Alex and I did a 3 day, 60 km kayak trip, around Pitt Lake under sunny skies. We started from Grant Narrows and up the eastside on Wednesday June 16. Here is a map and distance chart. Total paddle time was about 12.5 hours. About 4 to 5 kms per hour.
We left Wednesday from Grant Narrows at 10:30 am and had a two hour paddle up to Raven Creek on the eastside of the lake for lunch.
After lunch we had another 1.5 hours up to North Osprey Creek and made camp. Total distance was approx 17km. At this camp there are 4 camp spots and a nice sandy beach. Concrete outhouse to use and clean stream water by the camp.
Ron, almighty warrior at North Osprey Creek
On Thursday, June 17 we had a total of 5.15 hours of paddling and 26km to cover. We went from Osprey up the eastside to the end of the lake and back down the westside and over to Osprey again. Sunny skies and warm. A one foot chop to start, then mirror water after.
we headed out at 9:45 am for the end of the lake and back. Occasional seals and unreal scenery all the way. We headed for Vickers Creek for lunch. This was about 1hr 50 minute trip.
lunch at Vickers Creek. Only one good spot to camp if you stayed here.
From here we headed up the eastside to the
JS Jones Timber camp at the end of the lake. About a 45 min trip.
They were doing helicopter logging while we were there. Had a chance to talk to the resort owner who owns the lodge about a further 7 km up the dirt road.
Nice cabins along the way. The cabins only go up to Debeck on the westside. After we left the logging camp we headed down the westside to Debeck Creek. Only one little spot for a tent by the creek. Took about 1Hr 20 min to get here.
Ater here we headed for down the westside and cut back over to North Osprey. We were hot and cooled off in the lake when we got back. The temperature must have been well over 30C most of the time today.
Here are a few shots from the camp.
On Friday, June 18th we broke camp and left at 9:15 am to cross back over to the westside and head back. This day was a total time of 3HR and 50 min paddling and a total of 18km distance.
Our first stop was Defrauder Creek which took about one hour to get there. Again some choppy water crossing but mirror water after. At Defrauder there is a beautiful waterfall and about three spots to pitch a tent. Nice sandy beach to take in the view. Here are a few shots of the area.
After Defrauder, we headed for Dark Creek to have lunch. This trip was 50 minutes.
After here we passed an old steam donkey and took in the Indian paintings along the rock faces. A must see to understand the history of this area.
Along the westside the colors and shots of Golden Ears were unreal
From Dark Creek back to Grant Narrows was about 1.5 hours. The weather was changing with the clouds moving in
Arriving at Grant Narrows by 3:00 pm, the weather was changing even more and the wind was picking up
When I got home, that was when all hell broke loose with the storm in Maple Ridge. My deck umbrella flew over my house and landed about 3 feet from me and my kayak. Trees snapped and the power went out. Welcome home as they say. My son was water skiing on the lake and said most of the storm missed them. This trip is well worth doing again and I would recommend a 3 or 4 day window of good weather to do it. If rough weather hits, some spots are impossible to pull into as the cliffs are on both sides. The lake is up to 3.5 kms wide and the waves can be just like being in the ocean. In all, great company and a picture perfect trip for weather.
Here are a few shots I forgot to add from our camp at North Osprey
shots of Little Goose Island and Goose Island
Three day kayak trip around Pitt Lake
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