KAYAK - HAYWARD LAKE - MISSION - ***WALK RAILWAY TRAIL 12kms

Bev's cell - 778-552-6860

This event will be weather dependent and may be a last minute post or cancelation so keep checking.

You must be water wise, have experience of at least 4-6 outings of a 4-5 hour paddle in all kinds of weather. You need strong muscles and experience in case a strong wind comes up or worse a squall. You need all the necessary equipment such as:

KAYAK-PADDLE & LEASH-LIFE JACKET-WHISTLE-COMPASS-FOOTWEAR-SNACK-LUNCH-WATER-DRY BAG-ROPE THROW-KNIFE-FIRST AID KIT-HAT-SUNGLASSES-SUNSCREEN-GLOVES-DRY CLOTHES-EXTRA SOCKS-SHOES-BILGE PUMP-SPRAY SKIRT-CELL PHONE-BINOCULARS-CAMERA(WATER PROOF)-TOWELS-DUCT TAPE-PAPER TOWEL-TP-LAYERED CLOTHING-SIT UPON OR FOAM SEAT-STEP STOOL-TIE DOWNS-SILVER BLANKET-10 ESSENTIALS SUCH AS BAND AIDS, MATCHES, FLASHLIGHT ETC...CHECK THE COMPUTER FOR A COMPLETE LIST.

Wheels are a real bonus as we don't all have the strength to help carry a kayak to the water's edge.

Keep everything in dry bags!!!!

THE PADDLE:

Meet: Hayward Lake Recreation Park at the launch

Distance: 12kms

Time: Approx 4 hours or longer depending on stops/lunch etc..

Wear: clothing for the type of day and a change in a dry bag & in the car

Season: almost all year

INFO:

Hayward Lake is beautiful and since there are no powerboats (aside from small electric motors) the lake is quiet and generally calm. Hayward Lake makes a nice destination for everyone from the novice paddler to the experienced paddler looking for some peace and quiet.

The lake is very unusual in that it has a hydro electric dam at each end. To the north is the dam that falls from Stave Lake and to the south is the dam that drops to the Stave River. Hayward Lake recreation area is managed by BC Hydro. The lake is approximately 4 km long, a complete circumnavigation of the shoreline is about 10 km. If you travel alongside the shoreline and hit every nook & cranny you can add some extra kms.

Because Hayward Lake was created by flooding a valley, there are many standing tree stumps that poke through the waters surface. These stumps can make for a fun paddle as you make your way through and around them.

There is a nice beach where we have our lunch at the south end.