Paddle Pitt Lake to Widgeon Falls

The 12km (7.5 mi) drive on Neaves Road to Pitt Lake from Pitt Meadows is one of BC's most scenic routes. As soon as you start this section of the drive you already feel miles from the city, but this route is only 30-45 minutes from Vancouver, depending on city traffic.

Once you reach the parking lot, get your kayak or rent a canoe ($50-100 for the day) and set off from the boat launch. Paddle to Widgeon Slough, a small section of Pitt Lake that is accessible via an easy and smooth paddle west from the boat launch. Watch out for wildlife in the tall grasses. Birds, bears, and deer are all possible encounters. After about 30 min. of paddling you will reach a fork in the creek, usually signed Widgeon Falls - follow the creek left.

Be warned that the creek can be quite shallow in these sections, as Pitt Lake is tidal. This also means that once you reach the campsite shortly after the turn off, you'll have to pull your vessel high onto the grasses to make sure it doesn't go floating away while you are hiking.

Once at the campsite, it's an easy, flat, and well-marked hike Widgeon Falls (6km/3.7 mi roundtrip). Extremely worth the trip, this is a great swimming hole on a hot summer day.

Once you return to the campsite, either paddle back the same way you came or pitch your home for the night. The return trip with hike included should take 5 hours, excluding however long you swim for.