Chuchi Lake – 1½ minute slide show

Chuchi Lake is the second largest lake on the Nation Lakes Canoe Route. There are two extensions of Nation Lakes Provincial Park along its south shore. The north shore, not to be outdone, has three BC Recreation Sites and a number of wilderness sites. Vacationers reach greater numbers here than on the first three lakes of the route. A handful of cottages stand behind the narrows at the east end of the lake.

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From almost anywhere on the south shore, paddlers can see Lhole Tse Mountain. If they camp on the north shore, their eyes can wander over the peaks and valleys of a low ridge complex that runs towards Tchentlo Lake. Finally, from a few places near the east end, they can make out the triangular shape of Mount Milligan far on the eastern horizon.

Click on this link to open a Google map of the area.

Fawn Lilies are Blooming!

Fawn lilies are blooming in the Comox Valley. I photographed this pair at Kitty Coleman Park, on the shores of the Strait of Georgia. They were among hundreds growing at the edge of the forest.

If you want to see the pink variety, your best bet is Puntledge Park in Courtenay.

Follow the links for location:

Kitty Coleman Park.
Puntledge Park.

One minute on the Nation River - Tchentlo Lake to Chuchi Lake

Located on the Nation Lakes Canoe Route, this section of the Nation River meanders for 3.7 kilometres through an alluvial flood plain covered with evergreen trees. When we paddled it, the water level was low. We had to line our canoes down a couple of riffles. Everywhere else, we floated with the current, manoeuvring only at the corners or to get past debris fallen from the banks.

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We stopped on a gravel bar to stretch our legs and do a little bit of fishing. Once we resumed our float down the river, we spotted blankets of wildflowers on the rockslides along the banks.

Click on this link to open a map of the area.

A minute and a half on Tchentlo Lake

I first saw Tchentlo Lake as our canoe emerged from the mouth of the Nation River. Although I knew from the map that it was the largest lake on the Nation Lakes Canoe Route, I was awed by the expanse of blue water stretching in front of me.

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If we followed the north shore, we would have to paddle 35 kilometres to the outlet of the lake. Since we wanted to have a dip at the Tchentlo Lake Hot Springs, we travelled along the south shore, stretching that distance to 40 kilometres.

Over the next few days, we paddled along a wild shoreline interrupted only by magnificent beaches. Depending on our position, we caught sight of Mount Alexander to the southeast, Lhole Tse Mountain to the east, Adade Yus Mountain to the northeast, the Mitchell Range to the west, and Nation Mountain to the north.

Click on this link to open a map of Tchentlo Lake and the surrounding mountains.

Sixty-two seconds on the Nation River – Indata Lake to Tchentlo Lake

The Nation River between Indata Lake and Tchentlo Lake runs freer than the stretch upstream of Indata. Shallow riffles, snags, and strainers might still require paddlers to line their canoes, but not as often as on the first stretch.

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This section of the Nation River is part of the Nation Lakes Canoe Route. Click on this link to see a Google Map of the area.

On our trip, we spent some time on one of the gravel bars. It was a magic place. The shadows beneath the riffles toyed with the rocks on the river bottom, while at the same time, the chirping of the birds in the willows harmonized with the babbling of the water.

Fifty-eight seconds on Indata Lake

Indata is the smallest of four lakes on the Nation Lakes Canoe Route. While the other three follow a west to east direction, Indata parallels the Pinchi fault, a north to south geological feature.

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This short You Tube montage highlights the intimate quality of the lake. Trout often rise to the surface and gorge on hatching aquatic insects just before sunset. A good way to appreciate the warmth of the fading light is to watch how the reds and yellows shimmer on the concentric rings left behind by the fish.

Click on this link to see a Google Map of the lake.

One minute on the Nation River - Tsayta to Indata Lake

The Nation River is part of the Nation Lakes Canoe Route. The section depicted in this short You Tube montage meanders for eight kilometres between Tsayta and Indata lakes.

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Most references rate this stretch of river as a Class 1 (requires very little manoeuvring), but because of the many snags, we treated it as a Class 2 (requires occasional manoeuvring and basic moving water skills).

Essentially, we drifted down the river and manoeuvred in and around some tight spots in the corners.  The water level was very low. We had to line our canoes over many shallow riffles. A couple of logjams drove us to the portage trail, but they were short. Overall, we enjoyed our time on the river, listened to the babbling water, and watched the dragonflies as they hovered over our canoes, seemingly intrigued by the colour of the spray skirts.

Click on this link to open a Google Map showing the location of the River.