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Camping at Silver Lake Provincial Park – Hope BC
A search on Google Maps shows that “Silver Lake” is probably the most over-used names for lakes. Even “Silver Lake Provincial Park” is not unique, as there’s one with the same name in Ontario! We visited the Silver Lake Provincial Park situated just 12km southwest of Hope BC in mid September. The park is quite…
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Paddle Camping at Plumper Cove, Keats Island
From our various trips to the Sunshine Coast, I became aware of the small provincial marine park: Plumper Cove on Keats Island, just across the water from Gibsons Harbour. It features 20 campsites, pit toilets, and a pump for fresh water (but with a long-term boil water advisory) during the summer months. Camping is $16…
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Nanaimo River Estuary Paddle
Nanaimo River Estuary is the largest estuary on Vancouver Island, and it’s important both culturally, economically, and ecologically. Views of the estuary provide a beautiful backdrop for the Living Forest campground. Campsites with a view of the estuary are in high demand and command a higher fee. On the last afternoon of our week-long camping…
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Big Bro’s First Paddle Camping Trip at Widgeon Creek
Preamble When I first introduced the idea of paddle camping to my kids 3 years ago, Big Bro was instantly fascinated and wanted to join me right away. I set out 3 prerequisites before he can join me: After his breakthrough with paddling on his own paddleboard, he successfully passed all three requirements. An impromptu…
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New Paddling Achievement at Buntzen Lake
The Preparation I had enthusiastically bought a kids’ paddleboard 2 years ago (Thurso Surf Prodigy Junior, 7 feet 6), thinking it would be awesome to paddle with the boys. But after a few attempts, Big Bro just couldn’t get the hang of it yet. The board was unceremoniously tucked away in storage most of the…
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Paddle Camping at Glacier Bay on Stave Lake
Returning to Stave Lake Since visiting Stave Lake in 2020 with a SUP group, I haven’t been back. The experience was rather underwhelming: a bumpy, dusty gravel forest service road, loud motor boats and party music, and the dirt bike and ATV crowds at the lower Stave Lake weren’t very conducive for the type of…
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Sumas River Paddle (and an attempt at the Floating Forest)
The fabled ‘Floating Forest’ has been mentioned numerous times in local paddling communities, but it’s never clear to me exactly where it is or how to get there. So when Howard called for a Sumas River Floating Forest paddle, I jumped on the chance. I had a great time paddling with Howard on Harrison River,…
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Paddling around Shady Island near Steveston, Richmond
Quick Facts Shady Island is a long, narrow island at the very end of the mighty Fraser River separating the Fraser South Arm and Steveston Channel. It is formed by sedimentation and it creates a barrier that protects the Steveston Harbour and all its fishing and commercial activities. During one of my previous paddles in…
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Paddling Bedford Channel in Fort Langley
Bedford Channel is a small side channel of the Fraser River, sheltered by McMillan Island. It’s scenic, usually calm, and surrounded by historic Fort Langley and all the intrigue it offers. It’s also home to Fort Langley Canoe Club (FLCC), which operate a few private docks. For non-members, there are three public launch options to…
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Harrison River Paddle
I’ve wanted to paddle on the Harrison River for about a year, ever since I read about the epic salmon run in the fall. The logistics made it a little tricky to plan though: the drive from Vancouver takes about 1hr and 45mins; the one-way downstream paddle necessitates at least two cars for shuttling; and…