Canoeing

Paddling Paradise!

Wells Gray Country is simply one of the best places in the world for canoe-touring. Murtle Lake is the largest un-motorized, paddle only lake in North America and has many beautiful sandy beaches. In fact, several of the main lakes are ringed with small shoreline campsites with picnic tables, bear-proof food safes and outhouses: most have sandy beaches, and offer good family swimming. There are also many smaller lakes scattered through the area, most of which offer great fishing. The North Thompson River offers a good river route as well.

Clearwater Lake

The put-in to Clearwater Lake is at the northern limit of the Clearwater Valley Road, some 68km from town: rentals are available at the Clearwater Lake campground. The lake stretches 28km into the heart of the Park, flanked by the imposing mountains of Zodiak, Azure and Goat Peak, towering high above its eastern shore. The Clearwater River flows into the northern end of the lake, bringing with it glacial water from the mountains, by way of Hobson and Azure Lakes. The river is fast-flowing, so a 500m portage links Azure Lake to Clearwater Lake. The flow varies somewhat, so do check in with the Info Centre to provide you with up to date conditions.

Azure Lake

The beautiful deep blue-green ribbon of Azure Lake runs almost directly eastward from the connecting river, and stretches some 24km into the mountains. Slightly smaller than Clearwater Lake, it has a wilder feeling, aided by the steep slopes of Huntley, Batoche and Buchanan Peaks, and those of Zodiak Ridge to the south. There are four shoreline sites for camping, with sandy beaches and safe swimming.

Hobson Lake

Those seeking a truly wild experience might aim to explore Hobson Lake. This is another long ribbon-lake stretching northward from a point about 13km beyond Clearwater Lake’s northern limit. The trail between the two is officially closed, as there is currently no bridge over Lickskillet Creek, so there’s lots of undergrowth and blowdown along the way. Those who manage it (and have arranged things with the canoe-rental company) will have the reward of paddling this remote area, past high glaciated peaks to the northern shores, where the Clearwater River has formed a delta. Note that there are very few places in which it’s easy to camp, until the water-level drops enough to broaden the beaches: this usually happens sometime in August. This is a remote, wild lake, with no easy escape route in an emergency: you should be well-prepared and experienced if you intend to attempt this trip.

Murtle Lake

Perhaps the area’s greatest draw for paddlers is the broad expanse of Murtle Lake. This is the largest non-motorized, paddle only lake in North America! To get here, drive about 100km north from Clearwater along the Yellowhead Highway to Blue River, then follow the signs onto a gravel road which leads nearly 30km to the west. This is generally passable by most vehicles, but rough in parts, and may be difficult after storms. The car-park is some 2.5km from the put-in: the portage is along a good trail, but a cart is really useful (rentals are available in Blue River).
canoeing wells gray

Murtle’s northern arm is steeper and wilder, the west shallower and sandier: most areas offer great fishing for rainbow trout. The campsites are idyllic, but quite small, so in the peak season of July and August be prepared to tour a few before finding space, particularly if you’re with a group of any size. Bear in mind also that the wind gets up quickly here, and conditions change rapidly from flat-calm to something more like Hawaiian surf, so it’s a good plan to stay close to the shore

Coldscaur and the Nehalliston Lakes

To the west of the Clearwater Valley, up on the Nehalliston Plateau, there is a patchwork of smaller lakes to be found throughout the area covered by the Tree Farm License. The easiest way to get in here starts with Camp 2 Road, which leaves the Old North Thompson Highway just west of the town bridge over the Clearwater River.

Popular waters for paddling and fishing start with Star Lake and Coldscaur Lake, and continue far into the remote country, served by logging-roads and forest trails. Many have small campsites, formerly operated by the BC Ministry of Forests, but now looked-after by the 'Challengers', a disabled people's program.

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Local guides and outfitters:

For further information email info@wellsgray.ca