A blog I wrote for for Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
Ucluelet is completely surrounded by water. Situated on a peninsula on the west coast of Vancouver Island, it is a home base for sea bound adventure seekers. Sea kayaking, salt water fishing, whale watching, and sailing are all activities that draw visitors to Ucluelet every summer. The Pacific Ocean, as magnificent and beautiful as it is, is not the only body of water you can enjoy while visiting Ucluelet.
Kennedy Lake is the largest lake on Vancouver Island and has been inhabited for thousands of years by the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation. It’s located just northeast of Ucluelet with many access points just a 15 to 20 minute drive from town. There are two day-use sites along the south shore including a recreational beach, picnic area and a boat launch. Visitors come to swim, kayak or canoe, swim and fish.
My favourite thing to do on Kennedy Lake is kayak. When you kayak in the remote sections of Kennedy Lake you can get up close to true wilderness. It’s an experience that will connect you to the land, the Nuu-chah-nulth history and culture, and allow you to view some of the most beautiful scenery Vancouver Island has to offer.
We left early in the morning to get to the lake before the usual afternoon winds picked up. The water was completely calm. The high forest covered mountains loomed overhead, reflecting perfectly on the surface of the water. The higher rockier mountains in the distance stood tall with their snow capped peaks. Patches of new growth forest showed off their youth with vibrant greens, bringing the forest back to life after years of logging in this area. The Clayoquot Arm Provincial Park lines the northwest section of the Clayoquot Arm, protecting an old growth forest of Sitka spruce, a conifer tree that is able to grow in salty, magnesium rich soils where most other seedlings die.
As we paddled along the shoreline we came alongside steep vertical cliffs of grey stone, topped with cedars and spruce growing in any and all directions. It felt similar to kayaking in the Broken Group Islands in Barkley Sound. We kayaked around out-crops and inside of inlets, peering up rock walls and looking deep into the forest.
We paddled passed rushing creeks and small waterfalls as they ran into Kennedy Lake. We stopped on a rocky beach near one of these streams to take a break and have a picnic lunch. Giant cedars and Sitka spruce created a wall behind the beach. We sat in the sunshine, listened to the sound of the creek feeding into the lake and started to plan our way back to the boat launch.
After crossing the lake at a narrow section of the arm, we paddled along the opposite shoreline back. We saw a giant bald eagle perched on a dead, leaning log. As we approached it, it took flight and flew low, right above our heads! Later we saw two sleepy river otters pop their heads up from behind a pile of drift logs on a small beach. There is a lot of wildlife along Kennedy Lake including spawning sockeye salmon, deer and even the occasional seal that come up Kennedy River from Clayoquot Sound. Predators like bears, wolves and cougars also live here. For this reason visitors are advised to avoid bringing pets into the park and keep young children close, especially if you are spending time on the shore.
As we made our way back the wind started to blow. Because of the steep mountains that surround Kennedy Lake it is very common for strong winds to pick up without warning and blow through the valley like a wind tunnel. The water started to get choppy and our cruise-like paddling became a little more difficult, but by staying close to shore and pacing ourselves we were able to make it back to the boat launch safely. In fact, by the time we had arrived the wind had died off completely and we were paddling towards the shore in flat, glassy water.
Kennedy Lake can offers days of water fun and exploration. It is just another breathtaking destination and memorable activity to add to your visit to Ucluelet and the Pacific Rim.
Until next time,
Amy Hancock
Please Note: The Clayoquot Arm Provincial Park is in the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. Please show respect by not disturbing the park’s natural heritage. Please do not pick flowers or cut down trees in this park. Campfires are not allowed in the Kennedy Lake Provincial Park but are permitted in Clayoquot Arm. Please conserve the environment by minimal use of fires and remember the “Leave No Trace” code camping ethics regarding your garbage, fire and gear. It’s also important to know that access to Indian Reserves (Clayoquot Arm) is prohibited unless prior permission has been granted by the band office.