Introduction
The greatest adventures stick with you, long after the trip itself has ended. A recent Bowron Lakes Canoe Trek in British Columbia was such a trip for me. Sitting in my office answering email, my mind wanders and I’m back on Isaac Lake, my paddle entering and exiting the water, in perfect time with my wife, Amy. The canoe glides almost silently across the glassy water. Five-year-old Lily dangles a plastic My Little Pony over the side of the boat, the toy secured to the canoe with a thin string. Henry, age eight, watches the tiny wave created by his long branch, the wake only interrupted by the strokes of my bent shaft paddle. The children are surrounded by dry bags of various sizes and colors, containing the gear and food needed for our ten-day adventure. On either side, the mountains rise with pine and fir forests below and exposed rocky ridges above. Occasional avalanche chutes can be seen from the water; the twisted and broken trees and still-melting snow piled up at the lake a clear indication of the different world that exists here in the winter when the lakes freeze solid and the snow piles deep.
The Bowron Lakes are a marvel of nature; eight lakes connect with short portages to create a 72-mile parallelogram where a canoeist or kayaker can end a trip exactly where they started. The full circuit typically takes 6-10 days to a maximum trip of 14 days (and the record set at an astonishing 11 hours). The Bowron Lakes are close to Wells, BC, about a 10-hour drive from Seattle, WA. Quesnel is the nearest major town (2 hours), but the cute Wells and historic Barkerville are about 45 minutes away. We brought our canoe and gear, but local rentals are available as well.
Photo Essay
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Companion forum thread to: Bowron Lakes Canoe Trek: Family Paddling with Kids in Lightweight Style
A Bowron Lakes Canoe trek with my wife and kids – family wilderness paddling, lightweight style. Our trip report, gear notes, and more.
Cool trip report. Backpacking is great fun but canoes do have their advantages when kids are along.
Excellent report – enjoyed it immensely!
Nice read… I enjoyed the family content. Â The reality for a lot of us involves getting out with some kids and a spouse. Â I’m amazed that you made a 16′ canoe work with 4 people. Â Growing up my family had a 17.5″ Clipper Tripper with 4 kids and two adults though.
A good next size up Canoe recommendation is the Souris River Quetico 18.5″.  I found a good used (ex rental) one last year for family trips with my wife and girls (2/4/6 yr/old), and it’s been perfect.  It has an optional third seat that wide enough for two kids, very stable(great for kids who want to “paddle”, or dip their hands and feet in the water constantly, it rides the heavy chop really well, and still comes in under 50lbs in Kevlar.
Thanks, Josh, and thanks for the recommendation. That does look like a good next choice for us, or a choice for other families. Best, Doug
I’ve been on the Bowron Lakes chain a couple of times but it was decades ago. You are absolutely correct about it leaving a lasting impression, after all these years I still want to go back (but I want to do it in a kayak).
When I did it, the canoe carts weren’t around, so we had to carry our canoes. That meant that we hiked each portage trail 3 times… we carried the canoe and then went back and got our packs. Thanks for stirring up some great memories!
Awesome trip, awesome write up Doug. Can’t believe Henry is 8!
Doug, how do you like the bent shaft paddles. Â Are there downsides to tripping with one? Â Do both paddlers have to use them?
Hi Josh,
They are more efficient but also require a different style where you switch sides- this is called “marathon style”. Â In this style you switch sides periodically- this keeps the boat moving straight with greater efficiency and speed. You can still do j strokes, braces, etc., but the bent shaft makes this harder. Â That’s why these are typically not used for whitewater canoeing. I suppose you could mix the paddles up, but it’s not typical. Â Hope that helps!
Doug
Nice story, Doug! About 30 years ago (a little more actually) we used to do a lot of canoeing around the ADK’s. We had an old Cedar Strip boat we used for all sorts of trips. Then we got the 18.5′ Winona at 40lbs (Kevlar.) I have since made many solo cedar strip boats used for paddling and hiking into the ADK’s. My last one was 13’8″ and 17pounds. including spray decks, life jacket and paddle. More of a sit-in-the-bottom canoe-yak.
Anyway, getting the kids out while they are young will pay off in immense benefits to them and you guys later on. My kids still head out hiking with us, go with others, etc. We really enjoy our times out and plan on it every year, even with the grandchildren. Again, nice job on the article.
Thanks James!
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