Finding Gold At Roberts Bay | Shuswap Lake
Roberts Bay to the Left, seen from the boat. The rocky shoreline and bedrock make for a very interesting paddle!
Shuswap Adventure Girl
There are 23 different sites in Shuswap Lake Marine Park. Roberts Bay on Anstey Arm is one of our favorite. For it has a very peculiar and history-rich legend surrounding it. We set out from Blind Bay on our pontoon boat, loaded up with gear and kids for a camping trip at Roberts Bay. The kids and us adults were equally excited to explore the legend of the deep underwater river of gold here. The entrance was said to be at the mouth of one of the rivers leading into Shuswap Lake. And it is claimed that there was a maze of passageways and channels which lead deep into the underworld.
"...such a cave, miles in length, hides a blind river, rich in gold"
(The Legend of the Lost underground River of Gold of Shuswap Lake, BC Prospectors, Date accessed November 9, 2020) https://www.bcprospectors.ca/Projects%20.htm
The bay is named after R. Roberts, the explorer who allegedly made this discovery. Some speculate he is entombed in the caves. His original homestead was believed to be near Queest Village, not far from Roberts Bay.
The rocks and sand and sediment on the beach are full of sparkles - perhaps micro gold?
The last expedition to try and find the caves’ opening was in 2016. So interesting!
It is a perfect place to explore the cliffs and bedrock by paddleboard and kayak.
