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Conference kaosws::canada

Title:True North Strong & Free
Notice:Introduction in Note 535, For Sale/Wanted in 524
Moderator:POLAR::RICHARDSON
Created:Fri Jun 19 1987
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1040
Total number of notes:13668

398.0. "NEED CANOE INFO - BRITISH COLUMBIA" by HOCUS::FOSTER () Thu Jan 10 1991 16:32

    write
    I'm interested in doing a canoe/camp vacation in British Columbia this
    summer and need advise/suggestions on the best area(s) in which to do
    this.
    
    I don't know the area at all, so any info you can supply will be much
    appreciated.
    
    Thanks,
    Kim
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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398.1Some optionsVAOU02::HALLIDAYthis lovely messThu Jan 10 1991 17:576
    Where will you be coming from? Do you want to *really* rough it, or
    just be moderately rough? You might consider places like Harrison Lake,
    the Bowron chain, Tweedsmuir...B.C. is a big place, and you have a
    zillion options.
    
    ...laura
398.2Remote, peaceful, scenicPOCUS::FOSTERMon Jan 14 1991 13:3314
    Hi Laura,
    
    We are coming from Albany, NY.  Flying into Seattle (I heard it's much
    cheaper this way), and making our way to wherever we decide to go.
    
    We would like to be remote (i.e., see wildlife, but not many people),
    tent camp (roughing it) and do about 7 days of canoeing.  It would be
    nice also to be near some hiking.  
    
    What time of year do you suggest doing this - the dry, non-buggy
    season?
    
    - Kim
    
398.3BC outdoors, water toursVAOU02::BOTMANPieter Botman - Vancouver SWSFri Feb 01 1991 03:5130
    Not to steer you away (the Bowron Lakes are well known and loved), but
    if you are not fixed on canoeing I would recommend sea kayaking and the
    B.C. coast.  
    
    In general, the most popular provincial parks and Federal Parks are
    quite crowded in the car camping areas during July and August.  
    
    Sea Kayaking allows you to see the coast, and essential mountains
    on the coast as well.  I went on a magnificent group trip to the Queen
    Charlottes last summer that I could go on and on about, but...
    Even less remote places are perfect for water tourism, examples are
    the San Juan/Gulf Islands (between mainland and Vanc Island), Vanc
    Island, Sunshine Coast and Desolation Sound.
    
    If you are into hiking/backpacking, a classic trip is the West Coast Trail,
    along the isolated west coast of Vancouver Island.  Cars and ferries
    get you to the end points, in between it's strictly foot power.  Fast
    hikers can do this in two long days, I think its 80-100 km or so.
    
    
    Bowron lakes are in the central interior, about 6 hour drive from
    Vancouver.  A very nice circular chain of lakes with minimal portages,
    this is a provincial park, and access is controlled at the entrance to
    limit simultaneous trips.  No reservations, I believe, you just wait
    in the park entrance area.
    
    Hope this helps, if you want more info, just ask...
    
    Pieter
    
398.4Bowron sounds good.POCUS::FOSTERThu May 02 1991 14:5914
    We would be doing this trip in early September (to avoid the crowds and
    bugs), altho not this year.
    
    Since we know nothing about kayaking (or sea kayaking), we will stick
    to canoe trips in the interior.
    
    Are there any river trips?  Class I/II only.
    
    We like the sound of Bowron - how can we get detailed info and maps on
    this area?   How long is it in miles and approx. days?
    
    Many thanks for all your information,
    Kim
    
398.5Well Grey Provincial ParkSKIVT::LUBOWSat May 25 1991 02:018
    Murtle Lake in Wells Grey Provicial Park is a fantastic spot.  It's a
    beautiful lake with many hiking trails to peaks, other lakes, falls ,
    etc. from it.  It has at least one island camp site and a bunch of 
    other nice sites.  We were there in mid-May, 1986 and we had the entire
    lake to ourselves for 5 days.  (Of course, there was still snow on
    the trails but you have to put up with some discomforts to get away
    from the people!)  I think it may also be possible to portage into 
    a river or lake from Murtle Lake...can't quite remember that part.