The Bowron Lakes Trip

I decided to put the posting in order under a separate page to make the story more readable in a logical order…basically from start to finish.

Please fell free to comment and share your stories if you also ventured out into the great wilderness area of BC. Thanks for stopping by…Rick

Bear Necessaries

Well we are off again on another journey. This urban adventurer is going to kayak for 5 to 6 days around the Bowron Lake circuit.

“Bowron Lake Park is a large wilderness area situated on the western slopes of the Cariboo Mountain Range. The world-renowned Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit encompasses a 116 km chain of lakes, waterways and connecting portages. This wilderness canoe trip takes from 6 to 10 days to complete, depending on your time frame and skill level. For those looking for a shorter trip, the west side of the circuit can be paddled in 2 to 4 days. It is recommended that those who attempt the circuit have some wilderness canoeing experience.”

Right…that’s me the experienced wilderness kayaker! What possible could go wrong with this picture.

They say (and when I find out who they is i will let you know) that your are bound to get some rain during the week. So we are prepared for just about anything as far as weather is concerned. Animals maybe a different story.

Unfortunately with the hint of bad weather and being surrounded by water 90% of the time, I have decided not to take my good equipment with me. Just something else to worry about. I will have two point and shot water proof 10 MB cameras and my trusted Canon 6 MB S3. The Canon is AA powered to I don’t have to worry about recharging the dedicated battery that the other cameras come with. Also, I will have a small video camera called the JAZZ. Great little video camera that I can take anywhere.

Looking at the time – I better get packing. As usual no matter how much I prep ahead of time – I am always under pressure to get things done.

So we are off to bear country. Prime bear country. Grizzlies and Blacks along with cougars and moose, we should have lots to see and take photos of.

I did some reading to prepare myself for any encounters of bears – big secret – don’t encounter them!

Black Bears don’t run or climb. Grizzlies you can climb, but make sure you are high enough because they can be very tall. (Doesn’t matter what tree I go for, I will look like meat on a stick!)

Don’t play dead with a black, but you can with a grizzly. (Too late, I will be dead from the heart attack!)

Grizzlies are brown but some blacks are brown too. Look for a hump. (That’s exactly what I will be looking for!)

Don’t take your day cloths that you have been cooking in, into the tent at night. No late night snacks in bed. (I thought about fishing, but I would have to clean the fish with no cloths on and that is just wrong is so many ways!)

Only take the food out of the cache that you will be using – that way you are only going to lose one meal not a whole weeks worth. (If the bear asks for more, I will not be in a position to argue!)

Bear Sprays have some effect, read the instructions to get full benefit…(Am a guy, who reads instructions, isn’t it pull the pin and throw it!)

My sister-in-law who is joining us, went up there to check out the lake levels and launch area. Here is the welcoming committee…I can not wait!

Cheers!

The Bowron Chain – Day One

Our adventure started with us signing in at the Registration Centre, watching a short video and getting some last minute instructions from the staff. With excited anticipation we finished loading our kayaks and proceeded to the start of the 2.4 km portage to Kibbee Lake.

Our departure was for noon. They only do the presentations at 9 and at noon and you must participate to get your tags to paddle. Once you have your tag, you can go anytime, but they like to stage the departures so there is no clumping. A large group from Washington State left a few hours before us and a small Vancouver group were weighing their gear – so we thought we would not be holding anyone back – too much.

If you do use a kayak, you are not required to weigh your gear. Because kayaks are limited on what they can carry, (they don’t know me well) they don’t have the 60 lb limits.

The first half of the journey is a gradual uphill climb and it is steeper than you think when you are dragging your kayak behind. Thought this section wouldn’t end. 2.4 km does not seem far, but with a huff and a puff and many rests, it took us about 2 hours.

The trail is not smooth with some exposed roots, pot holes and mud the going is not sprint and one has to pace one’s self like a marathon. Our system of having two on the kayaks, one pushing and the other pulling made climb easier .

We finally came to the start of Kibbee Lake where Kibbee Creek begins and where we can launch our kayaks. Our first lake was a very welcomed sight.

The launch areas, like a lot of them along the route are not the most users friendly. Some are steep, many are muddy and slick and most are small, only allowing a few to or one to launch at a time. The small Vancouver group showed up just as we were setting to launch, so we provided some entertainment on launching techniques. Nothing like an audience when you have not sat in your kayak for over a year and this is the first launch of the season! I swear the paddle skirt gets smaller every year!

There is no other better feeling when you start to paddle through calm waters, forested areas surrounded by mountains with birds singing unfamiliar tunes. The stress just melts away. We left the Vancouver group with a quick “happy paddling” and never saw them or anyone else for days. It was just us, the lakes and the wild animals.

Kibbee Lake is only 2.4 km. The lake was calm although it was cloudy. You felt you were in the middle of nowhere, isolated, no sounds of the city, just the sounds of the kayaks making their way through the water and the dipping of the paddles in a steady rhythm. Yes, our adventure has begun. All the research and planning was completed and there was no turning back now.

Well 2.4 km paddling does not take too much time and we were on our second portage in now time. This one was to Indianpoint Lake and was only 2 km long. Again it climbed and then would level out and descend to the lake. We were more prepared mentally for this one, having to endure the last one and we had a system. I recommend wheels for your canoe or kayak. I cannot imagine carrying your canoe and then going back for the gear. Many have done that in the past; including my father-in-law when he took his family on the trip back in the 70’s. My wife got to realize and appreciate the work and effort he put into the trip so that they could enjoy it.

Indianpoint Lake launch is at campsite #3. Around to the north along the lake shore is a Parks Branch Ranger cabin which looked very inviting because the weather was not clearing much. Although I don’t remember it raining at this point, I also don’t remember it being sunny either.

We paddled about half way down the lake and realized that the time was getting on and we still have camp to make and dinner. Campsite #5 was the one we picked. It was marked with a bear sign warning us of a recent bear sighting. This should be fun!

We were told not to cook where you tent. The site has only 3 pad areas and a cache to store your food. It’s very small and with no area for cooking. So after some short discussions we agreed that we had no choice but to cook near our tents but would make sure it was clean before retiring to the tents.

Dinner was a real welcome. We were chilled, tired and very hungry. There were 6 in our group – 3 couples and each was in charge of 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners. Lunches and snacks would be up to the individuals.

With the tents set up, dinner in the tummy there was not much else to do but get some sleep. Armed with bear spray, air horn and a hunting knife (saw a bear video of this guy in a tent stabbing this grizzly as it was making its way into his tent) we settled in for the night.

It was not more than 10 minutes when we heard a zipper go up, footsteps to the cache, the steel door opening and closing and then footsteps returning and the a zipper going down. Five more minutes and the same pattern of the zipper going up, footsteps, etc happened again. We found out in the morning that one of the group members had gum in his pocket. You cannot or should not take food with you into the tent. With the very kin sense of smell, apparently bears love gum.

The second trip to the cache was when another member realized she had dog biscuits in her pocket. Not sure what she was thinking taking dog biscuits, but having them in the tent was not a good idea either. I did a systems check – bear spray, air horn, video camera (if I was going to get eaten, I wanted it on tape)and hunting knife, and I drifted off to sleep…

Bowron Chain – Day Two

With the rains overnight and the gloomy morning, staying in the tent sleeping till 8 was not a bad idea. So day two was going to be a lazy start. Stretching old tired muscles and popping the Ibuprofen’s we had a filling breakfast to keep us charged for the rest of the day until we stopped for lunch.

By 10 we packed everything up and put on our damp paddling gear and pushed the kayaks onto the lake surface to paddle to our next stop and another portage. This one promised to be only 1.6 km, however it has a climb and descent which is more difficult then the last portages. But we made it through grunting, groaning and feeling like a pack mule. I knew I should have started that diet sooner!

Isaac Lake is about 3100 feet and is densely wooded and lined with snow capped mountains. The water like all the lakes we navigated through was crystal clear – and cold. The lake has many glacier fed streams and the Columbia Ice Fields are just east of the lake.

We paddled in more rain than sun but being tucked into the kayaks with the skirt on and good rain tops, the rain was not a problem. You were moving, doing something and keeping warm. When you stopped was a different story; you were damp, chilled and tired. Stopping at site 15a and it’s cooking shelter was a blessing.

: Looking west along the west arm of Isaac Lake from Campsite 15a. We have traveled 21 km in two days now.

Campsite 15a is in Wolverine Bay and the end of the west arm of Isaac Lake. It is near a Patrol Cabin, but we couldn’t find a trail to it and see if there was any news on the hockey game results. We actually didn’t really care – making our tents, making dinner and drying cloths were the priorities. The shelter had a cook stove but the door wouldn’t close properly so we could not generate a lot of heat from it. The six of us huddled around the stove, flipping our gloves like pancakes so they wouldn’t burn, but be dry for the morning. Telling stories and planning for the next day. We decided that we would start getting up early each morning and get a jump on the day. This way, if we wanted to explore we would have time to do so.

: Isaac Lake looking south from Wolverine Bay and Campsite 15a – our destination tomorrow.

While we were cooking, the flood gates opened and did it ever rain! It was so heavy, water was running off the roof of the shelter in sheets instead of drops. Not thinking of course, we walked in the rain to the lake to fill our water jugs only to realize that we could have just as easy put them under the eaves of the shelter and filled them up there.

By evening, the rain lightened up enough and eventually stopped for us to make our way to the tents. As we bedded down to the gentle patter of rain on the tent fly, a Loon could be heard in the distance…we have completed 21 km so far.

Bowron Chain – Day Three

At the end of our second day we had planned on being half way down Isaac Lake. The start of the third day finds us at the north end of the 31.2km main arm of Isaac. Isaac Lake is a large lake that is susceptible to high winds and rough waters. But at this very moment in the morning we woke up to the most beautiful morning so far!

: Looking west from where we came from the day before. What a difference a day makes!

: Looking south down the main arm of Isaac Lake.

: McCabe Ridge, looking south from Wolverine Bay and the campsite.

The sky was deep cool blue and if one could hang upside down for a moment, looking over the lake you would have a hard time telling what was the reflection and what was real. A very different contrast to the other mornings and a welcome treat. After a hardy breakfast we were off to enjoy the day. Our plan? Let’s see how far we get…

: Al waiting for the group to get ready. Will this sun last?

By 11 the skies started to really cloud up and it looked like mister sunshine was not going to stay around too long. While staying close to the east side in case the wind picked up, you could hear several deep roars of some serious water falling. We were told that there was a trail on the west side to one of the larger ones, but getting caught on that side might not be a good idea – again if the wind started to blow. So far we were doing good and making some good time down the lake. Our average speed was between 3 and 4 mph.

: Moxley Creek Cabin

: Inside the cabin, room for several people to stay warm and comfortable.

At around 11:30 we landed at the Moxley Creek Cabin. We had traveled already 11 km this morning and it was time for a break and a snack. The cabin looks very comfortable and would have been a nice treat to sleep in it for at least one night. It had a wood stove and bunks to sleep 3 to 4 couples. Cabins along the lake are to be shared. If another party arrives, it is customary and good manners to share the cabin, wood and stove. So far we have not seen anyone or heard anyone else on the lakes.

A couple of hours later we landed at Lynx Creek Campsite and another cabin. This one was smaller, but had enough bunks for a few people. We stayed long enough to snack, fill up water bottles and do some quick exploring. It was quick because you couldn’t go to far as the creek was running fast and overflowing into the camping area flooding. There was a nice flat spot to stretch out and look over the lake. I later found out that it was a helicopter pad for an emergency several years ago. Two park rangers cleared the area in just over an hour to fly an severely injuried woman out who had suffered injuries from a cottonwood “widow maker”.

: The helicopter pad, now a nice place for a picnic.

The winds started to pick up. Lucky they were blowing from the north so they were at our backs. To help with the travel, everyone but me had a kite to fly. Much like a sail, these over sized kites act like a parachute, only pulling you along as it fills with wind. You can only go down wind and a rudder helps. I didn’t have a rudder and therefore could not use one. The group was flying. I clocked them at 5 plus miles per hour and had a hard time keeping up. They were down the lake in no time with out dipping a paddle.

: If you can do it – do it! This is the only way to fly down the lake. High winds do make it an interesting ride, so beware.

By around 16:00 we managed to land at campsite 22. The winds were blowing and there were white caps on the lake. Landing proved harder than it looked and a couple of us swamped as we exited. Building a fire and a hot drink dried our souls out.

: Drying out after a sprint down the lake. So far we are only two thirds of the way and with only 2 spots here we had to move on.

There was supposed to be a geocache at the site, but we couldn’t find it, even with the clues. A group tried a couple of weeks earlier and couldn’t either. Such is geocaching. Geocaching can be a lot of fun and if you are interested in this activity, just visit www.geocaching.com

: There was time to do some geocaching. There is always time to do geocaching! Even with the clue, it didn’t help.

It was getting late and this site was limited on space for us. Only two sites and we needed at least three, so it was off to campsite 23. At this point we had traveled 20 km, battled some good waves and were still a little cool and damp.

: Arriving at campsite 23, completing 20 km today.

Campsite 23 is a medium site right on the lake shore. The evening had settled down however it remained cloudy, always threatening to rain on us at any moment. I will say this much – anytime we had to make camp and cook out in the open – the rains held until we crawled into the tents. Thank you for this…

Bowron Chain – Day Four

A new day but no change in the weather. It looked like rain and by the time we broke camp and got into our boats, it had started. We have traveled now about 42 km or 26 miles so far. It’s been wet, chilly, warm and sweaty but we are making progress and still in great spirits. The team is working well together, helping each other and looking out for each other. It’s not a place you want to osterizer yourself from the group.

Today we complete Isaac Lake and enter the river area and unfortunately more portages. Also we are looking forward to possibly seeing some wildlife. So far we have been skunked – nadda – nooshed… the only sign of wildlife was an actual sign with a bear on it!

So we are off in the rain. There is enough wind that some of our group put up their sails for a relaxing float down the lake. I choose the more traditional method of paddling my ass down. Although I was a bit envious of them, I am the only one that can say “I paddled the whole circuit!”

: The winds were again in our favour and for those that had sails, they were up again.

By noon we had completed the 31 km main arm of Isaac Lake and campsite 28. This site is large with a cooking shelter with a stove. Right now the place is empty with the exception of us. It feels like we have had the whole circuit to ourselves. Here we have a good stretch and lunch. I don’t know what I would do without “cup-a-soup.” Simple, warm and feels so good in a cool tummy going down. Also here we get a chance to see Isaac River and the area they call the Chute.

: Finally at the end of Isaac Lake. It was a bitter sweet moment, because we were faced with another 2.8 km portage.The shelter at site #28. There were several fish carving with peoples names and years that they paddled through. Many were complaining about the mosquitoes….There certainly a few, but nothing to complain about.

Experienced canoeists/kayakers can do the chute cutting off about 1.6 kms or 1 mile off of the portage. But to do so, you do risk dumping – but the thrill might be worth it. We did not feel comfortable although it was tempting. Maybe next time…

: A look at the chute. It don’t look too bad??

The walk to McLeary Lake was probably the easiest portage. Although there were sections of climbing, it didn’t seem to bad. Either we were now conditioned enough or we had emptied our kayaks of enough food now to make them lighter. I know at this point, my pants were fitting better, but I don’t think I was being conditioned. For me, I had perfected the technical aspects of dragging my kayak around on the wheels. Perfectly balanced until it hit a rock and crashed. The old wooden kayak took a beating!

: The start of the portage. A lot smoother more groomed then the others. It actually seemed easier?This is as far as you can go and must pull out.The pull out. Not ideal with the water level as it was. But with mixed feelings we all agreed that the walk was the better choice.

From the chute comes the roller coaster – more rougher waters. At that point all canoeists must get out and portage the rest of the way.

: Some of the reason for getting off the river!

The Isaac River portage is 2.8 km and you enter the river well away from the rapids, however the river is still running fairly fast. One at a time, we entered and with some strong paddling, got pointed into the right direction and let the river move us along. There was a back eddy about 100 meters down the river where we re-grouped for the rest of the paddle along this stretch until you reach a sign that basically says “GET OUT NOW!”

: Not the right way to park a boat…We re-enter the river here. You can see that it is still moving fast and was a little challenging to into the stream.The back eddy were we re-grouped.It was a fun and brief paddle. It took us to the other side of the river basically. You have no choice at this point, but to get out – for good reason!

There is a little 36 foot water fall called Isaac that sort of stands in the way. This fall was running. With the flooding waters and the rivers so high, this fall was dumping some serious water over it’s edges. There are trails leading to the river edge so you can get some great photos. Once around the falls you arrive at McLeary Lake.

: “The good reason!”

McLeary Lake is not a large lake and before we knew it we were at the end and now entering the Cariboo River. This area is were most of the accidents, swamping and spills occur. In fact we learned that a group did get into trouble and spilled, loosing a lot of their equipment that was not tied into the canoe. (Side bar: we found a water bottle and managed to return it to the right full owner later on. He was very grateful and thought it was lost for good.)

: McLeary Lake, only 1.2 km.

The river run was fun. Just fast enough to make it thrilling and in the kayaks you felt comfortable and safe. I have canoed and kayaking is the way to go for stability. I was surprised that there were not more kayaks used on this circuit.

: Entering the Cariboo River, a 5.2 km river that was running at about 4 mph making paddling pretty good, unless you had to fit a back eddy to get out!

The hazards are the deadheads and sweepers, (trees hanging over the bank ready to sweep you out of your canoe) and there were a few. We had spotted a couple of canoes on the river bank and I thought was a strange place to get out. It was actually one canoe, folded in half and looked like two! Don’t know the history on that one, but there was no one around to rescue. That was the first sign that humans were around – no signs of animals, with the exception of the gopher and a few squirrels at the last campsite.

We entered Lanezi Lake at around 16:30 and the wind was picking up. Unfortunately it was blowing toward us which was going to make going a little harder. I prefer to have a headwind and hit the waves a slight angle. They go over the boat better and I can see the waves. When the wave comes from behind and crests just before your boat, it can surprise you as it washes over your skirt, not to mention the cold trickle coming across your back.

: Lanezi Lake – 14.8 km long. The winds were picking up and it was time to head to the north side for protection and easier paddling.

We headed towards the north shore of this narrow lake where the paddling was much easier. It also is easier to see your progress. Paddling in the middle of the lake give you the impression that it is taking forever to get anywhere. Near the shore you can at least see the trees go by you and you know you are making progress. Plus if you dump, its a short swim to shore. But looking at the shore line of all these lakes so far, they are covered with dense forest. The only real clearings are the campsites.

: On the south shore slopes, several thin water falls could be seen and heard.

Two hours later we made it to campsite #34 with it’s shelter to find that a large group was occupying it, so we elected not to join them and go to 33 which was actually next door across the creek. Strange to now hear and see others on the route. We were not alone any more.

Day four had ended like all the others. A toast to the day and a crawl into the tents for restful sleep and dreams of encounters of wild animals…maybe moose…we were about to enter…moose country!

Bowron Chain – Day Five

The morning of day five was brighter and felt warmer than the others. There were still clouds overcasting the sky, but at least it was not raining.

Sometime during our little planning meeting in the morning, I realized that we were making a lot of progress. So much so that at this pace we could be home tomorrow. With this seed planted, it became hard not to focus on that fact and because the weather was not the best, the thought became even more appealing. But let’s just see how we make out today. If it’s nice, we could spend sometime exploring more. We could even slow our pace and enjoy the scene – now there’s a concept???

Lanezi Lake was a good paddle. In total it is 14.8 kmsWaters were calm, clear and emerald in colour. Just the way Mother Nature had intended it to be.

: Paddling down Lanezi Lake.

We soon came upon remnants of a glacier or an ice flow. The mountain range to the north is called Needle Point Ridge and looks to be covered in permanent snow – straight up from this flow where it met the waters edge.

: Small waterfalls line all lakes.At glacier edge…or it could be a deep snow bank?

At the outfall of the lake, the Cariboo River starts again and continues for just over a kilometer until you enter Sandy Lake. There is sand bar that reaches out from the shoreline on the right.

Sandy Lake is 4.8 kms and is known to be shallow. Today, however it was nothing but full of water. There is an island near the beginning that was half under water. There has been a lot of snow melting and rain over the last few weeks.

Sandy Lake had some very nice looking sandy beaches that would have been spectacular if it were not for the high water mark. In our original plans, we were going to camp at #38 or 39 which are located just at the end of the lake. Not this time around…maybe next time.

: Sandy Lake under a cloudy sky.

Once we left Sandy Lake we were once again on the Cariboo River. This stretch is almost 4 kms and has a nice slow flow to it. At this point however we were getting spread out too much and therefore communications with each other, from the lead to the rear was impossible.

There is a junction where the Cariboo River turns to the left and leads into Unna Lake, formally called Grizzly Lake. The lake is a beauty that was not to be missed, but we did. With unknown plans our group followed to the right and entered Babcock Creek. Part of the reason for not following the Cariboo was that the falls were closed and we thought that that was the only attraction in the area. When we regrouped and talked about the family trip, someone mentioned Unna and it was “Ah, we should have stopped there.”

Turning onto Babcock Creek one felt like you were entering another nature zone. Things were more marshy like (not marsha, marsha, marsha). Just before the portage a patrol cabin is situated and it’s one of the nicest we have seen!

: Rounding the bend on Babcock Creek coming across the Parks Patrol Cabin.

You used to be able to line your canoe rather than the portage. Lining means pulling your canoe along with “the line” walking along the shore, however here you have to get wet as there was no shoreline. But the sign said no lining, but we figured since we were kayaking and have a shallower draft, we may be able to paddle the creek. We made it to a log that was across the creek before turning back and doing the portage one more time.

The Babcock Creek Portage is only 1.2 kms and it felt strange to be portaging again. It provided the usual challenges but we were paddling on Babcock Lake in no time.

: Looking back towards Babcock Creek before we portaged to the next lake.

Babcock is not too long and flows into a small creek that ends with our second to last portage of the circuit to Skoi Lake. You got into Skoi and what seemed like a couple of paddle strokes you were at the end and doing another portage. This one was as long as Babcock’s (.4 km) and at the end was Spectacle Lake and our camp for the night.

: End of Babcock Lake and the start of our second to last portage!

We didn’t even take our wheels off, just unloaded the kayaks and quickly made camp. Tonight was going to be our Turkey Dinner!

Turkey Dinner for 6:

2 cans of turkey breasts; 2 boxes of stove top stuffing; 2 packages of instant mashed potatoes; dried cranberries; pack of instant turkey gravy

Heat the turkey in a large pot and set aside; make the stuffing in a separate pot but when boiling the water – add the cranberries so they boil and soften before adding the stuffing ingredients, once cooked following the instructions, dump into the large pot with the turkey; cook the mashed potatoes and then dump that in the pot; make the gravy and add that to the large pot – mix and serve! It is good!!!

: Evening looking over Spectacle Lake from campsite #44.

Although the mosquitoes where in full force, we got good use of our netting and bug cloths. At this point, bug spray was a must and I found spraying the door screens of the tent kept them off the tent until you got into it.

That night at dusk, Donna the elder (because she is the oldest sister) spotted a moose swimming across the lake. Maybe tomorrow we will see something. There were droppings and tracks all over the campsite, so who knows - tomorrow we finally get lucky! After all, in the last 92 kms we have not seen a thing as far as a “wild” animal…we were due!

The view just as the sun was taking a poke out for a brief moment. As it set Donna yelled, “There is something swimming across the lake!”

Bowron Chain – Day Six “The Home Stretch!”

“She, I am missing a food bag. Have you seen it?”

“I put everything in the cache. Did you look there?”

Having made two trips already to the cache, I was now determined that I was missing something and proceeded to unload the whole cache piece by piece. It was obvious that it was there and moving the bags around was not enough to discover the food bag containing breakfast. I was going to make pancakes, but nothing was going to happen until I found the bag.

Having emptied the cache and still not finding it I again shouted out to the wife, “It’s NOT in the cache.”

“What colour is the bag?”

“Green”

“Green?”

“Yes”

“I thought green bags were cloths?”

“Yes, all but one. The green bag marked breakfast and dinner contains food.”

“Found it!”

“Where?”

“In the tent.”

It now became apparently clear that my side of the tent was baited for some unapparent reason. It could be the conversation we had a few days ago as we were settling into the tent?

“Where is my bear spray?” Asked my wife as I turned around to get comfortable in my side of the sleeping bag.

“I don’t know where you put it.”

“It was right here.”

“Then it should be right there then.”

“Help me find it.”

“It don’t matter, there are no wild animals here anyway.”

“How do you know. It has to be here.”

“Did you look in the pile of cloths? Under the sleeping bag? What about outside?”

“Yes, yes, it’s not here.”

“Don’t worry about it and go to sleep.”

“You don’t care do you? You would sooner have us eaten and attacked then”

That’s my queue that I better be careful what I am about to say but of course being the insensitive guy I am.

“I think it’s attacked then eatened.”

The lights went out and I don’t remember much afterwards…

So this is how day six started. From being worried about having all the protection and taking all the precautions before we went to bed every night like it was a ritual that must be adhered to, we going and sleep with a food bag over our heads.

While it did prove another thing. THERE ARE NO ANIMALS HERE! There is some Ranger going around stomping animal tracks around the camps and throwing poop in various spots to get our hopes of and idea that there are wild animals around. They even went to the extent of hiring a mom and her two cub grizzles at the entrance to get us all excited about seeing more! I am sure we would have seen a moose if it was not for the fact that it was down for mechanical repairs!

“Hey! That moose is swimming across the lake again!”

Hearing that I snapped out of my petty fit and ran to grab my binoculars.

“Where?”

“There, about half way down the lake. See?”

I raised the binoculars to my eyes and started to focus on the dark object slowly making it’s way across the lake.

“That’s no moose. It’s a pair of loon’s swimming together!”

So this is how day six started…

Breakfast done, we loaded our stuff for the last time into the kayaks. We were committed now to complete the trip today. We have completed 92 of the 116 kms and all 10 kms of portages. Our score card was O for 5 for seeing any wild animals, but today was a new day. We were very optimistic because the area we will be paddling through is prime moose country. Marsh land, swampy and full of sweet cottonwoods. I am not sure if cottonwoods are sweet, I added it to the sentence because it sounded good, so don’t quote me on the sweet cottonwood thing.

: Leaving the camp in the morning, the group of guys from the states showed up. We had a chance to return the bottle to them that we had found earlier. It turned out that they had dumped in the river as the canoe was not as stable as they thought. They asked several questions about our rigs, the main one being “How stable are they?”

: The weather was no different than most days…cloudy with some sunny periods.

Spectacle Lake about a kilometer up to the right is Deer Bay. It looked too good for exploring to pass up. Man, if I were a moose, this is the place to hang out. I just drifted in the area and stopped and listened. Birds singing with the wind gently blowing through the trees adding the rustle of leaves to the chorus. Nothing…

About a third of the way up, the lake takes a s-curve to the right and then left past Pat Point. If we were going to the original plans, this is were we would have spent our last night. It is one of the finest campsites on the circuit. The campsite contains large sites and a shelter. Also there are two cabins for more comfort.

Continuing on you eventually come to Pavich Island. Originally called Deadman’s Island because of the many Takullis that died there from smallpox. The story goes that they got the disease for retribution for murdering a miner. There are several campsites in the area, on both sides of the island. We decided on number 51, a medium sized site for rest and snacks.

: Having a break and a snack at “Area 51″. No unusual sightings…or Unidentified Floating Objects

Past Pavich Island, although it is hard to tell, you are now actually on Swan Lake. In no time we passed the last campsite (53-54) before entering the Bowron Marsh or Slough area. This is the last opportunity to stop and camp in preparation for Bowron Lake. No stopping us now, we had home on the brain and it was one stroke after another until we reached the north shores of Bowron.

: Entering the slough and the location of the last campsites on the circuit. There is also a Rangers Cabin to the right – we go to the left…

It was very cool to paddle through the slough. We spread out a bit in hopes that one of us would spot something or sneak up on a moose. Every paddle around a bend, with hope in our hearts we searched for the elusive Bowron Lake moose. Like any mystical creature, it avoided any sightings. But we carried on…

: Entering and paddling our way along the Bowron River as it snakes through the slough. Somewhere here is a moose hiding.

We started to meet other people coming down from Bowron Lake doing this section in reverse. You can do this at half the fee, but can only go so far because of the Cariboo River current. The feeling of being alone, out in the middle of nowhere was gone. Today, we are part of the civilized world again.

: The water was high and you could enter the lake earlier then normal, but we continued to the left hugging the marsh areas.

The slough or river section is 4 kms long and when you get to the end you are greeted by a sign that says, no powerboats past here. We now have just over 7 kms to go and the activity has really picked up. There are canoes and power-boaters seen in several places ahead. But the weather was holding, sun was peeking through on occasion and the lake was glass. You could not ask for anything more for this last leg…

: Exiting the river and entering the Bowron Lake. Only 7.2 kms to go…for some reason my butt stopped hurting??

“Hey!”

“What?”

“I see a something coming out of the swamp area across the lake. It…yes, it’s a herd of moose!”

I heard (sic) everything now but turned around to look in the direction that I was being directed to and sure enough there were several black objects in a cluster coming out of an area that was isolated from our paddle route through the river. Boy that was a long sentence – it was on the opposite side of the lake…

With my binoculars to my eyes and focusing on the herd…

“Yup, it’s a herd alright. A herd of canoes and paddlers that is. Are you sure those…”

I stopped right there because I have to admit that I too wanted to see that herd of moose too. I would have accepted someone pointing to a speck in the mountains and said that was a bear and I would have counted it! Alas…it was not meant to be.

: The water was like glass and with the sun shining through at times, it made for some pretty good pictures. Now this is what kayaking is all about!At peace with the world…It don’t get any better then this…Everyone gets a paddle by photo…Showing good technic…Celebrating the journey…Ok, it’s a paddle by photo, not a stop and pose photo…McLeod and Tediko Peaks can be seen in the background.

At the end of circuit you have a choice. You can paddle to the right and go to the parks dock and portage to the parking lot. The other choice is to go to Beck’s Lodge to the left and there is a ramp next to the lodge where you can land and then walk to your car, bring it back and unload from here.

: The Park’s dock. It’s not ideal for getting out and portaging. We stepped out on the docks and towed the empty kayaks to Beck’s.

The best solution, which we took was to go to the parks dock, drop off the ladies, (at this point they sort of looked like ladies, but having put up with me for six days and working so hard to get here, they deserved some respect) and then tow the empties to Beck’s. At Beck’s we would wait for them while they walked to the vehicles and drove them to the ramp. We were a little worried that it would take longer then we thought when we realized that we left them with a full fridge of beer.

Yummmmm….beeeeer!

They were back shortly after we landed with beers in hand, they pasted them around and we toasted to the end of a great kayaking adventure!

We were sad to learn our home team lost the Stanley Cup and were even more shocked to hear that Vancouver got destroyed with some rioting. Nothing worse then sore losers…

Although we didn’t see any wild animals, we made it around without too many problems and in one piece and probably a little closer to our friends.

: Best Friends Forever…or as my daughter might say BFF…smile! We made it!A little tired, a little sore and a whole lot happy although it maybe hard to see here…but we are. (left to right: Al, Donna, Jon, Diane, Sheila and me)