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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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Porteau Cove Paddle
During our recent camping trip at Porteau Cove Provincial Park, I got up bright and early at 5am and treated myself to an incredible view. I launched at 5:30am and paddled north towards the best views I’ve seen in a while. The water was very calm but not glassy, as there’s a slight northerly wind…
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Indian Arm Paddle to Thwaytes Landing Regional Park
Thwaytes Landing is a water-access-only, 130-acre property midway up Indian Arm, directly across from the famous Buntzen Powerhouses. The Land Conservancy (TLC), who purchased and transferred the property to GVRD to turn it into a regional park, has a fantastic write-up on its history and features. In summary, the lot was named after Captain Tom…
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Paddle in Smuggler Cove, Sunshine Coast
After a previous hike to Smuggler Cove, the idea of paddling here stuck. The cove looked so serene and quiet, and the surrounding areas looked like a fantastic rocky maze to explore. When the chance arrived, I jumped on it and put together a float plan. I would get up bright and early, and do…
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Stearman to Dundarave Paddle – a humbling experience
Quick Facts Parking and Launching: Stearman Beach Launching type: pebbly beach Difficulty – weather dependent, very difficult on windy days Boat traffic – no boats close to shore View – fancy houses on the shoreline, nice views across Burrard Inlet towards Vancouver, Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, and Point Atkinson Lighthouse Facilities – no washrooms…
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Locarno to Stanley Park Paddle
This isn’t really a new paddle, since I’ve done the whole route in sections before. What made it blog-worthy is the length (nearly 17km), which is a new record for an impromptu day paddle for me. These days, I’m on daycare pickup and drop off duties, so my time window for a paddle is restricted…
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Dundarave Paddle
Difficulty – choppy waters even with low wind conditions Boat traffic – no boats near the coast View – nice views of suburban coast line, Lions Gate Bridge, and Lighthouse Park Facilities – public washrooms available Launch – Beach launch Overall score – 7/10 The southern coast of West Vancouver from Ambleside Park to Lighthouse…
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Locarno Beach to Wreck Beach Paddle
Quick Facts This is a great paddling route that takes you from the hubbub of Spanish Banks with views of downtown Vancouver to the surprisingly remote cliffs of Pacific Spirit Park and Wreck Beach with Vancouver Island and Bowen Island in view. It is quite exposed. Early morning starts are generally met with calmer conditions.…
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Paddling Victoria Harbour and the Gorge Waterway
Quick Facts Parking and Launching: Banfield Park Dock Launching type: dock Difficulty – very busy working harbour Boat traffic – heavy in the inner harbour View – great forest-lined rocky shores north of Selkirk Trestle, industrial activities in the upper harbour, and glances at the Parliament Building in the inner harbour Facilities: no toilets near…
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Paddle Camping in Sechelt Inlet
Since our successful, even transformative paddle camping trip to Indian Arm, Johnny and I have been eager to go again. We narrowed our destinations down to two options: Pitt Lake and Sechelt Inlet. After doing ample research on both, and watching the forecasts for weather and air quality like hawks, we finally settled on Sechelt…