Bowron Lakes Canoe Tour

Itinerary

The Bowron Lakes Canoe tour is operated by our sister company, Sea to Sky Expeditions. This is our typical itinerary for this tour. Because we are travelling in wilderness, itineraries can change. There are many factors that can affect how a tour actually runs. We confirm pickup times by phone, email or SMS at least 12 hours before.

Most of our tours are group tours. On these tours, you enter into a group dynamic. Decisions made by our leaders are directed to the welfare of the group. Although they strive to meet individual needs, the overall welfare of the group takes precedence over the specific wishes of individuals.

This trip begins in Vancouver. We pick up at specific locations.
Plan on being at at the meeting point at least one day before (Day ZERO) the start date of your trip, by 6:00 pm.

• Day ZERO

  Arrival in Vancouver.

• Day One

  We pick up around 6:00 am from three hotels near the Vancouver International Airport-the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Airport, the Accent Inn Vancouver Airport, and Holiday Inn Vancouver Airport. We pick up early in the morning for our scenic drive to eastern British Columbia, passing along one of two routes to Cache Creek and then into the Caribou Region of BC. We will stop for dinner in Quesnel, with various lunch and rest stops along the way. Our final destination is either Bear River Mercantile or Becker's Lodge.
  All meals on this travel day are your responsibility.

• Day Two

  We will attend an 9:00 am orientation at the park registration center. This is a requirement of the park. You’ll be wondering whether this is indeed a canoeing expedition as the two longest portages along the circuit are today. The portages are made easier by the use of specially designed carts that allow canoes and some group equipment to be wheeled between lakes. Personal Equipment must be carried in the Dry Packs we provide.
  The first portage to Kibbee Lake (2.4 km). Along the way will be evidence of a blowdown area. In 1975 a fierce storm, with winds over 100 km/h, knocked trees over like bowling pins. Kibbee Lake is a short lake, only 2.4 km long. Just the ideal length to begin to work on technique and acclimatizing muscles. As we paddle across the lake we will pass a creek which drains Thompson Lake. In the distance we will see the snowcapped mountains of the Cariboo Range. Our second portage (2 km) will take us to Indianpoint Lake. A short paddle (2.8 km) will bring us to our campsite at Kruger Bay (#1).
  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided (B, L, D)

• Day Three

  About 2.5 km from Kruger Bay, Indianpoint Lake narrows and our route wanders through a small marsh. Beaver dams and lodges dot the area. The Isaac Lake portage (1.6 km) brings us to Isaac Lake, the longest (38 km) lake on the circuit. Some of the most breathtaking alpine scenery is located along Isaac and Lanezi lakes. Our campsite is Wolverine Bay (#2). Across the lake from our campsite is Wolverine Mountain (2,056 m) and Mount Peever (2,100 m). A number of peaks have been named for servicemen killed during WWII.
  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided (B, L, D)

• Day Four

  Isaac Lake is notorious for its winds and sudden squalls. We will get an early start to take advantage of the morning calm. This will be a day to enjoy the surrounding grandeur and absence of any portages. We will stop to see the cabin at Moxley Creek (4 km) and take in some of the earlier “artwork” of circuit paddlers. Another cabin is located at Lynx Creek (7.6 km) near Betty Wendle Creek. Our campsite (#3) is about another 8 km.
  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided (B, L, D)

• Day Five

  Once again we will get an early start to take advantage of the calm. Our paddle continues amidst the surrounding peaks and ridges to our destination at the end of Isaac Lake (#4). This will be a short day. Weather and conditions cooperating, we will have time to play in the fast water of Isaac River.

• Day Six

  Guess what? It’s portage time again. The Isaac River connects Isaac Lake with McLeary Lake. Although part of the river can be run, we won’t take any chances. After about a 1.6 km portage we will put in on Isaac River and cross over to the other side and continue portaging (1.2 km) to McLeary Lake. Along this stretch we will hike off the path to view Isaac Falls (11 m). McLeary Lake (1.2 km) is but a backwater formed by the confluence of the Isaac and Cariboo rivers. Having paddled McLeary we will enter the Cariboo River for a winding (5.2 km) ride into Lanezi Lake. A review of response to various scenarios and paddling technique, with attention to stumps and sweepers in the river, will result in a safe experience. Our campsite is at Turner Creek (#5).
  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided (B, L, D)

• Day Seven

  Our paddle on Lanezi Lake takes us past imposing Ishpa Mountain (2530 m). Ishpa is Takulli for My Father. We enter a short section of the Cariboo River at the end of Lanezi. This 1.2 km stretch of river brings us to Sandy Lake. Just before Sandy Lake are mineral deposits which attract animals. Keep your eyes peeled! Sandy Lake is as the name implies. Shallow water and sandy beaches make it an ideal spot to take a dip. At the end of Sandy Lake (4.8 km) we once again enter the Cariboo River for 4 km. Our campsite is Unna Lake (#6), a beautiful spot. The vegetation is unique here, as it lies in a rain-shadow area, and as a result, is much drier than surrounding areas. After setting up camp, we will paddle to the south end of the lake and then hike 1.5 km to spectacular Cariboo Falls (26 m).
  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided (B, L, D)

• Day Eight

  You will have become aware of the change from the high mountains and ridges of Isaac and Lanezi to a more undulating topography. We will backtrack to Babcock Creek. The creek (1.2 km) empties into Babcock Lake. We have to portage our canoes to Babcock Lake. Babcock Lake (2.8 km) is an ideal location to observe moose, who enjoy the lush vegetation along its shoreline. A short (very) portage (400 m) will bring us to Skoi (pronounced squaw) Lake (0.6 km). No sooner do we put in, than we begin another short (very) and final portage (400 m) to Spectacle Lakes. Our campsite is Pat Point (#7), 5.2 km from our Spectacle Lakes put in point.
  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided (B, L, D)

• Day Nine

  This is our last day on the circuit. We will leave early in the morning in the hopes of completing our paddle by mid- afternoon. It is 3.2 km from Pat Point to Swan Lake. Swan Lake (5 km) is an extension of Spectacle Lakes. Our paddle will take us past Pavich Island, once named Deadman’s Island, as it was believed that many Takullis died here from small pox. At the end of Swan Lake we will enter the Bowron River for 4 km. The Bowron River estuary is a prime bird area. There is an immense variety of bird life found here. The Bowron River empties into Bowron Lake (7.2 km) and the last lake in the circuit. The lake permits power boats and a number of private residences can be seen along its shore.
  The lead guide and Parks Canada may need to make alterations to travel and campsite selections, during your Bowron Lakes tour.
  Once we take off the lakes, the canoeing portion of the tour is officially over. We still have to clean up and put the canoes to bed. Our hope is that we will have sufficient time left in the day to visit Barkerville, the restored historical center of the Cariboo Gold Rush.
  [Barkerville entry fee cost is your responsibility.
  Adults (19-64): $14.50
  Seniors (65+): $13.50]
  From there, we will travel to Quesnel or Williams Lake for dinner and a night's sleep before returning to Vacouver.
  Breakfast and Lunch provided (B, L)
  Accommodation provided

• Day Ten

  We will leave after an early breakfast to drive back to Vancouver and drop off. Stopping along the way for rest stops at sites of interest. We plan on being back in Vancouver for early evening.
  Meals not provided on this travel day

Preparing For Your Trip

How you prepare for your adventure is important. Being well prepared will enhance the quality of your experience. Because we are travelling in wilderness, it is very important for you and for the rest of your adventure group that you are fit enough to handle the level of difficulty and demand with no problems. Our guides know how to minimize the impact of these demands as much as possible, but they cannot remove them. The depth of your experience can only increase if you have made sure that you have prepared well.

Your preparation will be different for different activities. Preparing for a kayak trip is different from preparing for a hiking trip. We have provided some basic information that can be downloaded through the following links to pdf documents.

Use the links below to download some of the preparation files for this hiking or kayaking tour. When you book your tour, we will send you a complete preparation packet to help you get ready.Please take this seriously. Most people are unaware of the demands of a coastal environment, particularly with keeping dry and warm. Your preparation will really help make your coastal hiking or kayaking tour a great experience.

Canoeing Preparation package

Need Gear?

We have gear available to rent if you don't want to buy a particular piece of equipment, or need to travel without it. 

Look over the following list to help you decide whether you want to rent. If you decide to rent gear, you can tell us on the phone or book it online with your tour.