The first half of the Bowron Lakes Circuit is a challenge with difficult portages, some rough campsites,  and long paddles.  The return to Bowron Lake, the second half of the Circuit, is a much more enjoyable wilderness experience.   The Bowron River empties into Lanezi Lake then there is another shorter downriver paddle to Sandy Lake, an easy paddle with the current.   From Sandy Lake there are no long or difficult portages all the way to the launch/landing at the north end of Bowron Lake.

There are wide sandy beaches on Sandy Lake and fine scenery back up the Cariboo River Valley.   The weather had improved by this point.

The Cariboo River runs along between Needlepoint Ridge on the north and the Cariboo Mountains on the south side.   There was a fresh layer of snow on the 8000 foot mountains.

Sandy Lake is a fine spot for paddle-camping but it is an even better with clearing skies.

From Sandy Lake, there is another 3.7 km paddle down the river.   Paddlers can choose to continue downriver to Unna Lake to camp and to hike the trail down to Cariboo Falls or they can veer into Babcock Creek to start the uphill (but reasonable) 1.1 km portage to Babcock Lake.   For kayakers, a series of short portages becomes a series of chores – unloading, hauling, and reloading.   Across Babock Lake is a 2.8 km paddle followed by two shorter portages with one brief paddle in-between (0.4 km, 0.6 km, 0.3 km).   Once we entered the Spectacle Lakes, the portages were over and we just paddled down the lake to a fine campground on a point with views in both directions

The route continued up the lake to the northeast, for 13 km down Spectacle Lake into Swan Lake and then to the outlet.  The west end of Bowron Provincial Park has lower and more rounded hills as compared to the mountainous east side.

After days of wind and rain, it was wonderful to have calm and clear conditions for the final part of the trip.

From the north end of Swan Lake a channel drains down toward Bowron Lake and the Bowron River enters from the east along this 3km section of easy paddling.

The start of fall brought some color the shores of Bowron Lake.   The final paddle across Bowron Lake is 7 km.   The BC Parks landing is just a dock and steep walkway in a marshy area, followed by a steep trail, an awkward set-up for a loaded kayak.   We would land over at the boat launch on the west side next time and walk back to get our vehicles.

After having done the whole circuit, in retrospect, we found the first half of the Bowron Lakes Circuit to be a demanding challenge for long kayaks, especially in marginal weather and muddy conditions.

The second half was an enjoyable backcountry paddle in beautiful terrain.   The Return to Bowron Lakes section from the Cariboo River to the end of Bowron Lake is so good that we may return to paddle the west end only.   This shorter route goes from Bowron Lake to Unna Lake (with an extra  hike to Cariboo Falls), a 60 km out-and back route with 3 short portages, although the portages could be done with an unloaded boat if camping on Spectacle Lake.

• The first part of the articles – Bowron Lakes Circuit
• Special thanks to Ian and Wilma Hyslop.