Kayaking Inks Lake

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Inks Lake is a smaller lake with a muddy shoreline.     In spring the water is clear and there are lots of ducks on the lake.    It is rare to see anyone else on the lake. There are 3 sections of the lake.     From the main lake area, we can paddle through a narrow channel to find two more  bays.     When … Continue reading →

Jacko Lake Kayak

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In the first third of April, the benchland lakes are all ice free and can be paddled.     Jacko Lake, Inks Lake, and Pat Lake have good access for a day of spring kayaking.    On a sunny morning with little wind I arrived at Jacko Lake and joined the fly fishermen on the lake.    The lake was about 2 feet down … Continue reading →

On Monte Lake

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On an early April morning the weather was mild but there was a 10 km wind from the south on Monte Lake.    I launched and paddled into the wind, heading south down the lake.    There were two other fishing boats on the lake, the highway was busy and a train came up the western shoreline, but the west shoreline was … Continue reading →

Nicola Lake (On April Fools Day)

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On April Fools Day there was no wind forecast for morning in the Merritt area.     Nicola Lake is about 60 km south on Highway 5A so an early start ensured a launch time in calm conditions.    There are a few boat launches along Nicola Lake and the first one just off the highway has a picnic area and a gravel launch area.    there was no one else on the lake as I paddled south along the shoreline.    On this loop route I spotted ducks, geese, crows, and eagles.    The lake was flat and it was quiet, except when a truck went by the lake.     I paddled south then crossed the lake to come back on the other side.

 

There are a small number of summer homes on the northwestern shore, then a series of rocky bluffs.     Near the end of the lake are farmlands.

A few images are shared here.    Click an image for a lightbox view.

 

 

This was an 8.2 km paddle taking about 1.6 hours.    Finding calm water on Nicola Lake is always a blessing and the fine spring weather made this an ideal outing.      The goal is to paddle each lake at least once and the bigger lakes usually get more than one day of paddling, with subsequent days on a different part of the lake.

 

 

Trapp Lake in March

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At the end of March, the valley bottom lakes were ice-free.    Some of them are larger lakes so we have to pick a mild day with little wind.    The chain of lakes (Trapp, Shumway, Napier, Stump, and Nicola) on Highway 5A South are good choices at this time of year.    Trapp Lake is a long narrow lake next to the … Continue reading →

Paddle Bluff

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On a mild and calm day on the second day of spring, I drove down the bumpy road to Cooney Bay, then hauled my kayak down to the shoreline of the estuary.    I launched in a shallow channel and worked my way out to Kamloops Lake.    There were swans, geese, ducks, and gulls in the channels and on the lake.    With no wind and the sun breaking through clouds, it was a perfect day for a paddle.    I padded around Cooney Bay then continued along the bluffs going west.

The goal for the day was to paddle around the base of Battle Bluff, then turn around and paddle back the same way.

Kamloops Lake is often a windy area so when the forecast is for no wind, Kamloops Lake, Nicola Lake, Little Shuswap Lake. or Stump Lake are on the list for a longer paddle.    This one was about 1.5 hours.    the next time I paddle the lake, it will be from the west end.     Some images from the paddle are shared here.    click an image for a lightbox view.

 

 

 

 

 

River Daze

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The first few days of paddling each year are spent on the river, launching from Pioneer Park, Riverside Park, or Valleyview.     Once the weather warms and the winds abate, the valley-bottom lakes are next.    On a calm March morning the winds were light and the sun was out on the South Thompson River. There were ducks and geese on the … Continue reading →

Three and a Half Bridges Each Way

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In mid-March the weather was perfect for an early paddle on the rivers.    From Pioneer Park, the route was downstream, under the Red Bridge, then under the Train Bridge toward the Confluence of the South Thompson and the North Thompson Rivers. There are a number of sand and gravel bars at the Confluence so it is best to stick to … Continue reading →

Ice-Off Times

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We usually paddle the rivers for a while before ice is off the lakes.     We can launch from Pioneer Park, Riverside Park, Valleyview Boat Launch, and from some hand launch sites in Westsyde.    The ice comes off Kamloops Lake first, along with Little Shuswap Lake.    Since these are bigger lakes, we wait for a calm, mild day. Not long afterward, … Continue reading →

West Arm of Murtle Lake

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During September a few years ago, we traveled to Murtle Lake before smoky conditions in smothered the area and we decided to shorten our time there once the smoke moved in.    On the second day we paddled the west end of the west arm of Murtle Lake.   We launched from Birch Beach and paddled past Smoker Island.    The wide bay … Continue reading →

Ready for Cold Water

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The first days of kayaking each year are done in cool weather and the water temperature is cold, dangerously cold if you capsize.    When I go out, I take the following precautions. I wear a full dry suit.    These are expensive so not everyone has one.    I look at it as a one-time investment.      If I go in the water, … Continue reading →

February – On the River

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In the last week of February the days were mild and the snows melted.     The river was clear of ice.      The gate to the boat launch at Pioneer Park  is still locked (??) so it is a bit awkward getting the boat down to the water.     I launched into the water and paddled upstream.     Without much wind, it was a … Continue reading →

On Lesser-Known Lakes (3)

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Every year I try to paddle some new lakes, even if they are difficult to access.    Two of the lakes paddled this last year included Pemberton Lake and John Frank Lake. There are a few small lakes high on the shoulders of the ridges between Mt. Lolo and Shaw Hill.    We paddle Hyas Lake every year and it is one … Continue reading →

On Lesser Known Lakes (2)

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Each year I try to paddle on some new lakes.    In this last year I paddled a few of them, including Black Lake and Fred Lake. Black Lake is located in Roche Lake Provincial Park.    It is a destination lake for fishing, but the road in is very rough.    I have driven it, but regretted it and vowed never to … Continue reading →