The Copper Island route has been featured in a past post (link).   This time, we left Shuswap Lake Park in flood.   All of the beaches were under water.   Debris flanked the possible entry points.   Mosquitoes were breeding in the standing water in low points.    We launched nonetheless and to our delight, the ban on speed boats made the 2km crossing more peaceful.   We paddled around the north side of the island to the landing spot on the east side.   There is usually a small cove with a pebbly beach landing, but high water covered any possibility of a bow landing.   We pulled out kayaks alongside some grassy banks and secured the  boats.   The hike is a 3km loop, climbing to the top of the steep-sided island.   Viewpoints are numerous on the south and west sides of the island.

Flowering spirea, ocean spray, Oregon grape, thimble berry, huckleberry, and mock orange decorate the hillsides.   Bald eagles and osprey perched on branches overlooking the cliffs.    By the time we paddled back to Scotch Creek, more late-riser boaters were up, but we paddled in a chevron formation back to the camping area.   Neither the paddle nor the hike is a long route, but the combined route makes a very pleasant half-day trip in fine weather.   This was our third trip, and we will return for many more.