Tag Archives: paddling

Exploring Badger, Spooney, and Little Badger Lakes

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On a summer day I drove backroads to Badger Lake.    I launched my kayak then explored narrow marsh channels to get to Spooney Lake, then did a loop to do much of badger Lake.    After paddling, I secured the boat, then hiked secondary backroads to Little Badger Lake, a quiet and remote spot in the hills.

Badger Lake is one of the best paddling lakes in our area. I usually paddle the marsh channels where regular boats can’t reach. There are were ducks, marsh birds, and a muskrat ear Spooney Lake.

spooney

The track to Little Badger Lake would require 4WD. I went down a narrow trail to the lake’s edge, which would be okay for a hand launch.  It appeared that there was a better launch spot on the other side of the lake (0.5 km farther).

The hike was out and back. If I had hiked farther on the backroad, there is another lake to explore, but I am saving that for another day.

Rossmoore Lake Kayak and Hike

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On a hot day in July, I ventured out on the Long Lake Road, then continued on the bumpy Rossmoore Lake FSR for 16.5 km to Rossmoore Lake.   There is a small Rec Site on the lake, with a steep and rough boat launch.   On this day, I kayaked around the lake once, then hiked tracks and trails on the east side of the lake, visiting … Continue reading →

Monte Lake Kayaking

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Monte Lake is located by Highway 97 between Kamloops and Vernon.     The lake lies between the highway and a seldom-used railway.   A small community is on the northeast corner of the lake.   The hills surrounding the community and the lake were burned in the  2021 White Rock Lake fire. We can launch a boat from two spots, from a side road at the north end … Continue reading →

Paska Lake

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On a mid-May day with changeable weather I drove up the Lac le Jeune Road as it rained, but emerged into drier weather past Lac le Jeune.    From the start of the road to Logan Lake (Meadow Creek Rd.) to the turnoff is about 8 km and the lake is 8.5 km up the Paska Lake Road (paved).   I used the boat launch at the … Continue reading →

Paul Lake West Paddle

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On a sunny and mild April day the main gate to Paul Lake Provincial Park was closed, but the lake can be accessed from the west end of the lake.    A hand launch site is located next to the trailhead into the park.    I paddled up the lake along the north shoreline past Gibraltar Rock, then back on the same shore for a 5 … Continue reading →

Trapp Lake North Kayaking

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On a mild day with calm conditions, I drove down Highway 5A South to Trapp Lake for a second day of paddling, this time around the north end of the lake.   Trapp Lake is a good spot for early spring paddling since the lake is ice-free early and there is some protection from seasonal winds.     This lake is a muddy, alkaline lake though so it … Continue reading →

Early Kayaking on Jacko Lake

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At the end of March some of the lower elevation lakes became ice-free.    Some of the larger valley-bottom lakes had been clear for a few weeks, but large lakes and strong winds are not a good combination in cool temperatures, so I paddled on the river instead.     On a cool (2º ) morning there was a steady breeze our of the east, but I … Continue reading →

Winter Kayaking on the River

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The weather at end of January and early February was mild enough to allow dedicated paddlers to get out for some kayaking on our area rivers.    It is still too cool to venture out on a windy day, but if the temperatures are above 4º C and the winds are light, we can launch a kayak at the Pioneer Park boat launch and go up … Continue reading →

Late Season Kayaking

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Mild November weather has allowed dedicated paddlers an opportunity to extend the 2025 kayaking season on the water.   As long as the temperature is 2ºC or higher and the wind is 10 km/h or less, the day will be okay for paddling.    Since it is colder up in the high plateau hills, lower level lakes and the rivers are a better choice.   I find that … Continue reading →