When the North and South Thompson Rivers rise from the spring melt, the boat launch at McArthur Island can be used to access the Thompson River. During freshet, the volume of watyer increases and the current is stronger. Once we enter the river, we look for slower water to progress upstream. The north side shoreline can be followed towards Overlander … Continue reading…
One of the best paddling destinations we try to do every year is Clearwater Lake. The boat launch is at the very end of the Wells Gray Corridor Road. Beyond the launch is 22km of wilderness lake with treed shorelines and snow-capped mountains rising above. Along the shoreline are a few wilderness marine campsites. We have enjoyed going to the … Continue reading…
One of our best paddling lakes is Lac le Jeune. The ice comes off in the spring and we can paddle there in April, but at 4200 feet, we usually go to the lower lakes and the river first. Later in the season it is a busy place as boaters and fishermen fill the lake. Early in the season it … Continue reading…
One of the best lakes to paddle in our area is Paul Lake. We launch from the Provincial Park beach and follow the shoreline all the way around. We can head east or west and our choice is often governed by the wind. On this occasion I paddled west to Gibraltar Rock, then down to the west end of the … Continue reading…
A good early-season paddle is to launch at Pioneer Park and paddle down to the Confluence of the two rivers, then take a sharp right turn right to go up the North Thompson River. It is never an easy paddle upstream, but we look for the slowest water on the river, crossing back and forth, sometimes progressing quite slowly. This … Continue reading…
The South Thompson River is a well-used and busy river from June through mid-September, but there is very little activity on the river after October 1st. The river is lower and has a number of shallow areas, troublesome for power boats, but these pose no problem for canoes and kayaks. We launched our kayaks at the Lafarge Bridge (NE side … Continue reading…
Paddling down the Shuswap River is a delight at any time, but it is a special experience during the peak of the salmon run. The sockeye spawn in the gravel shallows in the upper river. The river is full of red-colored sockeye and black-headed spring salmon, most moving upstream, but some in redds near the shore, some leaping out of … Continue reading…
It would be rare to meet someone at Painted Bluffs. It is a remote and quiet spot on the north side of Kamloops Lake. For those who do visit the site, most stay on the lower slopes, but some of the upper gullies and ridges have some surprises for explorers. On this last paddle and hike, I was able to … Continue reading…
Tunkwa Lake is reached on the the Tunkwa Lake Forest Service Road from Logan Lake (15km) or from Savona (km). The lake lies entirely within Tunkwa Lake Provincial Park. Follow the paved road to the campground and look for the gravel launch on your left. The lake is a busy fishing lake so paddlers can choose a quieter time to … Continue reading…
From Tobiano we can launch our kayaks and canoes into Kamloops Lake and then paddle across the lake for 2.2km to Peregrine Bluffs. This rocky rib is called Perergine Bluffs because peregrine falcons nest on the cliffs. Look for the guano on the rocks for their nests. The north side of Kamloops Lake is rocky and there are no homes … Continue reading…
Mamit Lake borders the road that goes from Logan Lake to Merritt (Highway 97). From the juction west of Logan Lake, drive 11.5km south. There are 3 pullouts next to the lake and there is a boat launch at the second one. A good gravel beach is excellent for a hand launch. The paddle around the circumference of the lake … Continue reading…
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 … Continue reading…
Mahood Lake lies in the western edge of Wells Gray Park, but must be approached from the west, so from Kamloops we drive to Little Fort (95km), then west on Highway 24 (Interlakes) for 70km, then we turn north at Sheridan Corner onto the Horse Lake Road, then the Mahood Road (8000 Rd.) for about 40km to Canim Lake, and … Continue reading…
Each year, we paddle the 36 km route down the North Thompson River from the McLure Ferry to Westsyde Road. It is different experience each time, depending on the volume of water in the river. Before the spring melt, the river has extensive sand and gravel bars and the water moves more slowly. During freshet, the river is wide and … Continue reading…
The Eagle River runs west from Eagle Pass in the Monashees down to Sicamous and into Shuswap Lake. There is really not enough water in the upper end of the river to paddle, but when the Perry River joins the river, there is enough water to paddle from Craigellachie or Malakwa. On the upper river there are fallen trees, … Continue reading…
Janice Lake (sometimes called Long Island Lake) lies next to Highway 24 (Interlakes) at the McDonald Summit. The turn-off to the Recreation Site on the shoreline is 22.5km from Little Fort. The access road is a bit rough and leads to a cleared area with 3 campsites and a steeper final slope down to the lakeshore. I … Continue reading…
