S4 Kayaking (Canoeing) #4 Hosmer Lake Starlight Float

 Hosmer Lake Starlight Float (Wanderlust Tours)

Starting Location:  Wanderlust Tour office in Bend

Point of Interest : Hosmer Lake (this may change), starry nights

Bathrooms: Yes, at office, and at Hosmer Lake

Parking: Plenty of parking at office, they shuttle to lake.

EV Chargers: No


This was our 30th anniversary experience. We had actually won a gift certificate at the Perrydale Auction for Wanderlust tours, and we chose this Starlight Float.

We checked in at the office, got in the van, and headed to Hosmer Lake, which we were at last year. It sounds like they go to different lakes, depending on conditions, like fires and smoke.





There were 14 of us, including our guide. We met at the office in Bend, piled in the 14 passenger van, and headed up to the lake. We paired up in canoes, and headed out to the North end of the lake, just beyond the riparian section. We put in at dusk, and it was easy to see where we were going. 

There was a slight haze due to smoke, but otherwise very clear. Mosquitoes disappeared once we were on the lake. Bats and nighthawks came out to eat them, and did a good job.

The water was like glass, and there was no wind. Perfect conditions.
As we got to the North end, the stars slowly came out. Our guide was good about explaining the nature around us, even on the drive up. He had a green laser pointer, and as it got dark, he started pointing out constellations, and their stars.

I don't have any pictures after dark, but as we waited for pitch dark, he passed out drinks (beer or hot chocolate) and a very tasty raspberry oatmeal bar freshly made at a bend bakery.

It got really dark. We could see satellites moving, and the Milky Way was visible as we started heading back to the boat ramp.

This was fun, informative, and a little magical. I've never been in our kayaks after dark, and now I'm ready for more. We did have headlamps, but really didn't use them. Our guide turned on a red light which we followed back to the ramp. He then backed up, in the dark, with a trailer, just using the flashing red light for a guide.

Even though we stayed up way past our bedtime, I highly recommend this tour. The total time is about 2 hours, with half of that on the lake.


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