I’m excited to share another guest post, this one by my husband, who had the opportunity again this year to join the local high school’s outdoor education canoe trip to the Sayward Lakes as a chaperone. It’s amazing to have programs like these that support our children’s outdoor pursuits. These trips get progressively more challenging throughout high school and culminate in Grade 12 with the Nitinat West Coast Trail Triangle. The post includes an itinerary, meal plan, gear list and some tips to make your next canoe trip on the Sayward Lakes memorable.

Canoe Trip on the Sayward Lakes, Vancouver Island’s Hidden Gem

Over the last two years, I’ve had the privilege to help chaperone our local school’s outdoor education canoe trip through the Sayward Lakes. Unlike the typical recommendations to go between May and September, this trip always takes place between late October and early November to ensure everyone is adequately prepared for a four-day canoe trip. The benefits of travelling at this time of year include seeing this incredible location with far fewer people, fewer bugs, and often higher water levels, which allows access to moving water sections. The only downside is the unpredictable West Coast weather, which means that you never quite know what you are going to get, and I need to pack and carry a few extra layers of clothes. Last year, we woke up to snow as we were heading off on our early morning start, and it was a beautiful, dry, cold trip. This year was much warmer and wetter, and I was soaked through much of my gear by day two.

The Sayward Forest Canoe Circuit on Vancouver Island offers a blend of tranquil lakes, scenic paddling, and portage trails, making it a memorable multi-day paddling adventure. The route is perfect for paddlers looking to immerse themselves in the serene wilderness of British Columbia. Although the circuit is accessed by forestry roads, it’s very accessible and is used year-round.

Trip Overview

• Start/End Point: Mohun Lake Parking Lot, located about 30 minutes northwest of Campbell River (about 4 hours north of Victoria)
• Total Distance: ~47.4 km (39.3 km paddling, 8.1 km portages), which we did over 4 days and 3 nights
• Difficulty: Intermediate (due to the portages and route length)
• Best Time to Go: May to September (though fall offers fewer bugs, stunning autumn colours, and higher water levels)
• Camping is at forestry backcountry campsites with outhouses. Water must be filtered or boiled at freshwater sources on the lakes. Food must be secured and stored in your bear caches.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Mohun Lake to Twin Lake

• Paddle: ~10 km (Mohun Lake, Goose Lake, Twin Lake)
• Portage: ~1.8 km (Goose Lake to Twin Lake)
• Campsite: Twin Lake Campsite (simple wilderness campsite with flat areas for tents and outhouses)

Begin your journey at Mohun Lake Parking Lot. Paddle north along Mohun Lake, passing small inlets and soaking in the lush, forested landscape. Mohun Lake is one of the larger lakes on the circuit, so plan for a few hours of paddling as you pass into Goose Lake and eventually reach the portage to Twin Lake. This is always a long day with the travel from South Island. We start early in the morning from Victoria, get on the water around noon, and typically arrive at camp by 5 p.m. so need to keep dinner simple and quick.

• Dinner: Dehydrated backpacking meal (e.g., Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai) Dessert: Dark chocolate or hot cocoa

Day 2: Twin Lake to Brewster Lake

• Paddle: ~8 km (Amor Lake, Brewster Lake)
• Portages:
  • 400 m (Twin Lake to Amor Lake)
  • 2.5 km (Amor Lake to Brewster Lake, longest portage)
• Campsite: Brewster Lake Campsite (camp near the south end for better views)

Start with a short portage out of Twin Lake Campground to Amor Lake. Amor Lake is a beautiful stretch of water with fewer campsites, making it quieter and more secluded. (If daylight allows, we sometimes push on the first day to camp at Lak La More Campground.)

The morning paddle through Amor Lake is often stunning, even in the pouring rain. After the long portage from Amor to Brewster, enjoy paddling into Brewster Lake and setting up camp. Explore or settle into one of the forested campsites.

• Breakfast: Scrambled egg wraps with shredded cheese and salsa, coffee or tea
• Lunch: Wraps with cream cheese, avocado, and smoked salmon
• Dinner: Homemade rehydrated chili Dessert: Chocolate with fruit, tea, or hot cocoa

Day 3: Brewster Lake to Gosling Lake

• Paddle: ~12 km (Brewster Lake, Gray Lake, Whymper Lake, Fry Lake, Lower Campbell Lake)
• Portages:
  • 460 m (Brewster to Gray Lake)
  • 540 m (Gray to Whymper Lake)
  • 370 m (Whymper to Fry Lake)
  • 540 m (Fry Lake to Lower Campbell Lake)
  • 1.1 km (Gosling Bay to Gosling Lake)
• Campsite: Gosling Lake Campground (rustic site with wilderness surroundings)

This longer day is a highlight, with moving water sections accessible due to higher water levels in late fall. The day involves several short portages, scenic small lakes, and exciting moving water segments. Always scout ahead to ensure safety.

Begin paddling south along Brewster Lake to reach Gray Lake via a short portage. Gray Lake’s narrow, forest-lined waters are stunning. After another portage and some moving water, paddle through Whymper Lake to Fry Lake and stop for lunch.

After the final push across Fry Lake and Lower Campbell Lake (which can be windy), portage uphill to Gosling Lake Campground for a satisfying end to the day.

• Breakfast: Scrambled egg wraps with salsa and shredded cheese, coffee or tea
• Lunch: Wraps with cream cheese, avocado, and smoked salmon; trail mix
• Dinner: Pasta with freeze-dried tomato sauce and dehydrated veggies Dessert: Chocolate with nuts

Day 4: Gosling Lake to Mohun Lake (Return to Start)

• Paddle: ~12 km (Gosling Lake, Higgins Lake, Lawier Lake, Mohun Lake)
• Portages:
  • 210 m (Gosling Lake to Higgins Lake)
  • 400 m (Higgins Lake to Lawier Lake)
  • 200 m (Lawier Lake to Mohun Lake)

Paddle the final stretch, enjoying the last scenic lakes. Three manageable portages lead back to Mohun Lake, where you’ll paddle along the shoreline to the parking lot, completing your adventure.