Wigeon Falls

May 14, 2024 - Pinecone Burke Provincial Park - Maple Ridge

Stats: 15.2 km / 161m gain / 6 km hiking and 9 km kayaking

How to celebrate Charlotte's 60th? By doing what we all love to do: get out into nature.

This was a combo kayak & hike in the peaceful sanctuary of Pitt Meadows.

I got to use Simon's compact kayak. It took a bit more effort to set them up, than to take them down. But still very doable, and very transportable.

And then there's Charlotte and her elite gear and expertise. She was a national competitor in a Dragon Boat team for many years. She even took a rope along in case she'd have to pull me. With my neck and arm issues caused by a former injury, I wasn't so sure how I'd do with the kayaking. Thankfully the rope was not needed.

A pair of Canadian geese sharing the waters with us. We left the dock where Pitt Lake becomes Pitt River.

No wind and no tidal current made for easier paddling -- north.

It was so serene, just hearing the birdsong and rhythmic lap of the oars dipping into the water. After crossing Pitt River we entered the narrower Wigeon Creek.

Arrived 1:15 hours later at the trailhead to Wigeon Falls & Lake.

Parked at the ex-forest service recreation site.

From there it was a 3 km hike to the falls.

There were numerous humongous ancient stumps scattered throughout this forest.

We had a birthday party at the falls. Denise brought fresh strawberries with icecream, Charlotte brought drinks & I brought homemade banana loaf.

Good times & going strong. 60 is just a number.

Us four have shared many memorable adventurous trips together and look forward to dong many more...

Paddling down the Wigeon Creek, we were going with the flow as the tide was about an hour shy of being at it's lowest. At one point we had to get out and pull the kayaks a bit because the water was too low. Crossing the Pitt River, we had to give it all we had because we were paddling into the current and wind.

We had a guilt-free dinner at Mission Springs Brewing Co.