Sunshine Coast BC Canada - Visitor Information for Powell River and area

Getting to the Start of the Powell Forest Canoe Route
Content courtesy of Tourism Powell River and Bigpacific.com

RECOMMENDED TRIP TIME: 5 DAYS

SPECIAL CAUTIONS:
Leave yourself ample time to complete the route - don't rush.
Be bear aware throughout the trip.

BEST TIME TO MAKE THE TRIP: April to November

For pictures of the route, please see this great link.

This renowned canoe route is one of Powell River's recreational jewels, encompassing 8 lakes, 48 miles of canoeing and 6.4 miles of portaging. Along the route you will find 20 recreation campsites, well maintained portages and conveniently located canoe rests. For more information and maps, contact the Visitor InfoCentre on Marine Avenue or by calling 1-877-817-8669.

While you can start at either end, the best route is to begin at Lois Lake, thus avoiding the big climb from Powell Lake to Windsor Lake.

THE ROUTE:

Lois Lake
Watch for deadheads and snags, as well as variable winds at the entrance to the bay.
Horseshoe Lake Portage - take some time for the spectacular scenery of old growth forests and the river running beside the portage route. Great freshwater fishing in the Horseshoe River. Estimate 25 minutes to traverse this route. Canoe racks are available at several points.
Horseshoe and Nanton Lakes
These are linked lakes also sporting some underwater debris so exercise caution. Nanton Lake is accessed through the narrows at the western end. At low water canoes may need to be walked through the shallows to reach the start of the next portage.
Nanton Lake to Ireland Lake Portage - revisit BC's coastal logging heritage on this portage as you journey past behemoth stumps and the forgotten hardware of this bygone era. Calculate 40 minutes for this portage. There are two rest areas en route.
Ireland Lake - 1 km
Offering excellent freshwater fishing opportunities.
Ireland Lake to Dodd Lake Portage - 5 minutes
Exercise caution when carrying canoes over 16ft into corners. Avoid the lure of canoeing the connector stream.
Dodd Lake
Beautiful but known for sudden wind squalls, best times for canoeing are morning and early evening.
Dodd to Windsor Lake Portage - .4 mile
Good skid road portage with two canoe racks.
Windsor Lake - the highest lake on the circuit.
Windsor Lake to Goat Lake Portage - 1.4 miles long
Steep! Be prepared for switchbacks, and take advantage of the numerous canoe racks on the route to save your shoulders.
Goat Lake and Goat Island, Powell Lake - 2.7 miles
Campsite available on the southern tip of Goat Island on Powell Lake.
Chippewa Bay, South Powell Lake and alternate route to Inland Lake
If you're having the good fortune to paddle in hot and sunny summer weather, watch for northwesterlies out of Chippewa Bay. To avoid the winds entirely, take the newly opened alternate portage route to Inland Lake. This is the longest stretch of the route, with over 25 km of paddling.

Please see our Recommendations for other helpful tips for travelling the Canoe Route.

Airline Contacts

Pacific Coastal Airlines:
Powell River (604) 483-2107,
Vancouver (604) 273-8666
On-line booking: www.pacific-coastal.com

Suncoast Air:
Powell River (604) 485-2915

BC Ferries Information-All Routes
call no charge 1(888)223-3779
Saltery Bay (604)487-9333
Westview Wharf (604)485-2943

Places to Park

1. Lois Lake Forest Service main campsite.
2. Herondell Bed & Breakfast on Hwy 101.
3. Free parking at Shinglemill marina parking lot.
Taxi ride back to 1 costs approximately $50.
4. Free parking at Wolfson Creek Ventures on Nassichuk Road. Transport & canoe rentals available.

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