Pavilion Lake sits in Marble Canyon between Cache Creek and Lillooet. It is at the southern end of the Marble Range which runs north to Jesmond. It is in a karst formation of grey limestone, steep and ragged. The crystal blue waters of Pavilion Lake lie at the foot of the cliffs.

Not only are the waters of the lake crystal clear, they are also the home of freshwater microbialites, not found elsewhere except in very harsh environments. Microbialites are carbonate structures that form in water with the help of microorganisms. They are coral-like in their appearance. Go to the Pavilion Lake Research Project site for a fuller explanation (link).

We paddled out from the end of a small lane in the residential area. We paddled west to the marshy end of the lake and went down a narrow channel into the swamp, enjoying flowering aquatic plants, dragonflies, and marsh birds. BAck in the main lake, we then paddled downwind on this long, narrow lake.

A small offshore island made a good lunch spot. The shoreline between the road and the island is also the plunge/entry spot for divers who want to explore the microbialites below. We watched divers as they swam out to the deep water, their bubbles showing their route.

We continued down to the end of the lake and back where the cliffs of the Marble Range tower over the northeast shore.

On a warm sunny day, the azure skies, warm winds and blue-green water are a magical combination. We finished with a swim, cooling off after a 13 km paddle.