We know it's not a hike, but thought we'd post here as we thought others might be interested in this adventure. We arrived at Grant Narrows boat launch at 10am Saturday morning just as a torrential downpour hit. Waited it out for 45 minutes until it turned to drizzle, decided to go for it, loaded up canoe and headed out for out 4 1/2 hour - 28 km paddle up to the end of Pitt Lake. We thought it would take us 6-8 hours (as posted elsewhere), but we had an amazing tail wind for a lot of the way. Unfortunately the wind also brought on 14-18 inch swells and whitecaps after Goose Island...we made it through all right, but got a little dicey with our tiny 13'6" canoe loaded to the hilt, literally, with bikes as hood ornaments. Pulled into the logging yard, put the bikes together and headed out for the 22 km muddy forest service road ride to the hot springs. Ride was uneventful but tiring as we were loaded up and it's a slight incline most of the way. Ride took about 1 hour 45 mins. Important to know that turn off to the springs is at a forest Road junction between 20 and 21 km mark. At this point, take the left fork for about 1 km until you cross the bridge over Pitt River. You enter the trail to the springs right after the bridge. Its a 5 minute walk along a pretty trail to the springs.There are ropes in place to repel/climb along the trail, the final 2 take you right down to the springs....which are..stunning! What an incredible reward for the gruelling long trip. The water is incredibly clean, hot and there's no sulphur smell. These are known as the most beautiful in BC. Return journey was slightly easier bike ride (1hour, 10 mins), paddle was also 4 1/2 hours with no wind at all and flat water until Grant Narrows, where wind picked up.

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I gather that you stayed overnight after all that work. Judging by the packs too. How was the camping? Any good sites? Been wanting to do exactly that trip for some time now. Looks like you had the whole area to yourselves as well. Nice.

That's the proper way to do it, none of this motor boat stuff.

Yes, there is one beautiful camp spot right by the springs, unfortunately someone beat us to it! . we found a lovely spot a couple meters in just off the trail, in the trees on a mossy floor over looking the river

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Wow, what a wonderful trip. Great canoe ride capped with the experience at the hot springs.

Really like those pictures too.

K

Your campsite looks snug as a bug! Speaking of bugs. Any problems with bugs? (:

Anyone know offhand how much those tour guides/locals charge to whip you up the lake in a boat?

water taxi is $400 for up to 4 people, return and no bugs at all! :-)

We did this trip by canoe in April, it was a fantastic trip. it took us 4 hrs in the canoe each way also, much less than the 6 or more suggested on other reports.

FYI there are "no camping" signs at the trail head,applying to the area along the trail toward the springs.

There is however a big clearing up past the bridge on top of the hill.

Bump!


Just wondering where one would leave the canoes and paddles at the north end? That logging camp active these days during the week?

we were there last wednesday&Thurday, at the north end dock there is a old shabby house and a very old red canoe. We've been told by the loggers leave our canoe by the red canoe is fine, which proved it's true

Awesome to know. Did you lock it up there and hide the paddles?