We returned to paddle Campbell Lake in late summer, choosing a sunny weekday to launch a kayak and explore the shoreline.   The launch spot is at the Campbell Lake Recreation Site on the south side of the lake.    To drive there go  through Barnhartvale, then turn onto the Robbins Range Road, and then the Scuitto Lake Forest Service Road.   From the end of Scuitto Lake (11 km) to the Rec site is another 5 km.

There is a good boat launch next to the campground,

We try to go to do Campbell Lake in late summer since there are often migrating birds on the shallow lake.   On this visit, there was a dozen pelicans on the lake.   They tend to breed, hunt, and care for young as a colony.   The wingspan of the American white pelican ranges from 1.4 to 1.75m.

Across the lake was a mating pair of sandhill cranes standing on the shoreline.   On an earlier visit a dozen were on the same shoreline spot.   They have a wingspan of about 1.3 m and stand about 120 cm tall,   Every spring we watch the loose v-shaped flocks heading north to breeding grounds.   We hear them before we can spot them.

Great blue herons were spotted on the shoreline too.   They are always quick to take to the air if we get too close.   They can be seen on many lakes in the Kamloops area.

Ducks and osprey were also patrolling the lake for food.   The osprey did several dives for fish while I paddled the shoreline.

The loop around the lakeshore is 8 km, two hours of paddling.   Campbell Lake is a gem in the hills, worth the 16 km of backroads to get there.

More information:

• Campbell Lake Recreation Site
• Campbell Lake (2012)