The complete chain consists of 10 lakes, starting at Kibbee Lake and ending at Bowron
Lake (counting Spectacle Lakes and Swan Lake as one), 7 portages, and 3 rivers
(Isaac, Cariboo and Bowron). The total distance traveled is116.4
kms; of this10.8 kms are portages and
14 kms are rivers.
Registration Center to Kibbee Lake
The paddlers first stop is at the Park Registration Center for the mandatory orientation and paperwork. This takes about 20 minutes to
complete, after which the park personnel will weigh the gear that you have
decided to carry in your canoe during the portages. You are only allowed
to carry 28 kgs (60 lbs) of gear in your canoe while portaging, all other gear must be carried on
your backs. The trip starts with the longest portage of 2.4kms (1.5 mi) from the
Registration Center to Kibbee Lake. The trail
follows a gradual uphill climb over a low pass before heading down to Kibbee
Lake.
Kibbee & Indianpoint Lakes
Kibbee
Lake begins with a swampy narrows and soon opens up into a small lake of only 2.4kms
(1.4mi) long. Halfway along the lake on the paddlers left, is the first campsite which also
has a trappers cabin. From there you can climb over an old
beaver dam into an a-joining lake called Thompson Lake. At the far end of
Kibbee you'll find a second campsite and the beginning of the 2km (1.2mi) portage to Indianpoint Lake.
Phillips Photos
The portage to Indianpoint Lake is 2.0 kms (1.2
mi) long and seems to travel uphill much more then down. Indianpoint
is 6.4kms (3.9mi) long with six campsites spread along its shores.
This is usually where paddlers stop for their first night, so these sites can get
quite busy during the peak months. As you reach the east end of Indianpoint Lake, you
will enter a small
marsh. Follow the channel
markers which lead you to Indianpoints' last campsite and the 1.6 km (1 mi) portage
trail to Isaac Lake.
Isaac Lake
Paul Paprskar Photo
2004 
The
longest lake on the circuit, Isaac Lakes' west arm is 6.8kms (4.2mi) long
and the main arm is 31.2kms (19.3mi) long for a total of 38 kms (23.6 miles). Isaac Lake is also the deepest lake on the chain, reaching over
200 meters (650 feet) deep in some spots. On a calm day you may be surprised
at the ability to gaze deep down into the clear green waters. Others may have the
excitement of experiencing one of Isaacs' famous choppy
wind storms. When canoeing Isaac Lake it is best to stay close to shore,
as high winds and rough water can occur without warning. There are many
campsites situated along the shores of Isaac, most of them on the outside
(paddlers left) of the lake chain. Several of these campsites have cabins
and shelters, great for wet paddlers who want to get out of the rain and dry off. Remember
that the cabins and shelters are for everyone and you may have to share them
with other paddlers. While on Isaac Lake, take time to enjoy the many water falls and rivers that flow into
the lake from the surrounding peaks and ridges.
The Chute & Isaac River
Isaac Lake ends with a narrow bend as it feeds into the Isaac River. This
section is called "The Chute". Experienced paddlers can run the
Chute and
the top part of the Isaac River (called the Roller Coaster), cutting off about 1.6 kms (1 mile) of
portaging. It is best to watch someone run the Chute before attempting it, to see where
the currents pull you, and to always run it with an empty canoe... just in case.
For the more cautious paddlers there is a portage that bypasses both the Chute
and the Roller Coaster.
Phillips Photo 1997
Victor Bopp Photo 1970's
Phillips Photo 1982
The lower half of the Isaac River, called the
Cascades, must be portaged by all paddlers. Below the Cascades the portage
trail ends and you must run a small section of the Isaac River to the take
out and portage that goes around the Isaac Falls. The total portages along
the Isaac River are 2.8kms
(1.7mi) of which about 1.6kms (.9mi) can be canoed (Chute and Roller Coaster). Once you arrive at McLeary
Lake follow the hiking trail to the Isaac Falls where the river drops 11 meters (36 feet) over a natural rocky ledge.
Phillips Photo
1997
Victor Bopp
Photo 1970's
Jola Jerecki Photo
1999
McLeary Lake and the Upper Cariboo River
McLeary Lake at 1.2 kms (0.7mi) long, is a small jewel nestled in the peaks of
the Cariboo Mountains. It is also where the Cariboo River flows into the
chain. Be alert at all times while on the Upper Cariboo River, as it’s swift winding
current continually undermines the shores causing sweepers (fallen trees
extending out from the river banks) and dead heads (submerged trees protruding
in the river) and the silt laded glacial waters make it difficult to see what's
under the water. If you are unsure of what is around a bend, it is safest to get
out on the nearest river bank and check it out before moving on. The Upper Cariboo
River winds it's way for 5.2 kms (3.2 miles) before entering into Lanezi
Lake.
Phillips
Photo
1997
Phillips Photo 2001
Victor Bopp Photo 1970's
Lanezi Lake, Sandy Lake & the Lower Cariboo River
The inside perimeter
(paddlers right) of Lanezi Lake [14.8kms (9.1mi) long] is the main route paddled and
presents few places to land along its rocky shore. It's murky green waters
are the result of the glacial silt carried into it by the Cariboo River.
From Lanezi Lake you enter a short 1.2km
(.7mi), wide and easy section of the
Cariboo River which takes you to Sandy Lake. .
Phillips Photos 1997
Sandy Lake, at 4.8km(2.9mi)
long, has beautiful sandy shores to camp on. Sandy Lake narrows into the Lower Cariboo River,
a much milder section of river which bears no resemblance to it's Upper
section. You travel along the river, a distance of 3.6km (2.2mi) to the Babcock
Creek take out.
If
you are visiting Unna Lake, you must travel a bit beyond the Babcock Creek take
out, to the narrow entrance of Unna Lake on the paddlers left. Do not
proceed down river past the entrance to Unna Lake, as the Cariboo Falls just
around the bend!
1996
Unna Lake, Babcock Creek & Lake and Skoi Lake
Unna Lake, with its' crystal clear water,
sandy shores and gorgeous mountain views, is a beautiful place to stop and relax. It
is also a very busy little lake, as it attracts both circuit and west side
paddlers, so plan to arrive early in the day. From here you can walk along the 1.5 km (1 mi) trail to
visit the 24 meter (78.7ft) Cariboo Falls, or you can follow a short trail to
tiny Rum Lake.
Paddling back up the Cariboo River to Babcock Creek can be
moderate to hard work depending on the water levels. The 1.2 kms (.75 mi) long Babcock
Creek portage follows above the tiny creek and brings you to Babcock Lake. Babcock Lake is only 2.8km (1.7mi)
across but usually presents an abundance of wildlife along it's marshy
shores.
Victor Bopp Photo 1970's
The portages between Babcock and Skoi Lake, and
Skoi and Spectacle Lakes are
short and easy at only 0.4 km (.25 mi) each. Skoi Lake is the chains' smallest Lake at
0.4 km (.25 mi) and is paddled in no time.
Phillips Photo 1978
Spectacle Lakes & Swan Lake
Spectacle Lakes
(which includes Swan Lake) travels
for 12.8 kms (7.8 mi). This is technically only one lake, but the
narrows at Pat's Point has been deemed the dividing line and historical use of
the lakes has resulted in the two names.
Phillips Photos 2001
Spectacle Lakes is graced with
beautiful sandy shores and surrounded by the low rolling hills of the Quesnel
Highlands. During hot sunny summers when the water gets warm, it is a wonderful place to
swim and play on the beaches.
The Bowron Slough (River) & Bowron Lake
Phillips
Photos 2001
The Bowron slough, from the Swan Lake outlet to
Bowron Lake is only 4kms (2.2mi), but the distance paddled is much longer
because of the windy Bowron River which continually circles back on itself. Paddle quietly and you increase your
chances of spotting moose, beaver, otter and a wide variety of bird life.
Bowron Lake
at 7.2kms (4.4mi) long, is a moody lake and afternoon squalls
are quite common so it is a good idea to enter this lake fairly early in
the day. There are no camp sites along the shores of Bowron Lake, but
there are a few places on the paddlers right, where you can get off to wait out
rain storms and high waves if needed.
If
you are heading for the Registration Center; look for the marked canoe
dock, on the paddlers right, in a bay at the north end of Bowron Lake. If
you are heading for Bear River Mercantile - paddle past the marked canoe dock and
continue on to where the lake empties into the Bowron
River. Enter the river and you will find the Bear River Mercantile pull out
on the right, about 200 yards downstream.
Bear River Mercantile Your
Bowron Lake Adventure Specialists 
