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Bowron Lakes Canoe Trip Itinerary

A complete itinerary along with maps, clothing and equipment list, will be issued upon registration.

Day 0: Arrival at Bear River Mercantile at the park, in Williams Lake, or Quesnel. Pick-up can be made in the afternoon, at the Williams Lake Airport, by 3:00 pm, or Quesnel Airport, by 4:30 pm. Flights must be arranged to meet this timing. Transportation from Williams Lake or Quesnel to Bowron Lakes will be in our 15 passenger van. Our campsite this night is in the cabins at Bear River Mercantile. We will use the evening to prepare for the next morning.

Day 1:  We have our orientation for the park as a large group, then set off after packing our gear. 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 which allow canoes and a some equipment to be wheeled between lakes. The first portage is to Kibbee Lake. Kibbee Lake is a short lake, only 2.4 km long. Just the ideal length to begin to work on technique and acclimatizing muscles. Our second portage (2 km) will take us to Indianpoint Lake. A short paddle will bring us to our campsite at Kruger Bay.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided (B, L, D)

Day 2: To Wolverine Bay

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 lake on the circuit. Some of the most breathtaking alpine scenery is located along Isaac and Lanezi lakes. Our campsite is Wolverine Bay.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided (B, L, D)

Day 3: To Isaac Lake

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 and take in some of the earlier “artwork” of circuit paddlers. We will camp along Isaac.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided (B, L, D)

Day 4: To the head of Isaac River

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. This will be a short day. Weather and conditions cooperating, we will have time to play in the fast water of Isaac River.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided (B, L, D)

Day 5: To Turner Creek

It’s portage time again. The Isaac River connects Isaac Lake with McLeary Lake. 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. McLeary Lake 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. Our campsite is at Turner Creek.point.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided (B, L, D)

Day 6: To Unna Lake and Cariboo Falls

Our paddle on Lanezi Lake takes us past imposing Ishpa Mountain (2530 m). 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. 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 we once again enter the Cariboo River for 4 km. Our campsite is Unna Lake. 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. point.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided (B, L, D)

Day 7: To Pat Point, Spectable Lake: 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)

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 8: To Bowron Lake and drive into Quesnel: 

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 are back at Bear River Mecantile, the tour is officially over, but we will have a courtesy drop off in Quesnel or Williams Lake. Our hope is that we will have sufficient time for those using our drop off service to visit Barkerville, a restored historical center of the Cariboo Gold Rush. Barkerville entry fee cost is your responsibility. Adults (19-64): $14.50 Seniors (65+): $13.50

We will drop off either at Quesnel or Williams Lake for the evening and say our goodbyes. point.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided (B, L, D)

 

What’s included in this tour (Items that are covered in the cost of the tour price).

  • Transportation from the point of origin and return
  • Cabin (or camping) at Bear Mercantile
  • Accommodation in Quesnel or Williams Lake on the return
  • Canoes and paddling gear (pfd, paddle, gumboots, etc.)
  • Canoe cart
  • Canoeing dry pack (portage pack) and dry bags
  • Snacks/beverages on the expedition
  • All meals while on the canoeing portion
  • Meal preparation
  • Camping fees
  • Exceptional guides for the entire journey
  • Cooking gear/camp stoves/water filtration
  • Tents & tarps
  • Emergency radio/satellite phone/major first aid supplies
  • We can provide sleeping bags & sleeping pads for rent
  • You will be responsible for food you may want on travel days

What’s not included in this tour (Items that are NOT covered in the cost of the tour price).

  • Transportation to the point of origin, transfers, personal equipment, accommodation, and food other than included in the itinerary.
  • Gratuities are not included. Our guides make every effort to ensure your holiday is all you expected and more. Recognition of a job well done is always appreciated; $10-20/day per guide is recommended.
  • Single tents (available for a single supplement charge)

Prices do not include the 5% GST sales tax.

In the interest of participant safety and well-being, the guide / instructor may alter the actual trip itinerary at their discretion.

Please Note: Prices and Itineraries are subject to change with notice on the main web page. Once a booking is in place no price increases will be applied.

Booking and Payment: The booking requires a 30% deposit by Visa or Master Card with the balance due 60 days prior to trip departure 

The trip dates do sell out so please book early to get the trip dates you want.

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