Canoeing the
Queen Charlotte Islands offers all who paddle the islands many
rewards. It offers an opportunity to enjoy peaceful wilderness
surroundings exploring large secluded, forested lakes. Exploring
miles of wandering rivers, creeks and streams emptying into numerous
large pristine lakes sounds like fun to us.
There are many various launching points for a canoe on the rivers
and on the lakes of the region. Larger rivers like the Tlell
and Sangan Rivers have been known to transport the odd canoe or
two.
Some canoe launching areas are accessed by paved
roads, others by active gravel logging roads. Some of the communities
on the islands also act as a departure point for a canoe
trip. This is convenient especially when in some cases you can
walk from your accommodation to your launch point.
Canoeing in the Charlottes is a great way to
see some of the local wildlife and old growth forests. The lakes
offer a rugged glimpse of virgin forests, rarely touched by human
hands.
The lakes that draw the most attention for a canoe expedition
are Mayer Lake,
Pure Lake
and Yakoun Lake on Graham Island. On Moresby Island, Skidegate
Lake is a canoeist destination. Some lakes are located near
campgrounds.
There are no canoe rentals on the island. But,
there are Haida First Nation canoe tours available which include
an interpretive guide. The canoe used for these tours are cedar
carved Haida canoes. A beautiful work of art.
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