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Bowron Lakes

Six days of paddling

Story by Jesse Morrow November 14th, 2017

Ben, Jerry, Aaron, and I have gotten in the swing of an annual outdoors trip each fall. Past trips have mostly been hiking around mountains of the Northwest. This year it was decided to break our borders and head up to the BC wilderness for a canoe trip.

I really don't plan anything, I'm more of a "I'll just show up" kind of guy, so I can't take credit for the thoughts that lead us to the Bowron Lakes circuit. The route is through a string of lakes including a few river passages, plenty of portages, and one "rapids" section that had everyone worried it may be the end. For us, it was 6 days of breathtaking views and the realization that moving a canoe through water is quite exhausting.

DAY 1

Eager to launch, quick to find the pain.

Ben gears up the canoe for our first paddle
Always prepared Jerry - that's what we call him.
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Paddling through some marsh area
Swimming at the first campsite
The three (Jerry, Ben, Aaron) enjoying moonrise.
Aaron enjoying the moonrise quite a bit.
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DAY 2

Smooth as glass.

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Nice layer of fog hanging on the hills beginning of day 2.
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Aaron fly fishing - no bites here.
Ben fly fishing
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Perfect reflections and glass like waters for almost the entire day.
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DAY 3

Could this get any better?

Not a bad place to wake up!
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Our campsite. Luckily a lot of these places had little benches.  Jerry is in the back unloading a dry sack.
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DAY 4

"I think I've settled in to the burn."

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Gearing up for a portage.
Dragging the canoe through the woods
Ben and Aaron on the lake at dusk fly fishing - heavy wildfire smoke this day.

DAY 5

We're almost done...and I can't believe it's our last night :(

Solo loon - it was amazing to hear this loon call and the sound echo from bank to bank like I've never heard before.
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DAY 6

"I'm trying to enjoy this, but the wind has really picked up."

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Almost to the end but not 100% where to go
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We found our exit and ended another amazing trip.
Footnote: All images taken on Nikon L35AF - Tri X 400 developed by Indie Film Lab
Bowron Lake, Cariboo C, BC, Canada
LICENSE PHOTOS FROM THIS TRIP