Circle the Shuswap: Bikepacking into the Unknown (Video)

In early June, Mike Coulter and Jake Kostelyk set off on a route circumnavigating Shuswap Lake in the Southern Interior of British Columbia. Mike created the route to experience more of his backyard and build a deeper appreciation for a lake system often commonly associated with houseboats, wakeboards, and hectic summer campgrounds. The name “Shuswap” is derived from the Shuswap or Secwepemc First Nations people, the most northern of the Interior Salish peoples, whose territory includes the Shuswap.

The four arms of Shuswap Lake roughly form the shape of a massive letter “H,” and finding a way around required linking quiet coastal pavement, old logging roads, rushing glacial rivers, and even a high mountain pass. As the early season heat took its toll on the two friends, they had to find a way to adapt and continue to push on in hopes of closing the loop in a single weekend. Luckily, an abundance of resupply points, excellent camping at Crazy Creek Hot Pools, and a general love of a good challenge helped make attempting to circle the Shuswap one of the highlights of the summer.

Circle the Shuswap Route

Words by Mike Coulter

The most straightforward way to enjoy the route would be to begin in the Village of Chase. Our journey began closer to home in Kamloops to avoid driving. The route shared here shows a slightly shorter course to reflect this modification. The highway section between Enderby and Salmon Arm is busy and loud in the summer. Any detour to avoid this section is encouraged.

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