McGillivray Lake is located in the Sun Peaks backcountry area, 6 km to the southeast, accessible by the McGillivray Forest Service Road. There is a good boat launch at the McGillivray Outpost, but there is also a Rec Site with a hand launch 1 km south. On a calm July weekday morning, I parked at the Outpost and launched into the lake to paddle … Continue reading →
On a sunny weekday morning I headed out early to paddle Lodgepole Lake and then hike around the Lake Trail. From the Lac le Jeune Road, I followed the Chuwhels Mountain Road up to the Lodgepole Lake Rec Site. The campground was mostly full but I arrived early and so there was no one on the lake and it was quiet in the camping … Continue reading →
Scuitto Lake is located in the Campbell Range area southeast of Kamloops and is accessed by the gravel Scuitto Lake Road from Barnhartvale. The road continues on to Campbell Lake. To launch a kayak onto Scuitto Lake we can use one of two boat launches on the north side of the lake. There is a BC Rec Site nearby. On this day, … Continue reading →
On a hot summer day I drove on backroads for an hour to get to Rossmoore Lake. There are some 4WD tracks to the lake, but the best road is the Rossmoore Lake Road, accessed by the Long Lake Road or the McConnell Forest Service Road. Either of the recommended roads are backcountry gravel roads, but do not need 4WD, although high clearance is recommended. When … Continue reading →
At the end of June I returned to Stake Lake to do three loops, two on the lake and one on the trails. I got an early start since it was the long July 1st weekend. I launched my kayak at 7:15 am and paddled twice around the lake, once in each direction. There were other boats on the water, quietly fishing. Two … Continue reading →
It is a longer drive on gravel roads to get to Saul and Tranquille Lakes. I have been to Tranquille Lake four times, passing Saul Lake on the Sawmill Lake Road on three of these days. On one trip I drove to Tranquille Lake and paddled around the lake, then drive back to Saul Lake and paddled it too. There is a signed turn … Continue reading →
At the end of June the weather was grey, but I still drove up to Community Mountain, turning off the Sun Peaks Road onto the Knouff Lake Road, then onto the Community Lake Forest Service Road to the Rec Site. For the long weekend the campground was mostly full, but an early start meant I was first on the lake. It was drizzling when I … Continue reading →
On a rainy day in June, overcast skies and wet weather discouraged hiking or paddling outings in the hills, but if the winds are not a factor, another choice is to go to a smaller lake with a kayak to paddle for about an hour. To stay comfortable, a rain jacket is needed and a spray skirt (or equivalent) can keep the legs dry. … Continue reading →
On a mid-June day I drove west toward Savona, then turned up the Six Mile Lake (Pat Lake) Road to go to the lakeshore. This route was the old road from Kamloops to Savona going around the southern end of Six Mile Hill and down to the Tunkwa Lake Road. When the Trans Canada Highway was improved, a route was cut through the Six … Continue reading →
With severe storms forecast starting later in the morning, I got out early and went to the closest lake from home. I was on the water by 8:15 am. There was some wind at the start and there were stronger gusts for much of the outing, and as I paddled back to the launch, there was a bit of rain. I paddled around … Continue reading →
