Local Trips

paddling trips

This little known paddling trip through the gentle terrain of the east slope of the Coast Range can give you escape, relaxation and a lifetime of memories. .

DIFFICUTLY: easy/moderate (great family trip)

That’s some awfully big country out there. Filled with mountains, lakes and wild weather this wilderness quickly displaces all the woes of everyday life. It wakes up your senses by day and rocks you to sleep at night. It’s the perfect summer escape.

The trip begins by placing yourself in the little town of Houston, British Columbia, about 290 kms (3 hours) west of Prince George. Houston is the gateway to the east slope of the Coast Range in Central B.C. Fuel up here, check your supplies and start your adventure.

Heading west out of Houston take the left turn onto the Morice Lake Forest Service road. The road parallels the beautiful Morice River, famous for Salmon and Steelhead. At km 27 take a right turn onto the Morice Lake road and once again you will follow along the Morice River until the road bends around to the south (left turn at approximately km 44) leaving the river and heading up into the lakes country. You will pass by Collins Lake and at Km 65 you will see a Nanika – Kidprice sign. A left turn onto a smaller bush road (passable in two wheel drive vehicles) and follow the most used, obvious road. In 6 kms you will arrive at Lamprey Lake, the start of your paddling adventure. If you arrive late in the day there is room to throw up a camp in a clear area overlooking the lake but it is well worth it to push on to Anzak Lake and camp on the island or at the established campsite.

As you travel west on this system of lakes you are slowly working your way into the Coast Range and the surrounding mountains rise up and cast their reflections onto the water. Keep your eyes open for moose, loons, geese, otter, and rarely, if you are a small group traveling quietly, you may spot a black bear.

The dog’s leg shape of Lamprey Lake is an easy 25-minute paddle, amongst the jumping fish, to a take-out at the start of the first portage. The first portage, 1500 m’s long, begins as a gradual uphill climb, rolls along the undulating ridge top then drops steeply down to the beautiful Anzak Lake. The rock outcrop to the left of the Anzak put-in is a great place to have lunch and jump in for a swim. Anzak is a gorgeous paddle. You can cruise through the shoreline lily pads and watch the trout scooting away. At mid point you squeeze through a narrow channel as you glide past the island campsite. On the far right shore there is an unofficial campsite with a shallow sandy area for kids to play in. Continue down the lake and as you approach the far end you will see a steep trail leading up into the forest on the right (north) shore. This is the official campsite. The portage trail begins at the very end of the lake. This second portage is only 500m’s long and is relatively flat. Emerging from the forest onto Steppe Lake will take your breath away. The long, long narrow lake seems to disappear into the mountains. If the wind is blowing here don’t worry. By hugging the right-hand shore you can dip in and out of small bays and avoid much of the wind. With prevailing winds generally out of the west the return run back down Steppe Lake is usually effortless and quick. Simply raft up, shake out the tent fly or a tarp and sail the length of this lake. Going in, the north (right) shore is the nicest route to follow. There are a number of small, comfortable campsites along this shore and you can pull out for a lunch break pretty much anywhere along the length of the lake. As you approach the southwest end, the lake narrows to a long winding channel then drops down a short riffle of slow moving water into a calm pool. A few more strokes around a little island and you reach the take out. The little island is usually home to a pair of geese that seem undisturbed by the few paddlers that pass by each year. There is a well-established, official campsite here with fire pits and an outhouse and while it is a nice location it is very protected so you may compete for space with the bugs on a warm summer evening. Pushing on, over the final 2600 m portage brings you to Kidprice Lake. Setting up camp at Kidprice Lake means the portages are all behind you and you can do all of your exploring of this area without carrying boats or moving camp. The campsite here is excellent, providing a fire circle, outhouse, 5 or 6 tent sites, and a bear pole for food storage. There is usually a breeze off the lake so even early June, bug season is very tolerable. It would be unusual to see any other party on this trail but if you do end up at a full campsite simply spread out down the beach. Years ago this whole area was slated for flooding but public pressure has stopped this proposal and the whole chain of lakes and the viewscape remains natural and undisturbed. From the Kidprice campsite you can fish, swim, play on the beach or paddle across to the outflow and hike the short trail down to the spectacular Nanika Falls. Use caution as the trail above Nanika Falls can be wet and slippery.
CAUTION: DO NOT PADDLE DOWN THE OUTFLOW. YOU COULD BE SWEPT OVER NANIKA FALLS. AT THE OUTFLOW STAY IN THE LAKE WATER AND CROSS OVER TO THE OLD ABANDONED ALCAN CABIN.

This is a very kid friendly trip so if you don’t have your own children you may want to borrow some. It’s great to see the world through the eyes of a child and the photos and memories will last forever. All of the portage trails are well defined and easy to follow. Spend a few days exploring and playing. The scenery is spectacular and you will be overwhelmed by the scent of the sun warmed pine forest as you meander down the portage trails. The haunting call of the loons and the undisturbed mountain vistas accompany your easy paddle along the shoreline of these four lakes. As the sun sets you can watch the stars slowly fill up the night sky; so close you can almost reach them. PURE MAGIC. You drift off to sleep listening as the gentle breeze caressess the treetops and the waves lap softly at the shore. In the morning, grab your coffee, prop yourself against a beach-driftwood log and contemplate the mountains and snowfields that dominate the viewscape. Life is great.
Hopefully your trip back out will give you nice westerly winds and you can sail down Steppe Lake and Anzac Lake.

KEEPING IT NICE/STAYING SAFE
1/At put-ins and take-outs keep your gear to the side so anyone coming or going can access the launch sites (it is unlikely you will meet anyone but it is nice to be considerate).
2/ Keep your fires in the existing fire pits and have small fires.
3/ If you have a beach fire, clean up your fire site and remove all evidence of the fire
4/ Do not clean fish or leave food smells around the campsites.
5/ Take home everything you brought in. No one wants your old tarp, ground sheet or broken rope.
6/ On large lakes always paddle within 5 m’s of the shore. It is far safer and much more interesting. Mountain weather and winds change quickly.
7/ Keep children within your site at all times. This is a wilderness area and unlike cities and National Parks there are no safety fences and barricades around the natural landscape.
8/ Help preserve this beautiful area. Leave nothing but footprints.

DETAILS/DETAILS

Vancouver to Houston B.C.. Approximately 11 hrs driving time
Calgary Alberta to Houston B.C.. Approximately 12 hrs. driving time
Edmonton Alberta to Houston B.C.. Approximately 12 hrs. driving time

Houston To Lamprey Lake is approximately 1 hour driving time
Paddle across Lamprey Lake is approximately 25 minutes
Portage from Lamprey Lake to Anzac Lake is approximately 50 minutes
Paddle down Anzac Lake is approximately 1 hour
Portage from Anzac Lake to Steppe Lake is approximately 20 minutes
Paddle down Steppe Lake is approximately 3 hours and 45minutes
Portage from Steppe Lake to Kidprice Lake is approximately 70 minutes

Your closest airport is located 45 minutes north of Houston at Smithers B.C. You can fly into Smithers B.C from Vancouver (approximately 90 minutes flying time). Jazz air (1-888-247-2262) service Smithers daily. Central Mountain Air (250-847-5000) has flights from Abbotsford to Prince George and from Prince George to Smithers.

Gear Needed: Lightweight Canoe (we use an ultralight Clipper Tripper),paddles, life-jackets, tent, stove, fuel,pots and pans, dishes, drybags, warm fleece clothing, rain gear, backpack. Of course you can get all this at Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Smithers.

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