Lake canoeing in Wells Gray Provincial Park, BC

DAY 1

We will pick you up at your accommodation, or meet you at our office and drive 1 hour to the canoe dock on Clearwater Lake. We then paddle approximately 2.5 to 4 hours to our beach campsite. All campsites have outhouses, tables, fire-pits, and tent sites.

DAY 2

Today there are many options. We can pack a lunch and explore up lake for fishing holes or paddle to the end of the lake where the Clearwater River pours into the lake and forms a small lagoon. You may choose to swim or sit in the sun and read or choose a combination of all these activities. 

DAY 3

Today we have a leisurely start. After breakfast and a swim, we can start to take camp down. We load up the canoes and paddle down the other side of the lake to the canoe dock. We then start back down the Wells Gray Road for a tour of the famous waterfalls. We will visit Helmecken Falls (the fourth highest in Canada) and walk into Dawson Falls. You will be awed by your Wells Gray wild waters experience. 

DAY 1

After a pickup at your accommodation in Clearwater or our office, you have a scenic one hour drive to Clearwater Lake and the trips starting point. You start with a bit of canoe instruction and then paddle approximately four hours to a beautiful sandy beach campsite. All campsites have outhouses, tables, firepits, and tent sites.

DAY 2

Paddle north up Clearwater Lake for two hours and reach the mouth of the Clearwater River. You take one hour to paddle up the river to the portage site, and then carry the gear and equipment across the portage to Azure Lake. The portage is only 1 mile and will take two hours to unload, carry the route, and reload the canoes. Another one hour paddle brings us to our camp, a beautiful beach surrounded by an old growth forest of giant cedar trees.

DAY 3

You paddle for three hours along the south shore of Azure Lake. Azure Lake is so different from Clearwater Lake you will be amazed. The crystal clear water of Clearwater contrasts sharply with the sky-blue glacier fed waters of Azure Lake. The terrain changes also, with the easy shorelines of the Clearwater giving way to spectacular cliffs and snow capped peaks of Azure Lake. As we paddle, we pass small streams cascading over the cliffs into the lake, and the views are spectacular. Finally, you glimpse the crescent of white sand where the rainbow falls plunges into the Azure lake. This gorgeous spot will be your home for two nights.

DAY 4

A rest day at Rainbow Falls provides the opportunity to fishing and hiking in the area surrounding the falls.

DAY 5

A good days paddle along the north shore of Azure Lake and down the Clearwater River. This is a safe river run, which gives the now experienced canoeist a feel for moving water. You arrive on Clearwater Lake and camp on the west shore.

DAY 6

A four hour paddle back to the put-in-point and the vehicle. You get off the lake in the early afternoon. On the return drive you stop in and see the famous Helmcken and Dawson waterfalls along the way and also visit Green Mountain lookout to get a feel for the immensity of this wilderness park.

Total distance of the trip is 60 miles.

DAY 1

CANOE - After meeting at our office at 9:00 or a 9:15 to 9:30 am pickup at your accommodation, we will cover pre-trip information and sign liability waivers. We then have a scenic one-hour drive to Clearwater Lake and the trips starting point. You start with one and a half-hours of canoe instruction, and then paddle approximately three hours to a beautiful sandy beach campsite.

DAY 2

CANOE - Today you get an early start on the lake and paddle up the western shore to the mouth of the Clearwater River. There is also an old trapper's cabin hidden beside a lagoon that you can visit. We follow the afternoon sun and travel down the eastern shore past gorgeous creeks and beaches. Our guide will instruct you in various canoeing techniques.

DAY 3

CANOE - After a big breakfast and coffee tea, or hot chocolate on the beach, you paddle back down the other side of the lake enjoying the quiet beauty of nature. You get to the vehicle and go to a local Bed and Breakfast for the night and breakfast.

DAY 4

HIKE - We pick you up at the B&B and drive to the trailhead. From here the trail takes us through mature forests into the alpine meadows. Our chalet for the night is in the high mountains. The chalet is very comfortable with all necessities supplied so the packs are very light.

DAY 5

HIKE - Venturing into the surrounding alpine areas around the chalet, today you will walk through some of the finest alpine flower meadows in the world. Your destination is top of Ptarmigan or Battle Mountain for incredible views of the surrounding area, and into the northern portion of Wells Gray. This area is pristine wilderness with fantastic views of the Cariboos, Monashees, and Rocky Mountains. The elusive Woodland Caribou is found in this area along with the Grizzly Bear.

DAY 6

HIKE - From the Chalet, you hike through the western finger of Fight meadow following Battle Creek. This is a trip back into the lush forest of the valley. During this hike, you pass through four different vegetative zones as you descend and it makes for a fascinating hike. Keep an eye out for signs of wildlife. The hike takes us back to the guest ranch.