A Guide to the West Arm of Murtle Lake
For 4 days in the fall we paddled the whole shoreline of the west arm of Murtle Lake. This was a return trip having done it twice before, but this time I was determined to follow the contours and go into every bay and creek mouth as far as the terrain would allow.
On Day 1, we paddled over to Leo Island to establish a basecamp. On Day 2, I followed the shoreline of the western end of the lake, including Diamond Lagoon.
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On Day 3, I paddled east to follow the shoreline of Central Mountain then crossed the lake to explore the large southern bay between the Park Operator’s cabin and Fairyslipper Island.
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Later that day, I also explored 3 nearby campsites. Locations and distance from Murtle Lagoon Campsite are provided here (add 1.5 km from the launch too):
- Sandy Point Marine Campsite – N52 05.596 W119 39.633 (4 km)
- Arthur Marine Campsite – N52 06.191 W119 44.799 (10 km)
- Fairyslipper Island (landing) – N52 06.893 W119 43.971 (9.7 km)
- Leo Island Marine Campsite – N52 07.351 W119 45.495 (11.5 km)
- Birch Beach Marine Campsite – W52 07.485 W119 44.729 (10.8 km)
- Cottonwood Marine Campsite – W52 07.679 W119 45.389 (11.8 km)
- Tropicana Marine Campsite – W52 07.427 W119 46.702 (13 km)
- Smoker Island Marine Campsite – W52 08.180 W119 47.339 (14 km)
- File Creek Marine Campsite – W52 08.063 W119 49.571 (16 km)
- Kostal Marine Campsite – W52 07.717 W119 49.616 (16.5 km)
- Marine Campsite Facilities (BC Parks)
- Murtle Lake West Arm (article)
The Parks website listed above has a general map, but the File Creek Campsite is incorrectly placed (being corrected over the winter).
There are some trailheads and other features to explore too.
- Henrietta Lake trailhead – N52 04.765 W119 38.926 (watch for the posted sign)
- Central Mountain trailhead – N52 08.009 W119 46.312 (approximate – watch for the posted sign)
- File Creek – N52 08.063 W119 49.448
- File Creek portage – go to the north end of Kostal campsite
- Anderson River mouth – N52 08.254 W119 48.819
- Diamond Lagoon entrance – N52 06.966 W119 49.571
- MacDougall Falls trailhead – N52 06.580 W119 49.750 (approx. – look for the sign)
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At the far southwest end of Murtle Lake, the river starts with a short section of flowing water down into Diamond Lagoon. It is best to stay right on the way down to avoid submerged rocks on the left. The Lagoon itself is easy paddling, but rapids start at the end of the lagoon and the roar can be heard from the whole area.
There is a rough landing area on the south side of the Lagoon where a boat can be pulled up for those wanting to hike down to MacDougall Falls (4.5 km one way).
The south shore of Murtle Lake all the way from Diamond Lagoon to Fairyslipper Island is bordered by rough lava rock and there are many shallow rocky bays so caution must be taken if paddling the shoreline. The Kostal Cone is about 10km away so it may be responsible for the lava beds which have dammed and expanded the lake.
Similarly, the whole bay area out in front of the Anderson River is shallow and muddy. It is moose habitat though so keep an eye out for them (we spotted a bull and cow in the shallows).
The landing area for the Central Mountain hike is a bit rough too and the trail is overgrown and brushy until the subalpine. At the top there are great views but you have to traverse a fair distance to get the unobstructed views up the north arm.
Central Mountain
If you have to choose between this hike and the Wavy Range, go to Strait Creek and hike the Wavy Range Trail.
We like all of the campsites in the west end, but we prefer ones that allow us to see both ends of the lake to take in the sunrise and the sunset.
The setting sun to the west can color the whole lake when the conditions are right.
We picked the end of September to enjoy the fall colors, no mosquitoes, and few people on the lake. We had fine weather and no winds. We also know that the lake can get strong winds and foul weather. The nights were cold, but the days offered fine camping and paddling. We are already planning a return trip.
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