Turner Lakes
turner lake location.JPG
turner lake location.JPG 2010-07-30
turner lake map.JPG
turner lake map.JPG 2010-07-30
The stone is dry
but not for long. Nimpo Lake next to the planes. 2008-08-23
Nimpo Lake
We catch the plane from Nimpo Lake. It's about a 20min trip to Turner Lake where we will be dropped off. 2008-08-23
Loading up
Ayda is not so sure about this plane idea. She's is fine in the plane. 2008-08-23
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IMG_1773.JPG 2008-08-23
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IMG_1777.JPG 2008-08-23
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IMG_1778.JPG 2008-08-23
Lonesome Lake
The famous swan lake. We are not going there. We head one valley over. 2008-08-23
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IMG_1788.JPG 2008-08-23
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IMG_1791.JPG 2008-08-23
And we are on our own
The plane takes off and suddenly it is very quiet. 2008-08-23
Turner Lake
2008-08-23
South end of Turner Lake
We head up a small stream to the portage. 2008-08-23
Portage from the south end of Turner Lake
2008-08-23
The first portage.
2008-08-23
Cutthroat Lake
We go through a series of small "lakes" towards Junker. Through small, there are a lot of portages which slows things down. Also J still has the "dinosaur" staff from Powell River, and he keeps forgetting is places so we have to go back and retrieve it. 2008-08-23
Camp on Junker Lake
We arrive and set in a beautiful beach camp on Junker Lake right next to the water. We had read that these sites are exposed to wind, but they are so beautiful that we cannot resist. I don't have many pictures between Turner and Junker as the scenary was a bit non-descript. 2008-08-23
The view from camp
This is the view from the camp. See, it is stunning. 2008-08-25
Beach camp on Junker Lake
Beautiful and room for many parties. There are also more sheltered sites in the woods---a wiser choice perhaps. 2008-08-23
Storm arrives
Then a storm arrives and we pay the price for our lovely views. We are pummeled by the wind at this site. 2008-08-24
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IMG_1822.JPG 2008-08-24
Australian dog doesn't like rain
I do not like the rain and cold. She is leashed because there are definitely bears around. We see regular bear sign. 2008-08-24
Dawn after a storm
It rains and blows for a day and a half. The wind kicks up big waves and keeps us in camp. But then finally it dawns decent and while still windy, the waves aren't too bad. 2008-08-25
The storm passes.
We are pinned down for a day in the storm, but then it passes and we make a day trip to Sunshine Lake. This is the far end of Junker at the start of the portage to Widgeon Lake. 2008-08-25
Widgeon Lake camp
This is a beautiful camp. If I'd know how nice this camp was, we would have pushed on and stayed here two days. 2008-08-25
Widgeon Lake
It is a bit choppy as the wind picks up. We head close to shore to the portage to Kidney Lake. 2008-08-25
Widgeon-Kidney portage
2008-08-25
Dock on Kidney Lake
We take a break before paddling over to the trail to Sunshine Lake. 2008-08-25
Kidney Lake
Views are better than this picture indicates. 2008-08-25
Trailhead to Sunshine Lake
From the dock, you have to paddle to get to the trailhead. This trail goes up a lot. We saw much bear sign (scat, scratching) on this trail. We sang many songs on the way up. 2008-08-25
Sunshine Lake
It's more beautiful than my picture suggests. The light was poor for photography. 2008-08-25
The camp on Sunshine Lake
The camp is not heavily used. It would be a nice place to spend an evening (though lugging gear up to the lake would not be so nice). The canoe rental company had canoes stored here. I think that is standard so you might ask if you plan to camp here. 2008-08-25
Widgeon Lake
On the paddle back to camp. 2008-08-25
Junker Lake
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Junker Lake
This is the next beach over from the official camp area. It is nice and secluded. 2008-08-25
Junker Lake
Back in camp after our trip to Sunshine Lake. 2008-08-25
Mushrooms
We got these on our hike to Sunshine Lake. There were many mushrooms in the high country. 2008-08-25
Morning light on Junker Lake
We will head out today. 2008-08-26
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IMG_1876.JPG 2008-08-26
A group of loons comes out to dance
Junker Lake. 2008-08-26
Loon dancing
Notice they all have their heads down. They are doing the dance in synchrony. 2008-08-26
Loon dancing
This is part of the dance. They would all do this together. 2008-08-26
Loon on Cutthroat Lake
Later in the day. 2008-08-26
Cutthroat Lake
Or somewhere near there. We make our way back at a leisurely pace. 2008-08-26
Last portage
back to Turner Lake 2008-08-26
Orange devil
She was nuts on this trip. Barking at shadows. Maybe she could smell the bears. 2008-08-26
Entertainment
2008-08-26
Turner Lake
Now we'll paddle all the way to the north end of the lake to camp. 2008-08-26
Coming back to Turner Lake camp
This solo canoe was quite tippy. 2008-08-26
Camp at the south end of Turner Lake
The camp here is big with spots for many parties. The night is windy and rainy. We set up the tarp to give us a break from the wind. 2008-08-26
Snow overnight
It snowed in the high country...where we are headed today. 2008-08-27
Fog in trees
Dawn. 2008-08-27
Mixed weather
The weather is mercurial, switching from rain to sun. 2008-08-27
Trail to Hunlen Falls overlook
It's a short hike to the overlook. We leave the packs in the bear bins at camp (there are most definitely bears in the area). 2008-08-27
Hunlen Falls
My picture does not do them justice. They are stunning. 2008-08-27
Trail to the high country.
We will camp at Ptarmigan Lake. 12km to go! 2008-08-27
Off to Ptarmigan Lake
This is the only flat part. After that, it's all up. 2008-08-27
Aptly named creek
Halfway up. 2008-08-28
We made it!
From here it is an easy traverse to our camp. One of the kids found this trip to be a bit onerous. The trip is very steep and relentless. 2008-08-27
Hanging in the tent
By the time we reach Ptarmigan Lake, the weather has turned south again. We retreat to the tent. There is no sign of anyone, but the camp is fairly big. 2008-08-27
Blue sky!
The next morning we emerge from the tent. The blue sky is a welcome break after 5 days of rain. 2008-08-28
Dawn
The weather is better but still mixed in the morning. 2008-08-28
Mushrooms
We found lots of boletes up here. We had mushroom soup for two days. 2008-08-28
Ptarmigan Lake
The weather is cold and blowing, with scattered showers. 2008-08-28
Hiking out
We stop at the cairns ahead, drop the packs, and take a side trip to Panorama Ridge. 2008-08-28
Panorama Ridge
Here K is hiking up to the ridge. We started at the bottom of this hill. Our camp was off to the left down in the basin. 2008-08-28
Freedom of the hills
The ambiance up here was wonderful. 2008-08-28
Glacier Lake
The loop trail goes through that basin. I wanted to do it but we hadn't scheduled the extra 2 days necessary. If I did the trip again, I'd schedule 4 days for the hiking so we could hike the loop. It was very beautiful, even in the bad weather. 2008-08-28
Coming down Panaroma Ridge
2008-08-28
Big cairns
It gets foggy up here and big cairns mark the trail. It's raining again. 2008-08-28
Rain the next morning.
We get down and then paddle to midway down Turner Lake to camp. We are scheduled to fly out this morning. It is dumping rain. We set up the tarp and pack up the wet tents. Look at that dog! Is she pitiful or what? 2008-08-29
Doesn't look like good flying weather
It's socked in. We might be here awhile. We head over to the cabins and discover a very nice party there who are doing the trip in style with lots of yummy food. After two weeks of eating instant rice and ramen, our kids put on their most pitiful looks to win some eggs, bacon and hot chocolate. Before they get a chance to beg for lunch though....the plane, the plane! We hear the plane coming. 2008-08-29
Back at Nimpo Lake
We were glad to be back as we didn't think the pilot would be able to get in. 2008-08-29
Drying out
Drying out in the Nomad Motel in Clinton, BC a half day later. 2008-08-29