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Duck Tours
Kamloops - Logan Lake Loop(includes Tunkwa / Lac le Jeune Provincial Parks)
One of our most scenic Duck Tours, the Kamloops - Logan Lake Loop take you through a variety of topography and subsequent climatic zones typical of the BC Interior.
There's an approximate 2000 ft. difference in elevation between Kamloops and Logan Lake. With the exception of the Six Mile Ranch Project, the majority of the developed wetlands are in the cooler, higher elevations of the parkland zone.
Both provincial parks, Tunkwa and Lac Le Jeune sit at the interface between parkland and dry interior forest. This makes for numerous pothole type wetlands scattered within a grassland plateau surrounded by heavily forested hills.
In addition to the plentiful potholes, the area boasts an abundance of prolific fishing lakes, fishing lodges, retreats, hunting, camping, boating, trail riding, outstanding mountain bike trails and groomed X-country ski trails.
As well, you may choose to do the tour of Highland Valley Mines, reportedly the deepest open pit mine in North America or stop for a round of golf at the challenging Meadow Creek Golf course in Logan Lake.
On a steady drive, this loop can be completed in about 2 hours but you wouldn't see it all in 2 weeks! The main route is paved for your driving pleasure however access to some of the wetlands and many of the recreational opportunities requires some gravel road travel.
*Recommended Reading*
Understanding WetlandsBruno Delesalle (1998) for Ducks Unlimited Canada
A virtual wealth of information for tourists, biology students, educators and environmental professionals. An easily readable, user-friendly handbook that identifies key associations between wetland plants, plant communities and the habitat they provide for wildlife.(click picture for more info)
Starting from Kamloops, here's what awaits you!
Kamloops Lake - Panoramic Views
Travelling west on Trans Canada Highway (Hwy 1) toward Savona, your drive will break into a magnificent vista of Kamloops Lake.
Largely undeveloped, with future plans for resorts and residences, the Kamloops Lake offers a spectacular view along the Six Mile Ranch and culminates at the viewpoint at the top of six mile ranch hill. Here you can look back over the ranch to see Kamloops, Kamloops Lake and Mount's Peter and Paul.
This is some of the driest country in Canada. If you choose to hike around, make sure that your footwear and leg coverage is appropriate as ground cactus can leave you with a painful reminder of your errors.
Continue your drive west, again with breathtaking views of Kamloops Lake until you are at the bottom of the hill at Savona. Take a left turn south at the Tunkwa Lake Rd. turnoff to start the trek towards Logan Lake.
Six Mile Ranch Wetlands
Access - approximately one km up the hill from Savona, there is a gravel trail to the left that takes you to the series of marshes and Six Mile Lake. Once you reach Six Mile Lake you can turn around and go back to the Tunkwa Lake road or go through and exit on the Trans Canada heading towards Kamloops.
Addressing the irrigation needs of the local ranches, Six Mile Marshes is one of the most recent additions to the inventory of wetlands. This series of wetlands is virtually ice free for up to 9 months of the year and is an important staging area for migrating waterfowl.
Six Mile Lake has long been an important early season rainbow trout fishery that is susceptible to winter kill. This DUC project should help reduce such kill by stablizing water levels with supplemented water through an upstream diversion channel. Morgan Lake has recently been stocked with trout but is not fishable under the 2005 BC fishing regulations. It is under the observation of the local fisheries branch and my be opened for sportfishing in the future. Consult the BC Sportfishing Regulations for updated information.
Tunkwa Lake Area
Follow the Tunkwa Lake road south from Hwy 1 in Savona. This scenic,paved road winds through Indian Gardens Ranch and climbs to an elevation of about 3700ft (Savona is about 1150 ft). At approx. 15km you will have reached the plateau and you will see small pothole wetlands on the left hand side. You can hike and bike around here. This seems to be a popular staging area for dirt-bikers, snowmobilers and hunters.
Tunkwa Lake Provincial Park surrounds Tunkwa and Leighton Lakes, world reknowned for their rainbow trout fishing. As a site for the 1991 World Flyfishing Championships, Tunkwa has hosted the presense of some of the who's who in lake flyfishing.
Tunkwa is also formidible staging and nesting areas for a wide variety of waterfowl. From early spring to late fall, waterfowl grace the weedy shorelines. You can observe the birds along the shoreline or by canoe / boat on the water.
It's very possible to hike or bike around the area for wildlife viewing includes deer, moose, black bear and even wild horses.
Within the park and on Tunkwa Lake is Tunkwa Lake Resort, an affordable family vacation destination with cabin accommodation, boat rental, rv accommodation and horse paddocks.
There is an earthen dam that separates the two lakes (Tunkwa and Leighton) of which Ducks Unlimited participated in rebuilding. Again, a certain amount of water storage on these lakes is used for downstream ranching needs. The lakes a subject to a limited drawdown in the summer to service their needs. Participation by all parties makes this a great BC multi-use, 4 season playground.
Printable Tour Guide
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