Three Lakes: Three Choices

 

 

Vernon sits between three lakes, Okanagan to its west, Kalamalka (aka Kal) to its south and Swan Lake to its north.  These three lakes are each unique in size, surrounding scenery and condition of water.   And each is best suited to different aquatic recreation. 

 

 

Vernon was the first major centre in the interior of BC.  As early as the 1860s cattle ranches were established, followed by orchards and farms, logging operations and boat yards.  Steam boats transported fruit and other products up and down Okanagan Lake, and the railroad moved freight and products across the country. Barnard's Express and Stage Line, one of North America's oldest, largest and longest running stage coach companies, located its head office and ranch in Vernon. 

So Vernon was a transportation hub, and the city developed at the juncture of the transport spokes, rather than situating itself on the edge of one of the three surrounding lakes. 

Unfortunately "Greater Vernon", a loose collection of various municipal regions, has never chosen to make development of public spaces along the lakes a priority.  So visitors often pass Vernon by, continuing south to communities like Kelowna and Penticton for their summer lake experiences.

But don't be fooled for a minute.  Those of us who live here, or visitors that have looked a bit farther than manicured grass and lengthy esplanades, have discovered the wonderful opportunities these different lakes, so very close-by, can offer.

Originally, about 10,000 years ago,  the whole valley was filled with one huge lake, the Glacial Lake Penticton, which stretched from Okanagan Falls in the south to the Shuswap Lakes in the north and was as much as 150 metres deeper than the lakes occupying the valley today.  Through many geological and climatic changes, the lakes have taken their present form. 

For the last four years we have lived in Vernon I have spent most of my time around Okanagan and Kalamalka Lakes but this year I have discovered Swan Lake.

 

Rowers from Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club.  Picture from club web site

 

I've joined the Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club and have found myself a new passion.  What better way to start an Okanagan day than alone in a scull, rhythmically dipping your oars silently into the still water?  The few other boats have rushed ahead, some with 2 and 4 paddlers working hard and fast.  Being a novice, I have fallen behind, perhaps partly by choice. As I direct the boat across the lake, the drone of Highway 97 traffic evaporates.  Only the occasional call of a loon close-by or the chirping of blackbirds among the bull-rushes enters the morning calm.  The sun has reached up above Silver Star Mountain and is shining on the water,  The green around the lake smells cool and fresh.  What a way to start the day!

 

Early morning sculling on Swan Lake

 

Swan Lake is shallow and muddy.  It is surrounded by a mix of hayfields, summer cabins and some fancy homes. The south end is marshy.  Here there is a the Swan Lake Nature Reserve and Trails, a great place to spy raptors, terns, owls, shorebirds and warblers. Occasionally there is a kayak or canoe on the lake also some motor boats.  But at 6:00 am its for rowers and loons.

One day this week a friend invited me to go kayaking on Kal Lake.  By the time we put the kayaks in at the boat launch on Kinloch Drive, it was 0930hrs and the sun was hot.  It took no time at all to get organized and into the kayaks.  The lake water felt refreshing but not frigid as we waded in. 

Kal Lake is unquestionably the most beautiful Lake in the Okanagan.  It is a "marl" lake.  As summer warms its water, dissolved calcium carbonate (limestone) forms crystals that reflect sunlight and produce an array of jewel-like shades from aquamarine to periwinkle blue. We floated along the shore gazing down through various hues of blue-green spotting schools of small fish.  Along the way there were carpets of lawn that reached from the water's edge up to some fine old Victorian homes and other modern lake residences, some with docks sticking out adorned with Adirondack chairs and boats, kayaks and surf boards. 

 

Kayaking on Kal Lake  Picture by C James

Large willow tress with branches that touched the ground created spaces of shade.  As we approached Kalamalka Provincial Park, the sun caught the red bark of the Ponderosa Pines and ducklings scattered as we quietly moved through the water. On either side of Rattlesnake Point are beaches, Jade Beach and Juniper Beach, our two favourite places for summer swims.

KalaVida Surf Shop near Kal Beach

 

I was surprised how quiet the lake was, only a couple other kayakers, and stand-up paddle-boarders and one motor boat pulling a slalom skier.  It was a Wednesday morning, a weekend morning would have been a very different scene.  Kal Lake has become THE place for stand-up paddle boarding.  It is a reasonably calm and quiet lake.  Across the road from Kal Beach, at the north end of Kal Lake, is Kalavida Surf Shop, recognized as BC's original paddle-surf shop.  And on busy weekends there are plenty of motor boats, water skiers and wake boarders.

 

Patio at Blue Heron Pub and Restaurant

Our favourite hangout for a summer supper is The Blue Heron, a pub and restaurant with a large waterfront patio on Okanagan Lake.  It has ample parking for cars and boats.  Even on a scorcher day there is a coolness from the lake and the very casual atmosphere encourages you to linger over your cold beer and bistro-fare.  Okanagan Lake, much larger than the other lakes, sees the most boat traffic, with lots of large jet boats,  pontoon boats, and sail boats.  The Vernon Yacht Club houses power and sail boats and every Wednesday and Sunday the sail boats are out in full force enjoying the dependable late afternoon breeze. 

 

Vernon Yacht Club

Ah how lucky we are: three lakes and three different venues for aquatic sports all a mere 15 minutes from our door.