Day 5, June 26, 2019

After getting out of our sleeping bags at 07:20 we launched the canoe at 09:50 and set off down towards the southern end of Isaac Lake.  We arrived at Camp 28, the last campsite on the lake, at 10:45.  The weather for the paddle to the campsite was perfect for paddling - some sun, some cloud, not too hot and a light breeze on our backs.  It was a short day, only 6km, which we had planned so we could have a rest day.  I think Keith would have gone further but I wanted to have a break before we had to contend with the  portages coming up ahead.
When we reached the campsite we unloaded the canoe, picked a tent pad and then went to watch a canoe shoot the fast moving water where the lake emptied into the Isaac River.  Apparently they had gone through successfully earlier but then decided to play in the rapids. The result was an upset and the loss of two pieces of equipment, one of which was a good pair of binoculars.  From the bank Keith and I scouted the best route for us to take the next day before going back to set up our campsite.
A group of Boy Scouts paddled in to the group campsite and unloaded their canoes and set about setting up their tents.  Once they were settled in their leader took them back onto the lake for some safety training.  He showed them how to do a T rescue and how to get back into a canoe after being tipped out.  Then he had them tip their canoes and carry out a rescue.  It was interesting to watch but I didn't envy them.  The water was very cold, but it didn't seem to deter them because later they had fun floating down the river through the rapids.

Later a large family group arrived and it turned out they had got together to organize the Bowron Circuit trip for their father/grandfather so that he could take one item off his bucket list.
After having our lunch we hiked along the portage trail from the camp to the take-out point downstream so that we could scout the river ready for the next day's paddle through the Chute and the rapids a little further down.  It looked like we would not have any problems on the river but the following portage did not look good.
When we got back we chatted with the scout leaders and had a good conversation with the family group.  We all stayed in the group shelter because it had started to rain shortly after we had set up our tent and it rained on and off all day varying from light to heavy and with a brief thunderstorm.

The family group.

To make our evening more enjoyable the family lit a fire in the wood stove and we all took advantage of the warmth once the stove warmed up.  It was a good evening spending time with good company.