SOUTHWESTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 304

Mitchell Canoe & Kayak (Myrtle Point Rd., 604/487-1609, www.canoeingbc.com )
rents canoes for the Powell Forest Canoe Route. Prices range $50-70 for one day, or
$130-210 for five days. The company also rents all the necessary accessories and fishing
gear, provides free parking, and runs a shuttle service to and from the put-in ($75).
POWELL FOREST CANOE ROUTE
This four- to eight-day backcountry canoe route is a great way to get away from it all,
surrounding yourself with tree-covered lowlands and rugged mountain peaks while
slipping through fjordlike lakes. Take side trips and you can extend the water dis-
tance from 67 kilometers (41.6 miles) to more than 150 kilometers (93 miles), or just
do one or two sections of the trail—all the major lakes can be reached by road.
To reach the put-in at Lois Lake, take Highway 101 east of Powell River 20 kilo-
meters (12.4 miles) to a logging road that branches north off the highway. Follow that
road for one kilometer (0.6 mile), then turn right on the Branch 41 logging road and
follow it seven kilometers (4.3 miles) to a primitive lakeside campground. The route
includes paddling along part of Lois Lake, then the lengths of Horseshoe, Dodd,
Windsor, and Goat Lakes to Powell Lake. Powell Lake Marina is the most popu-
lar pull-out point. In total, the route requires 57 kilometers (35.4 miles) of paddling
and 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of portaging. The longest single paddle is 28.5 kilo-
meters (17.7 miles), and the longest portage is 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles). Carry a
tent, stove, and supplies, and stay at one of the 20 Forest Service recreation sites and
camping areas along the route. Don't forget your fishing rod and tackle: All the lakes
are stocked with cutthroat trout, and some hold rainbow trout and kokanee.
The route's major outfitter is Mitchell Canoe & Kayak (8690 Hwy. 101, Powell
River, 604/414-4607, www.canoeingbc.com ) . Canoe rentals range $50-70 for one
day, $130-210 for five days. The company provides all accessories and free car park-
ing, and shuttles paddlers to and from the route.
For a map and brochure describing the route in detail and to find out present water
levels and campfire regulations, contact the Powell River Visitor Centre (4871
Joyce Ave., 604/485-4701, www.discoverpowellriver.com , 9am-6pm Mon.-Sat. and
9am-5pm Sun. in summer, weekdays only the rest of the year).