With the unseasonably warm weather we enjoyed in May we decided to head for Quadra Island and the Main Lakes Chain (Village Bay) canoe route.
Author: Marek
Victoria Lake – Port Alice
Last September (Sept 13-14, 2017) I was fortunate enough to spend a couple of days getting acquainted with Victoria Lake, near Port Alice BC. This is a large (~16 km²), stunningly beautiful, mountainous island lake and, to my mind at least, one of Vancouver Islands great hidden treasures. Although the lake has a reputation for […]
Fourth Lake Secret
Fourth Lake is a secluded mountain lake that few residents of Nanaimo, let along Vancouver Island, even know exists, and fewer yet have ever seen. Part of the Nanaimo Lakes chain, Fourth lake is a damned reservoir providing drinking water for the City of Nanaimo. Consequently it’s a strange place to paddle. Late in the […]
Westwood Wonder
Although Westwood Lake is located well within Nanaimo’s City limits, on this autumn afternoon (Oct 27, 2017) it felt more like a tiny enchanted piece of wilderness. I found the Westwood Lake Park without difficulty and right at the entrance is a sandy boat launch, perfect for canoes or kayaks. Being a man made lake […]
Cowichan Lake North Arm Perfection
I’ve paddled Cowichan Lake many times but this day was something special. Despite it being October (Oct 5, 2017), temperatures climbed to around the 20°C mark and the lake was windless in the afternoon, something that almost never happens on the notoriously windy Cowichan Lake. I’d not paddled the North arm of the lake this […]
Messachie Lake
Messachie Lake is one of those charming little lakes that you drive past and think, that looks interesting, but never quite get around to actually visiting. Last summer (Aug 7, 2017) I finally got around to paddling Messachie Lake, and I’m glad I did. It took some sleuthing but I finally found a public access […]
Cameron Lake
Last Sunday (Oct 1, 2017) I enjoyed a brief love affair with Cameron Lake. It’s hard not to fall in love with this lovely, crystal clear lake, set amidst high forested hills. It’s one of those special lakes that could only be on Vancouver Island.
Nahwitti Lake
A few weeks ago (Sept 11, 2017) I was fortunate enough to spend an afternoon exploring Nahwitti Lake. On that day we had this lovely secluded gem of a lake, surrounded by dense coniferous forest, all to ourselves. Paddling out from the the Nahwitti Lake Recreation Site, we paddled East following the north shore and […]
Horne Lake
I’ve been told Horne Lake is a pretty busy place during the summer months but on a warm September afternoon I had this gorgeous lake all to myself. Public access is via Horne Lake Regional Park and camp ground located at the western end of the lake. The park, the boat launch and the campground […]
Stella Lake
Recently (Spet 10-11, 2017) I was lucky enough to spend an enjoyable night on Stella Lake, just north of Campbell River. It’s part of a group of three lakes, Stella, Pye and McCreight Lake (four if you count Roberts Lake) just north of Highway 19 near Elk Bay. We stayed at the Stella Beach Recreation […]