Bowron Lakes Canoe Trek: Family Paddling with Kids in Lightweight Style

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.  The reality for a lot of us involves getting out with some kids and a spouse.  I’m amazed that you made a 16′ canoe work with 4 people.  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.  Are there downsides to tripping with one?  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”.  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.  That’s why these are typically not used for whitewater canoeing. I suppose you could mix the paddles up, but it’s not typical.  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!