summit on the Coquihalla.    To get to the lake, we have to go up the Surrey Lake Forest Service Road to Surrey Lake, then take a secondary Road to the Sussex Lake Rec Site.    It is a high-clearance road, but fine to drive in summer.   There is no boat launch, but we can hand launch from a gravel beach at the small Rec Site.

While paddling loons were on patrol, but an osprey dove into the water twice not far from the kayak and came up with a fish.    I could only get shots of it in the air as it flew past.   The fish is clear to see though, glistening in the sun before being consumed.

A short video of the day’s outing is included here:

I will be back into the area to paddle Surrey Lake, Bob Lake, and Frogmoore Lake.