Tag Archives: portage

Upper Pinantan Lake

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

We have enjoyed paddling Pinantan Lake, but we really like paddling up a narrow channel to the hidden upper lake.

Little PinantanThe entrance to the lagoon channel is at the east end of the lake.   It can be paddled in a canoe or kayak, but there is a dam-like blockage partway through that requires getting out of the boat and pulling it over the obstacle.

pinantan 005rIt is easy paddling on the other side and we emerged into the upper lake, an extra one kilometer shoreline loop.

pinantan 011rThere is no road access to the upper lake and it surrounded by swamp and meadows, a peaceful spot that is inaccessible to most other people.   We saw only loons and ducks on the lake on this last paddle.

pinantan 006brLaunching from the community park, we did the shoreline of both lakes, a 6km morning paddle.   The main body of Pinantan allows only electric motors so it is less busy and much less noisy than other area lakes.

pinantan 020rThis is a favorite, one we will return to do every year.

Emar Lakes Provincial Park

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

Emar Lakes Park was created in 1996 as a wilderness area of small lakes, potholes, and wet areas in a forested area off Highway 24.  The lakes are used by fishermen, but there is also a lake chain loop with portages for canoeists and kayakers.   Access is from Janice Lake Recreation Site or from Willowgrouse Recreation Site.  The trails/portages are mostly user maintained and have become difficult with windfall.   To do the loop counter-clockwise, paddlers would have to do the following:

  • launch at Janice Lake (link to an article) at N51 29.457 W120 24.410
  • paddle 1.5km to the landing spot (at N50 29.115 W120 25.090)
  • portage for 1030 metres to Club Lake (past Next Lake)
  • paddle to the end of Club Lake (780m)
  • portage 100m to Boulder Lake
  • paddle across Boulder Lake (400m)
  • portage 400m to Willowgrouse Lake
  • option to paddle Willowgrouse Lake (670m) then portage out the campsite (500m) or
  • paddle across Willowgrouse following the loop (230m)
  • portage 150m to Emar Lake
  • paddle across Emar Lake (1.2 km)
  • portage 450m to a pothole lake then 100m into Sedge Lake (or push through to Dytiscid Lake)
  • paddle across Sedge Lake (220m)
  • portage 700m to the end of Janice Lake
  • paddle to the start (400m)
Janice Lake 012c Janice Lake 005c

All of the trails are currently closed with windfall and danger trees on the route.   Hopefully Parks can find some funding or perhaps volunteer user groups can help keep the routes open (count me in)?   A BC Parks map is included here and more information can also be found on the Parks website (link).

emar_lk_map