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Winter Holiday in Powell River

December 4, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Powell River, Multi-Adventure Excursions

Are you looking for a winter holiday destination? What about Powell River, BC. Powell River is about 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of Vancouver on the Sunshine Coast. We go there in all seasons and love it. The winters are mild, but you can easily get to the snow for snowshoeing, cross country skiing or sledding. There are places in town where you can rent equipment if needed. Try Alpha Adventures on Alberni Street and Skeeter Jacks south of town on Highway 101. The employees at both of these shops and the Powell River Info Centre can give you maps and details about places to hike and explores.

Because the coastal areas are usually free of snow, you can hike year round. The  Sunshine Coast Trail has several entry and exit points that make it a good choice for family hiking. On weekends you can take your car or truck on forest and logging roads to see the pristine backcountry with old growth trees and uncrowded parks. There's also the ocean and Powell Lake for exploration.

You can stay in town or at several resorts and B&Bs along the coast. The Lund Hotel at the end (or beginning) of Highway 101 is quaint. It always amazes me how many great restaurants are in town. Some of my favourites are the Shinglemill with dynamite view of Powell Lake, Snickers on Marine Avenue with spectacular ocean and sunset views and the Town Centre Hotel restaurant and TC's pub. If you are north of town, don't miss lunch or dinner at the Laughing Oyster overlooking Okeover Inlet.

To get to Powell River you get the chance to ride a BC Ferry from Horseshoe Bay. You'll travel through some really beautiful inlets on the BC coast along the way. You can bring your car or take the Malaspina Coach Lines bus from several locations in Vancouver. You can also fly to Powell River using Pacific Coastal Airlines from the Vancouver Airport's South Terminal. There are lots of taxi cabs and bus transportation if needed for the traveler without a car.

 

Head to Powell River for a winter vacation you won’t forget.  You may like it so much you’ll want to stay like we did.

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Posted by drmargy, Powell River at 10:42 PM

Lund - A must for the Sunshine Route

August 25, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Powell River, Adventure Tours

On our first visit to the Sunshine Coast we had our explorer's interest rewarded when we ventured north of Powell River.   We found Lund, the small village and harbour where BC's "Sunshine Highway" 101 begins.

The associated picture shows some of the charm of this quaint village.

Though limited for time on this late August visit, we found one more lovely diversion from the route south from Earl's Cove; that was Irivines Landing!

Our advice to Sunshine 101 travellers is to allow as much time as you can for the surprises that will be found on its byways.

 

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Posted by askls, Victoria at 07:57 PM

Savary Island

August 10, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Powell River, View Points

Our summer secret is beautiful Savary Island located north of Powell River, B.C. near Desolation Sound.  It is accessible by boat or by water taxi from Lund (45 minute drive north of Powell River).   You can bring your bicycles on the water taxi and cycle the island for a fabulous day trip.  One can also walk a short distance to discover the south beach.  At low tide, the south side of Savary boasts a spectacular long sandy beach that is the perfect place to dip into the ocean.  When the tide comes in, the ocean creeps over the long hot sand making swimming ideal!  The water is amazingly warm.  The south beach is a quiet paradise and easily accessible by boat.  It is a beautiful place to anchor in the daytime, and be only minutes away from a marina and supplies in Lund.  There are also protected anchorages nearby.  One can also enjoy the jaw dropping panoramic view from the South side of Savary overlooking Powell River, Harwood, Denman and Hornby Islands, and Vancouver Island in the distance.  Overhead, you will hear eagles and ravens and in the distance you will see countless sailboats and yachts cruising north into Desolation Sound.  Savary Island is the perfect destination for those who enjoy strolling long sandy beaches, panoramic views, beachcombing, swimming or simply relaxing.  Savary Island is a boaters paradise and the South beach is truly the best place to dip into the ocean!   

Karen,

Blackcreek, BC

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Posted by chris d, Vancouver at 06:18 PM

Fishing Powell Lake

August 1, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Powell River, Fishing
Find more information about Powell River, Fishing

Living on Powell Lake (literally on) makes fishing a common activity. Each evening during fishing season, you can find us casting off our cabin deck at twilight. This is the time when the fish in Hole in the Wall like to tease us with their leaping antics.

Fishing season on Powell Lake, BC, runs from April 1 to October 31. You will need a freshwater fishing license if you are 16 years of age or older. Annual, one-day, and eight-day licences come in resident and non-resident formats. For BC residents, the annual license for $36 is the best bet, but if you are a visitor, the one day for $20 or the eight-day for $50 might work better. Licenses are easy to obtain at most sporting goods stores or guides. We always get ours at Marine Traders near the Powell River Wharf.

Powell Lake, and nearby Goat Lake, is known for its Cutthroat and Rainbow trout. We have had success both trolling and casting. We like to go to stream inlets (numerous in the late spring and early summer) where trout are more likely to congregate and feed on the churned up nutrients. At these locations, usually the first person to cast will catch the most fish. We use lures with crimped barbs to make our catch and release method easier.

When you arrive, get some fishing advice from local experts, Marine Traders (Jim or George) or PROutdoors (Sam) for all of the local scoop. They can help you find guided trips and fishing hotspots. Also, stop in at the visitor centre to get maps and information about the many streams and lakes that are accessible by car or foot.

There’s still plenty of fishing season left, so head to Powell River and get your line wet. We have a big one waiting for you!

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Posted by drmargy, Powell River at 05:21 PM

Powell Lake Adventure

June 25, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Powell River, Sightseeing Tours

Summer is the time of year to go "up the lake," Powell Lake that is.  The lake is about 51 km long with three major arms radiating from centrally located Goat Island.  It was carved by an ice-age glacier and is up to 1,100 feet deep.  Ancient trapped sea water can even be found at the bottom. 

Whether you have a day or want to spend several days, Powell Lake is a great summer getaway.  The Shinglemill Marina has a public boat launch and swimming beach.  The nearby Shinglemill Pub and Bistro is a great place to have dinner and drinks on the deck to watch all of the boat action, especially on Friday and Sunday evenings when cabin owners launch and recover their boats.  There is another boat lauch and swimming beach at Mowat Bay.  Want to spend the night?  Try a houseboat or even a float cabin.  Contact Lakeside Floating Vacations.  If you've never experienced a float cabin, I highly recommend it.  You will be staying in a part of Coastal BC history.  Powell Lake is one segment of the Powell River Forest Canoe Route and it has several water access campsites.  If you don't have a canoe or kayak of your own, you can rent one from Powell River Sea Kayak or Skeeter Jacks.  Like to hike? The Sunshine Coast Trail also skirts the lake on the southwest side.   Car campers have lots of options.  We like the Willingdon Beach Campsite.  It's within walking distance of town and is right on the water of Malaspina Strait.  For lakeside camping there is Haywire Bay. 

Want to read more about Powell Lake?  Try Up the Lake by Wayne J. Lutz or visit http://powellriverbooks.blogspot.com.

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Posted by drmargy, Powell River at 06:48 PM

Eagle river

June 17, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Powell River, Swimming Pools

This is an area that may soon be logged, we are trying to protect it for the public to enjoy.  We have to protect these areas for the fishing, the serenety, enjoyment and for those who seek peace.

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Posted by seabreeze, Powell river at 10:35 PM

breathtaking

June 17, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Powell River, Horseback Riding

I rode my horse on a logging road up to this bluff from Louis Lake.   The view across the Jervis inlet was awesome.

We really need Canadians to stop and think about what we have and what we can lose if we do not look after it.

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Posted by seabreeze, Powell river at 10:21 PM

Savary Island

April 4, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Powell River, Sailing

A picture tells a thousand words

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Posted by Greger, Nanoose Bay at 06:58 PM

Powell River Forest Canoe Route

February 21, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Powell River, Canoeing
Find more information about Powell River, Canoeing

Paddling enthusiasts familiar with British Columbia have likely heard of the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit, which is phenomenal.  A lesser known “great find” is the Powell River Forest Canoe Route. 

 

Much like Bowron, the Powell River route is a 4-5 day adventure involving paddling through a network of lakes with several portages.  Bowron is definitely the easier and more developed of the two (hence it’s popularity) so if you’re looking for more challenging portages and fewer people, Powell River may be the route for you. 

 

Tip: Make sure you do your homework and plan ahead because you finish in a different place than where you start, so pre-arranged transportation logistics are necessary.  Additionally, you want to be on some lakes early to avoid the afternoon headwinds.

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Posted by Joel, Vancouver at 10:42 AM

Flavours of Savary Island

June 30, 2006 | Tips from Us > Powell River, Sightseeing Tours

A word of advice - while visiting small islands, teeny towns and remote parts of British Columbia, be sure to bring extra food with you, just in case.

Just as an example, my husband and I kayaked to and around Savary Island last weekend, and despite much research and preparation, including talking to locals and checking websites, it was not until we landed on shore that we were informed the one general store was not yet open for the summer season. (Did I mention this was June 25?) Also, one of the two local restaurants did not open on Sundays (which we knew) and the other was closed on Sunday nights beyond 6 pm. This last bit we didn’t know until Sunday night because the waitress told us earlier they would be open as long as people were there, which unfortunately was not true. In fact, earlier in the day she had offered to set aside an order of BBQ ribs for my husband, to ensure they wouldn’t sell out before we arrived for dinner. When we got there at 6:30 the pub was still busy, but they informed us the kitchen had closed at 6:00. Hmmm....

Fortunately for us we were staying at a B&B and the gracious hostess offered us leftovers from her dinner party. Shameless plug here for the Savary Island Lodge – Jean is wonderful and the beachfront view from her home is more than worth the trip.

Despite our minor culinary setback, we loved our trip and I highly recommend Savary to anyone. It is an idyllic island completely surrounded by white-sand beaches, located at the south entrance to Desolation Sound. Overall, a great destination for kayaking and hanging on the beach. Just bring a bit of emergency food to ensure you can leave the island without a bad taste in your mouth.

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Posted by Susan, Vancouver at 12:00 AM