.SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2008
 
 

Summer CANOE ITINERARIES

3 day and 6 day trips

3 DAY TRIP
In the summer, we operate three day canoe trips on the beautiful Clearwater Lake. Clearwater Lake is the heart of the 1.4 million acre Wells Gray as it is the meeting point for all of the water draining out of the mountains of the Park. No canoeing experience is needed as our guides are also instructors and all trip members will have the opportunity to perfect Canadian canoeing techniques.

Day 1: After a 10:00 am pickup at your accommodation, we have a scenic one hour drive to Clearwater Lake and the trips starting point. We start with canoe instruction, and then paddle approximately three hours to a beautiful sandy beach campsite. All campsites have outhouses, tables, firepits, and tent sites.

Day 2: Today there are many options. The guide can set up a canoe obstacle course and we can have races and sharpen our skills. 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. We can 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 and after 30 minutes stop at Helmecken Falls (the third highest in Canada) We then have a look at Dawson falls and continue down to Clearwater.

Equipment List:

  • Sleeping Bag
  • Good quality Rain Coat and Pants (with hat or hood)
  • Running Shoes for camp
  • Shoes for the boat - diving shoes or flip flops
  • Warm wool or fleece coat
  • Sun hat
  • Shirt and pants (both short and long sleeves)
  • Personal Toiletries including sun screen, sun glasses
  • Towel, water bottle, flashlight
  • Any Personal Medications
  • Duffle Bag or Pack which holds all personal equipment
  • Note: We provide two dry bags per person; one large for your camp gear and a small clear one for cameras etc.




6 DAY TRIP
In the summer, we operate six day canoe trips deep into the heart of Wells Gray Park. These trips take the visitor up the Clearwater and Azure Lakes, two of the premier canoeing lakes in British Columbia. Wildlife viewing on both lakes is excellent as wolf, deer, and moose are frequently seen. No canoeing experience is needed as our guides are also instructors and all trip members will have the opportunity to perfect Canadian canoeing techniques.

Day 1: After a 10:00 am pickup, 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 30 minute 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 about one kilometer 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. 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. The canoe trips and summer hiking trips run on alternate weeks, and make an excellent two week trip combination.

Equipment List:

  • Sleeping Bag
  • Good quality Rain Coat and Pants (with hat or hood)
  • Running Shoes for camp
  • Shoes for the boat - diving shoes or flip flops
  • Warm wool or fleece coat
  • Sun hat
  • Shirt and pants (both short and long sleeves)
  • Personal Toiletries including sun screen, sun glasses
  • Towel, water bottle, flashlight
  • Any Personal Medications
  • Duffle Bag or Pack which holds all personal equipment
  • Note: We provide two dry bags per person; one large for your camp gear and a small clear one for cameras etc..

 

 

 

       

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WELLS GRAY CHALETS & WILDERNESS ADVENTURES LTD.
info@skihike.com
Box 188 Clearwater, BC, V0E 1N0
Ph. (250) 587 6444 Fax (250) 587 6446
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