|  |     Where will you be coming from? Do you want to *really* rough it, or
    just be moderately rough? You might consider places like Harrison Lake,
    the Bowron chain, Tweedsmuir...B.C. is a big place, and you have a
    zillion options.
    
    ...laura
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|  |     Hi Laura,
    
    We are coming from Albany, NY.  Flying into Seattle (I heard it's much
    cheaper this way), and making our way to wherever we decide to go.
    
    We would like to be remote (i.e., see wildlife, but not many people),
    tent camp (roughing it) and do about 7 days of canoeing.  It would be
    nice also to be near some hiking.  
    
    What time of year do you suggest doing this - the dry, non-buggy
    season?
    
    - Kim
    
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|  |     Not to steer you away (the Bowron Lakes are well known and loved), but
    if you are not fixed on canoeing I would recommend sea kayaking and the
    B.C. coast.  
    
    In general, the most popular provincial parks and Federal Parks are
    quite crowded in the car camping areas during July and August.  
    
    Sea Kayaking allows you to see the coast, and essential mountains
    on the coast as well.  I went on a magnificent group trip to the Queen
    Charlottes last summer that I could go on and on about, but...
    Even less remote places are perfect for water tourism, examples are
    the San Juan/Gulf Islands (between mainland and Vanc Island), Vanc
    Island, Sunshine Coast and Desolation Sound.
    
    If you are into hiking/backpacking, a classic trip is the West Coast Trail,
    along the isolated west coast of Vancouver Island.  Cars and ferries
    get you to the end points, in between it's strictly foot power.  Fast
    hikers can do this in two long days, I think its 80-100 km or so.
    
    
    Bowron lakes are in the central interior, about 6 hour drive from
    Vancouver.  A very nice circular chain of lakes with minimal portages,
    this is a provincial park, and access is controlled at the entrance to
    limit simultaneous trips.  No reservations, I believe, you just wait
    in the park entrance area.
    
    Hope this helps, if you want more info, just ask...
    
    Pieter
    
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|  |     We would be doing this trip in early September (to avoid the crowds and
    bugs), altho not this year.
    
    Since we know nothing about kayaking (or sea kayaking), we will stick
    to canoe trips in the interior.
    
    Are there any river trips?  Class I/II only.
    
    We like the sound of Bowron - how can we get detailed info and maps on
    this area?   How long is it in miles and approx. days?
    
    Many thanks for all your information,
    Kim
    
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|  |     Murtle Lake in Wells Grey Provicial Park is a fantastic spot.  It's a
    beautiful lake with many hiking trails to peaks, other lakes, falls ,
    etc. from it.  It has at least one island camp site and a bunch of 
    other nice sites.  We were there in mid-May, 1986 and we had the entire
    lake to ourselves for 5 days.  (Of course, there was still snow on
    the trails but you have to put up with some discomforts to get away
    from the people!)  I think it may also be possible to portage into 
    a river or lake from Murtle Lake...can't quite remember that part.
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