When we launch our kayaks from Lac le Jeune Provincial Park we can choose to do a loop east or west and if we choose to head to the West Lake we then have to paddle to the bridge underpass.   My loop route followed the north shore of the lake, then a circuit on the smaller lake, followed by a circuit of the south side of the main lake and back, a 5.5 km morning paddle.

In a year of high rainfall, the lake was full and that left minimal space to get under the bridge.   By removing my PFD and laying flat on the deck of the kayak, I pulled myself through (barely).

Winds made even the small lake choppy, but I headed around the lakeshore, watching for birds and wildlife.

There are some interesting channels in the marshes at the far end of the lake.   The waterway is the start of Meadow Creek which flows down to Logan Lake, then into Guichon Creek which flows south to the Nicola River.

Water lilies were in bloom on both lakes.

Goslings were steered by the mother goose in sheltered bays on the lake.

Silver light was cast on Lac le Jeune for the return paddle

Each summer I do a circuit of the area’s lakes, some of which are done every year (like Lac le Jeune), and some are in alternate years or every few years.   I try to do a few new lakes each year too, but this now means more traveling time, smaller lakes, or a challenging portage.   The overall goal is to get out paddling more than 50 times each year, and in 2021 it was 80 times.