On a cool, grey day with a smattering of rain I drove down to Monck Park and launched the kayak onto Nicola Lake. Nicola Lake can be a windy spot and some cool winds were blowing down the lake so I stayed on the shoreline of the lake, enjoying the quiet paddle in spite of the conditions. Nicola Lake is … Continue reading →
When there are winds forecast I try to get an earlier start because the winds get stronger by late morning. I also chose a smaller sheltered lake and one of the best for this kind of day is McConnell Lake. I launched early, the only boat on the lake that morning. I paddled twice around the lake, once in each … Continue reading →
On a cool, sunny late September morning I chose Edith Lake for an hour of paddling. When I got there I found out that the World Fly Fishing Championships were scheduled for that day. Eight women’s teams would be on the lake so I paddled out right away. The back bays were quiet with no fishing boats, a perfect day … Continue reading →
While the Ross Moore Fire was active, we avoided go to Lac le Jeune, partly because of smoky conditions, but we just wanted to stay out of the way too. By fall the smoke had dissipated so we went to Lac le Jeune Provincial Park and launched from the beach. On a mild day, the winds were light and we … Continue reading →
When we paddle on Paul Lake, we can pass close to the sheer slopes of Gibraltar Rock. On a June day, I paddled a loop route on the middle part of the lake. Some video moments of the paddle are captured here: This day in June was the third day of paddling on Paul Lake for 2023 and the 26th … Continue reading →
Near the Fall Equinox on a cool morning, I arrived at Jacko Lake to find it very busy. The World Fly Fishing Championships was scheduled for September 24 to 30, but teams from around the world were arriving and practice rounds were on local lakes, including Jacko Lake. When I arrived the French team and the Italian team were ready … Continue reading →
Although the Stake Lake Rec Site is officially “closed” because of the Ross Moore Lake wildfire, the gate to the parking area is open and lots of people are fishing or paddling the lake, and hiking, walking and biking the inner trails. On a cloudy but mild September day I launched my kayak into the lake and paddled around the … Continue reading →
On a sunny September morning I launched my kayak onto McGillivray Lake and paddled the shoreline. The best boat launch is at the McGillivray Lake Outpost. From the Village of Sun Peaks, take Sun Peaks Road to the gravel McGillivary Forest Service Road. Continue for 6 km to the signed turn to the lake. A paddle around the lake is … Continue reading →
On a sunny September morning I launched my kayak into Isobel Lake and paddled around the lakeshore. A complete loop of the lake is about 2.3 km so twice around is the usual routine, once in each direction. Since the trails are right there too, it is a good spot for a paddle and hike outing. Some images are shared … Continue reading →
On a sunny September day I arrived early at Leighton Lake. I launched the kayak from the campground boat launch in calm conditions. There were lots of ducks on the lake and a few fishermen, but it was quiet, peaceful, and scenic. Once around the lake was 3.4 km. On this day I secured the boat, then also hiked the … Continue reading →
Sometimes there are pelicans on Campbell Lake in late summer or the start of fall. We can never tell until we get there. The lake was hit with winterkill, so the campground was empty and with so few fish in the lake, the pelicans may have gone elsewhere. I did spot two of them on Scuitto Lake on the way … Continue reading →
Buse Lake Protected Area extends from Barnhartvale Road, across the lake, then up into the hills to the Buse Hill hiking area. Buse Lake has no established access route, but it is only a short hike down to the shoreline from a pull-off area on the road. To paddle the lake, we have be haul the boat down the slope … Continue reading →
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 →
The boat launch on McArthur Island had a land-locked muddy pond, then there was a portage out to the river channel. This access proved to be muddy and a bit difficult. Once in the shallow channel, I paddled upstream in fast water, over gravel bars and eventually into the main river. Conditions improved a few hundred meters upstream. The route … Continue reading →
Community Lake is a favorite spot for a summer paddle. It is usually a quiet spot, except for long weekends in summer. On a Saturday morning there were only campers at the lake and when I launched, there was no one else on the lake. The lake was dammed and the shoreline has many fallen trees, small islands and shallow … Continue reading →
On a hot and smoky day I drove early towards Chase, then up bumpy backroads to the Harper Lake Recreation Site. There was no one else in the area and all was quiet on the lake. A paddle around the lake is 3.3 km. There were loons and dragonflies on the lake. With smoky and hot conditions, once around the … Continue reading →