Bear Creek

[Whalepuke]

I haven’t sailed here in probably 25 years. Has anyone given this spot a go in recent years? Can you still camp there? Just thinking of options...

[lucas]

Kited there last year, its a rock beach so helps if you have a person to help launch your kite. Care taker on site taking payment for camping. Great area but a bit spooky as the cleaest wind is pretty off shore with the bail out about 9km from the beach. Fresh water swells are super fun that far down the lake.

[Whalepuke]

I’d like to know what weather conditions to look for to know if it’s worth the trip? Pressure gradients, wether forecast etc. I remember those swells! I’ve had a handful of good days here.

[raquo]

Are the winds at Bear Creek stronger than at the south end of the lake where I think most people launch from? Despite the rocks it could be good for windsurfers at least.

EDIT: Found this old thread: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=872&p=9605 Looks like it's windy but infested with rowdy teenagers? Do I have this right?

[C36]

I had remembered seeing a website for campsite reservations at Bear Creek. It looks its open for damping now, but had previously been restricted to day use from May 16 to June 1.

[nursee78]

Yes it’s always way windier down at Bear Creek and nice and steady. I went three times last year and used my 7m where I usually use my 10m or 12m at the main launch. I’ve only accessed it by boat so can’t say what the campground is like.

[ShonanDB]

Was at Bear Creek today and it was 18 gusting to 25 from the South with knee to thigh high rollers. Didn't see anyone else on the water even up close to Harrison itself by the breakwater/marinas on my way back. The Campsite was about half full but the Camp Host said that they are still enforcing social distancing so every second campsite was taped off leaving only about 25 (out of 40 something) camp sites usable. Beautiful location but the road (logging road) was pretty rough and very dusty. The lake water height was quite high and a few campsites were actually flooded. Looks like you could windsurf off of Cogburn Beach (3km North) too but there was a bit of a wind shadow and very narrow launch options there.

[C36]

...The lake water height was quite high and a few campsites were actually flooded...

Thanks for the OSR. The flooded sites were the sites right on the beach or did the flooding extended a row or two back into the park and impact sites further back too?

[ShonanDB]

The water was right at the tree line so no beach sites were usable and a few of the walk in sites were under water in the 2nd row of sites just in from the tree line. All others seemed fine but every 2nd site was closed off for distancing.

[lucas]

Appreciate the report, probably challenging to drift launch a kite if the shore line is nonexistent. I didn't realize that the lake fluctuated water height so much.