Ok! with the summit areas fully explored, it was time to head down. It was 1pm now, and we were looking at a two to three hour journey back to the Bell Lake access point, by our reckoning.
Soon we were back down in the trees, descending the rocky trail. If anything, the forest seemed even more beautiful on the way down, bathed in a gentle afternoon sunlight that really made the fall colors pop. Such a pleasant day today!
It took us a little over 30 minutes to descend the thousand feet (300m) back down to the junction with the La Cloche-Silhouette Trail. We did not make any rookie mistakes and took a sharp right here, heading east back towards the dock at the western end of Bell Lake. The walk was - as on the way in - easy and mostly flat, and we covered ground at a good pace, arriving back at the canoe racks above the dock at about 2:35pm. It was looking like we'd arrive back at the access point and the cars before 4pm.
courtesy JInnes
There was some talk of afternoon winds making the return paddle more challenging, and there was indeed a slight breeze at times. It never really amounted to much, though, and we encountered nothing more than some small rippling of the water surface.
After about an hour of paddling (slightly slower than on our way in) we neared the Killarney Kanoes outfitter dock. The Hatkos went off to land and deflate their packrafts, while we pulled up to the dock and disembarked. The outfitters were ready and waiting for us, immediately taking control of our canoes and rental gear. On the ball, these guys were.
courtesy JInnes
Readying for Return Paddle
Once re-assembled at the parking lot, we began our drive back out along Bell Lake road and then west down highway 637 to the George Lake Campground. A most successful outing, executed without hiccups or drama. In all, we had covered 18.6 kilometres: 6.4km of paddling and 12.2km of hiking. Our total elevation gain (and loss) was 1200 feet (360m).
Interactive trackmap with photo points - Silver Peak Canoe and Hike - click map to view
Climb of Silver Peak - Paddle and Hike Data
Start Time:
8:52a.m.
End Time:
3:39p.m.
Duration:
6h46m
Distance:
18.66 km
(11.6 mi)
Average Speed:
2.8 km/hr
(1.7 mph)
Start Elevation:
735ft
(224m)
*
Max Elevation:
1762ft
(537m)
*
Min Elevation:
678ft
(207m)
*
End Elevation:
716ft
(218m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain:
1189ft
(362m)
*
Total Elevation Loss:
1200ft
(366m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
