Lakes & Estuaries Kayaking - Campbell River
Kayaking Lakes and Estuaries
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Most if not all the lakes on the north Island remain ice free all year and are conducive to year round paddling. There are so many of them scattered across the immense landscape that naming them would take a great deal of time let alone the challenge of chronicling and offering details, although in general terms many of the lakes conditions change only modestly over the course of the year save for water levels declining in the late summer and early fall and rising in the winter and months of spring.
Don’t Be Fooled
Anyone contemplating taking on a long term or even day trip on our lakes or rivers must be well prepared and well equipped. Good physical condition and proper equipment are essential 
when undertaking any outdoor recreation especially in our wilderness neighbourhood. The weather may change dramatically in a day, and even a pleasant sunny summer day’s paddle can turn into a major calamity if the adventurer is not well prepared. Combine a cold night with just a little rain and you have a deadly recipe.
It is imperative to plan in advance no matter how short the trip is, let someone know where you are going; when you expect to be back and stay with the plan. This is a vast wilderness and it is easier for Search and Rescue to find you if you have not returned on time if you are actually in the area you said you would be in.
All paddlers should be “water wise” and observe proper safety procedures. Never overload or stand up in your boat. Tie gear to the thwarts and gunnels in case of an upset. Stay close to the shoreline and be prepared for sudden squalls or changes in weather. First scout and/or keep an eye out for partially submerged snags and deadheads, and never allow the boat to turn crossways in fast currents. And of course most importantly wear your life jacket at all times; it doesn’t do you any good stowed away in the forward compartment.
Paddling Highways and Byways
For the sake of this publication we have decided to highlight the Sayward Forest Canoe Route, Village Bay Lakes on Quadra Island and the Campbell River Estuary paddle, as excellent examples of some awesome easy freshwater paddling, keeping in mind that a kayak is just as welcome on both these routes as a canoe.
Suggested Equipment
This is only a suggested list. You may want to consult with the local experts to gain an alternate perspective.
A light two person canoe, or kayak, three paddles, about 30 metres of 14-millimetre. nylon 
rope, a life jackets for every person, a warm sleeping bag for each person, a sleeping pad, a waterproof tent with a rain flap, a rain tarp, plus food for more days than you think you will require. Waterproof footwear, plus good all terrain sandals, waterproof outer gear, dry bags for all equipment, a light weight compact portable stove with lots of fuel, a supply of plastic bags in addition to your personal gear.
The Campbell River Estuary Paddle
Suitable for kayaks or canoes, this labyrinth of waterways penetrates the essence of what is most important concerning the temperate rain forests of Vancouver Island. Shallow waterways, swirl lazily past steep embankments densely covered in green, dividing into dozens of fingers each with its individual character, awarding habitat and safe haven to hundreds of species of birds, insects, fish and land mammals.
hile paddling these lazy waterways which constitute the lower reaches of the Campbell River one cannot help but peer deep into the clear water to spot dozens of finger length Chinook fry milling about the weeds and algae, only to look up to eye level to come face to face with a great blue Heron doing the same thing, then overhead is heard the screech of the mightiest of all birds the bald eagle who in turn is patiently awaiting the opportunity for a tasty morsel to complement today’s menu.
Destruction in the name of progress
Many years ago the logging industry utilized the mouth of the Campbell River for processing the enormous timber harvested from the interior forests of Vancouver Island. The estuary channels were crowed with vast booms of logs waiting to be dragged up on the shore to be milled or shipped to foreign parts, a process that destroyed vegetation and created an industrial mud pit. Nothing stood in the way of industrial progress.
Today much of the Estuary Lands of the Campbell River have been reclaimed to their natural state, a combination effort between thousands of concerned citizens who volunteered their time and efforts, the City of Campbell River, The Tula Foundation, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Greenways Land Trust. Extensive surveying and planning contributed to one of the most successful and largest river estuary restoration efforts in North America, The success has created a world renowned example of how swiftly a landscape can be shepherded back to its original health.
A Paddlers Paradise
The greatest significance of the restoration of the estuary is that it has created a paddlers paradise. With the easy access from the Dick Murphy boat ramp at the mouth of the estuary, an evening paddle on a maximum flood tide is accessible, straightforward and most enjoyable. The channel highways and byways are protected from weather, calm water persists and access to any number of miniature islets will grant you the chance of encountering wildlife of 
all sorts from the massive Chinook salmon that have made the Campbell River famous to black bears, dear, seals, beaver, mink, all manner of water fowl and a extensive variety of birds. This is a trip where you must not forget to bring your camera along.
The duration of time it takes for you to paddle the estuary is up to you, the only thing we suggest is to do it on a flood tide, preferably when the surge is slack, then you are not fighting the river current either way, be safe and be careful not to disturb the wildlife.
Unless there is a clear beaching site, or an emergency do not exit your boat as you will find that most of the shoreline is very muddy. Pay attention to where you are; it is easy to feel that you have gotten lost in the labyrinth of waterways. Obey all signage and be prepared as you would with any other paddle adventure. And have fun.
The Sayward Forest Canoe Route
The Sayward Forest Canoe Route encompasses 11 lakes and takes 4 to 6 days to complete, covering a distance of 50 km. Suitable for the whole family, this route has numerous camping spots along the way and most are easily accessible by both water and road.
Access to the circuit can be obtained form Highway 28 (Gold River Highway) via the Camp 5 Road, immediately after Echo Lake or from Highway 19 (Port Hardy Highway) via Menzies Bay logging road, about 5 kilometres north of Campbell River. Please exercise extreme caution when driving on logging roads, keep your headlights on, give the industrial traffic the right of way and drive slowly at all times. These are active logging roads and although most truck drivers are very courteous if you are in an accident you will loose.
The preferred time to do this route is spring or summer, however although conditions in the winter can be cold, if you are prepared this trip can still be excellent, offering winter vistas that are unequalled in any other season.
To begin this route the recommended direction of your voyage is counter-clockwise, beginning at any one of the numerous access points. Road access is good to most lakes within the route which allows the traveller to paddle a partial route or the whole route.
Frequent Forest Service Recreation sites and other suitable but undeveloped areas are located along the route, providing opportunities for overnight camping. Please check the Forest Service regulations regarding camping and always make sure your campfire “when permitted” is thoroughly extinguished before you move on.
Forest Protection and Etiquette
The forest fire hazard on Vancouver Island can be particularly high during periods of long hot and dry weather. As you can imagine with the immense volume of trees and clear cut logging all over the island, when a fire is ignited it is very difficult if not impossible to contain let alone extinguish. At times the forest service will post restrictions on wilderness travel, campfires and other activities in all our forests. In very extreme cases, the wilderness access may be restricted completely.
If you have any questions regarding these restrictions please contact the nearest Forest District office for more information.
If you happen to spot a forest fire please dial 1 – 800 – 663 – 5555 or call 9-11 immediately.
Precautions First
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At all times use your ash tray. When you are not in your car, carry a small tin or container that can be used as an ash try, do not drop your ashes to the ground. Ever.
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Stop for a cigarette break instead of smoking while walking.
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Keep all campfires as small as possible, don’t have a fire at all or make sure that your fire is completely extinguished before you bed down or move on.
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Never leave a campfire unattended.
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Avoid dumping smouldering briquettes from your BBQ. Ensure they are completely extinguished then pack them up with your garbage and carry them out.
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Refrain from damaging vegetation.
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Do not cut live trees for firewood or cut tree boughs for bedding.
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Keep your garbage and litter with you if litter barrels are not provided.
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Leave your campsite in better shape than when you arrived.
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Campfires are only to be started in designated rings.
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Avoid disturbing beaver dams, they help maintain water levels and many animals depend on the ponds they provide.
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Burn all fish cleanings.
The Route - Portage Trails
Indicated by orange markers and portage signs. 
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From Campbell Lake, the initial portage tracks a gravel road to the recreation site on Gosling Lake.
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Gosling Lake can be paddled to the second portage, a quick trail commencing at the most northerly extremity of Gosling Lake, to Higgins Lake.
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One shorter trail at the north end of Higgins Lake connects with Lawier Lake.
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At the northern point of Lawier Lake a gravel road can be tracked which traverses the Menzies Mainline to the Mohun Lake Recreation Site.
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Mohun Lake can then be paddled to a portage trail at its most extreme north end. This portage guides you to a series of ponds and marshes which link up with Twin Lake.
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The west end of Twin Lake leads to a portage trail that connects the paddler’s route to Amor Lake.
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A short simple trail at the south beach of Amor Lake can be taken to Surprise Lake.
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The course between Surprise Lake and Brewster Lake follows both an old road and a trail through the forest. A log jam at the south end of Brewster Lake may hamper additional advancement requiring a portage.
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The south end of Brewster Lake south to Campbell Lake can be paddled providing the water levels in the streams are adequate. Levels can drop dramatically during the dry summer months rendering the creeks too shallow to paddle. If these conditions exist this segment of the route must be portaged or lined.
This next element of the route contains four sets of rapids all paddle-able at normal water levels. Problematic corners and obstacles such as boulders, sweepers and trestle pilings should be assessed prior to making a decision to run the rapids. It is advisable before attempting the rapids to exit your boat and take a little walk to assess the situation.
The first two sets of rapids are situated in the creek just north of Gray Lake.
The third set is between GrayLake and WhymperLake
And the fourth set is located just north of Fry Lake.
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A portage from the south end of Whymper Lake to Fry Lake can be taken to circumvent this fourth set of rapids if needed.
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The route from Fry Lake returning to Gosling Bay on Campbell Lake is simply to follow the shoreline.
Distances in Kilometers
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From Campbell Lake to Gosling Lake a 1.1 kilometre portage.
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Gosling Lake is a 1.8 kilometre paddle.
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Gosling Lake to Higgins Lake Swamp is a 0.2 kilometre portage.
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Higgins Lake & Swamp is a 0.8 kilometre paddle.
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Higgins Lake to Lawier Lake is a 0.3 portage.
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Lawier Lake is a 0.5 kilometre paddle.
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Lawier Lake to Mohun Lake is a 0.3 kilometre portage.
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Mohun Lake is a 9.2 kilometre paddle.
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Mohun Lake to Twin Lake is a 1.6 kilometre portage.
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Twin Lake & Swamp is a 2.0 kilometre paddle.
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Twin Lake to Amor Lake is a 0.8 kilometre portage.
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Amor Lake is a 4.4 kilometre paddle.
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Amor Lake to Surprise Lake is a 0.1 kilometre portage.
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Surprise Lake is a 1.1 kilometre paddle.
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Surprise Lake to Brewster Lake is a 2.2 kilometre portage.
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Brewster Lake is a 5.2 kilometre paddle.
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The Log jam at Brewster Lake is 0.1 kilometre portage.
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The log jam at Gray Lake is a 1.8 kilometre portage.
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Gray Lake is a 2.8 kilometre paddle.
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Gray Lake to Whymper Lake is a 0.3 kilometre portage.
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Whymper Lake is a 0.6 kilometre paddle.
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Whymper Lake to Fry Lake is a 0.2 kilometre portage.
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Fry Lake is a 2 kilometre paddle.
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Fry Lake to Campbell River is a 0.4 kilometre portage.
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Campbell Lake to Gosling Bay is an 8.3 kilometre paddle.
Total Circuit is 47.9 kilometers
Village Bay Lakes Route
The Village Bay Lakes kayak and canoe route on Quadra Island encompasses a chain of 6 freshwater lakes, the largest freshwater waterway in the Discovery Islands. The total distance paddled is 11 kilometres one way and should take 3 days. For map reference see 92K3.
To access the launch site begin at the Quathiaski Cove Ferry; travelling a distance of 
approximately 23 kilometres by road; first, take West Road north to Heriot Bay, head north on first Hyacinths Bay Road, then Village Bay Road. Continue on to where the road turns to gravel until you arrive at Village Bay Lake. Launch at either side of the bridge in Village Bay or continue another 2.5 kilometres north along Surge Narrows Road to Mine Lake, there is a small natural put-in that you come to first, a easier sandy boat launch is another 100 yards further along with ample places to park.
The best time of the year to be paddling the lakes is in the late spring or early summer, due to the higher water levels, however anytime is a good time. In the summer the lakes warm up as the water levels drop, the temperatures can be bathtub warm and the water is crystal clear, excellent for swimming.
Sandy beaches are typical at all 7 of the Provincial campsites; at the sites the amenities include pit toilets and a fire ring at the least. Site sizes range from 2 tents to 8 tents and are provide on a first come first served basis.
Wilderness camping is allowed; but please use discretion and no trace camping techniques.
There is no running water so filter or boil all water to be consumed. Expect plenty of motor boat activities even though there is a 10 hp restriction on motors on all the lakes. The paddling is easy and you can expect to see a wide variety of wildlife including; otters, kingfishers, woodpeckers, ravens, vultures, deer, fishers (weasel relative). You may even get lucky and hear a wolf howling. It is a good idea to keep in mind that there may be the presents of cougars and bears, although they are rare on the island. All the Lakes are known for their excellent trout fishing.
Click on the Picture for a slide show
Village Bay, Mine Lake and Main Lake are connected by navigable water; however keep an eye for low water as extreme low water may present difficulty in navigating.
Village Bay Lake - Lower Village Bay Lake has an island with a cliff jumping site complete with rope. This lake is heavily populated with cabins and has a good deal of small motorboat traffic at the height of the summer.
Mine Lake - One of the first of many campsites, sloping white sandy beach and the only overnight campsite with an official Park toilet.
Main Lake – The largest in the chain and the most prone to windy conditions which can produce a chop of up to ½ metre high, there are a few private islands in Main Lake and seaplanes are fairly common. On the northeast side of Main Lake you’ll find a sandy beach but also a short walking trail, 40 – 65 meters off to the left that follows an old logging road to Yeatman Bay, north of Surge Narrows on Quadra’s eastern coastline.
Little Main Lake – Paddle up Shadow Brook until you come to the spawning gravel beds that are signed Do Not Disturb. Portage from here about 100 meters to bypass the spawning beds, then one pull over or two across stick dams.
Clear Lake - Can be reached in high water but if there is low water Clear Lake is too shallow and muddy.
Stramberg Lake - You can be hike up to a tributary creek of the same name that meets Shadow Brook near the spawning grounds.
Overall an excellent trip for exploring the inland water ways of Quadra Island.
