One of our favorite paddling destinations is Clearwater Lake.   The launch is at the very end of the Wells Gray Corridor.  There is a good parking lot and lots of room to launch.   Start your journey north.

The first campground on the lake is just across the narrow part of the lake so if you have a late arrival, this may be a good choice.    As you start your paddle up the lake, you will be amazed by how clear the water is.   The lake gradually widens.   Divers Bluff is a larger campground with some nice sites above the shoreline.   Big Bar Campground is popular because of its sandy point and sheltered (small) bay.   We like Ivor Creek because it is a small campground for non-motorized boats only.   Two small streams come down to the lake here, but the forest behind is very dense and dark.   If you plan to cross the lake, doing it early is a good idea since winds can whip up on this 22 km long lake.   It is a long paddle to the end of the lake.   We enjoyed the small campground at the north end.

If you have two nights only, then paddling Clearwater Lake to two campsites is a good choice.   If you have more time, then you can try the portage to Azure Lake.    Paddle to the end of the lake, them enter the river.   The current makes progress slow but look for the slowest flow on either side.    After some hard work, you can see a sign on the right marking the start of the portage.   This is not a long portage, but it is an awkward one.   The first 250 meters is fairly open, but the last 750m climbs over a small bluff, winding among rocks and trees.   Even with a cart, this is a difficult section for a lone paddler.   Most people carry their boats one at a time, working in pairs.   More and more people are using the the water taxi to haul their boats instead, right to the end of Azure Lake and then they paddle back to  their vehicles.  

Azure Lake is also 22km long.   From the parking lot to Rainbow Falls near the end of Azure Lake is two full days of paddling.    However far you plan to paddle, come prepared and be self-sufficient.   There are no roads, homes, or services once you have started your marine exploration.    But that is precisely why we return to Clearwater Lake as often as we can.