Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit '11 {Day 8: Rum Lake to Spectacle Lake}

 {Via Swan Lake, Cariboo Falls, Cariboo River, Babcock Creek, Babcock Lake, and Skoi Lake}

Daybreak on Rum Lake

Shades around the campfire at breakfast... fresh blueberries added to the quite ordinary oatmeal

Zac, AJ, Caleb, Judah, Peter, Canon, Joseph, Isaac & D; a morning dip

Waking up to the sunshine on our private little lake, our crew felt no reason to rush away from Rum Lake.  Joseph ran out of his tent directly to the lake and splashed in for a polar bear dip (well past dawn, but still early!).  Imagine his surprise when he discovered that the campfire was not yet lit.  A little shivering later, the campfire blazed and everyone prepared to take the plunge. 

Cariboo Falls

A wee little paddle from Rum Lake across Swan Lake landed us at the trail head to Cariboo Falls, a beautiful sight at the end of an easy hike.  Hiking is a rarity in Bowron Lake Provincial Park, and after so little real walking this past week, the "hike" was a welcome change of pace.  Unfortunately, the pace of the crew didn't match up very well, and the opportunity for a crew group photo at the falls fell through.  At least none of us fell through!  The falls were thundering tremendously, and graced by rainbows, truly a spectacular viewpoint.

Cariboo Falls

Grazing moose on Babcock Lake

Another spectacular view presented itself along the shores of Babcock Lake; a grazing moose.  We paddled slowly and paused for a lengthy wildlife viewing (& photographing) session.  Probably more of a napping session for a few of the Scouts who didn't need quite so long to take in the sight.

Reflections on Spectacle Lake

Landing at Spectacle Lake; our final campsite

Thanks to careful map reading by AJ & Kimberly, we found our final campsite without too much extra paddling.  The warm sandy beach welcomed us, and our recessed campsite was across a wooden bridge over a marsh.  With amazing weather and plenty of provisions, we didn't feel much like weary travelers on our final night's camp out.  Our work ethic surely lacked, but our relaxation and enjoyment ethics soared!

Dozing in the sand on the Spectacle Lake shore

Want to see more of Day 8?

• Visit the online album @ Picasa Aug 25, 2011

Glimpse of Day 8:

8AM: everyone's awake, excited to see the sunshine

8:40AM: lazy breakfast with fresh blueberries in our ordinary oatmeal

9:52AM: swimming time (with bio wash)

10:40AM: morning snacks distributed; camp sweep & departure for short paddle to hike

11:11AM: arrive at Cariboo Falls trail head

12:37PM: eat lunches in canoes after hike (no crew group shot at the falls this time around)

1:47PM: portage at end of Babcock Creek to Babcock Lake

2PM: Moose viewing on Babcock Lake

2:23PM: launch into Skoi Lake (to escape the mosquitoes); one more portage to go!

2:40PM: end of Skoi Lake; begin FINAL portage!

2:56PM: into Spectacle Lake

4:17PM: find campsite on the sandy shores of Spectacle Lake; site #47; relax on the beach, eat

6PM: still playing on the gorgeous beach; hatching plans for a beach camp out

7:07PM: easy freeze dried dinner served (stew)

8:04PM: still waiting for water for clean-up (ongoing guessing games around the fire, sapping all mental energy in camp!)

8:48PM: darkness falling and still guessing (games)

Day 8 Quote:

"I saw more than the Milky Way; I saw like ten other galaxies no one has ever seen before!"
~ Isaac

Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit '11 {Day 7: Lanezi Lake to Rum Lake via Cariboo River & Sandy Lake}

Paddle along colorful cliffs on Lanezi Lake

A lazy start to a long day's paddle, we took our time getting loaded and paddling on day 7.   Having rained in the night, but dry for our morning routine, we enjoyed a bit of lingering.  Canon sweetly taught Peter how to solve a slow water filter situation, while Judah accidentally knocked my coffee off the bench.  Pulled out the (generic) pop tarts as a welcome change of pace with our usual oatmeal breakfast, and some used the flame on the stove to "toast" the sweet treats.

Joseph and Isaac coasting toward the river, taking it easy after lunch

Fearless explorers, Peter and Canon navigate through the reedy channel entering Rum Lake.

Allowing steering instruction time for new anchors, the start of our paddle gave us plenty of time to grow in patience.  Two new captains attempted to steer their canoes, with varying levels of success.  The rest of the fleet dawdled along, (bored?) some offering helpful suggestions on steering styles, and others just hoping it would end soon so we could get up and go.  The level of fatigue at this late stage of the journey probably contributed to lower levels of success than fresh arms and minds may have provided.  After a time of trial and error, we re-arranged the canoes; switching up the partners a bit to allow for increased productivity with paddling.

Surrounded by delicious wild blueberries, our campsite at Rum Lake also had a variety of fungus.

A jewel of a campsite, #42 on Rum Lake was more than a sight for sore eyes (and arms).  We had the entire lake to ourselves, with mountains of firewood, and natural beauty surpassing beauty; we could have easily spent an entire week right here.  Kingfishers and dragonflies in action, bald eagles above, meadows of ripe blueberries, and no precipation~ this place could honestly be called a dream come true.  The guys jumped in the lake for refreshment and sanitization, with the cozy campfire awaiting to warm them.

Tim takes an afternoon hammock break on Rum Lake.

Kimberly collects blueberries for the crew.

Bridget, Zachary, Peter, Joseph, and Tim on the shores of Rum Lake

Crew Leader Zac; Rum Lake

Dusk falls on Rum Lake

"What do you miss the most?" Q & A around the fire netted some interesting responses:

From a perhaps overstated, "I don't miss my family at all," to a sincere, "I miss my little brother..." to showers, beds, pets, the Internet, books, music, jeans... the list of things missed was as diverse as the group of guys in our crew. 

Want to see more from Day 7?

• Visit the online album @ Picasa Aug 24, 2011

Glimpse of Day 7:

8:45AM: coffee consumption begins (Tim & Bridget); Kimberly up since 7:15, the early riser; wet fleece pants visible on the wet ground next to an open "dry" bag outside a tent (oops)

10:09AM: breakfast over; water filtration continues; whistling, singing, cheerful camp

10:39AM: last kybo stops; canoes loaded & floating

Noon-ish: return "found" item from site #29 (part of an extra cook stove) to our bachelor friends~spotted packing up at their campsite as we paddle along Lanezi Lake; also visit their site's pit toilet while we're stopped

1:45PM: back on the water after lunch on a sandbar

3PM: drifting down the Cariboo River; beautiful, still, serene...

5PM: campfire discussions at site #42 on Rum Lake

6:40PM: Peter and Caleb prepare chicken curry & couscous; Tim in hammock

8:45PM: Tim, Bridget & Kimberly trek through the woods (one of the only 'hiking' trails on this circuit) to view the Cariboo River at sunset; final camp clean-up underway

9:30PM: light's out (for me); campfire still the center attraction

Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit '07 {Day 8: Unna Lake, Lanezi Lake, Sandy Lake, Rum Lake}

Joseph on still water

Group campsite on Rum Lake

Puddle play, Joseph's way

Couscous supper with vegetables

Eric demonstrates how leeches attach to human skin.

Peter and the frog