On a hot summer morning I got an early start and drove to Monte Lake.    I use the hand launch area from the Monte Creek Forest Service Road on the north side of the lake.   The lake was calm and I only saw one other boat on a paddle down the lake and back.

There is a boat launch off the highway on the east side of the lake too, but I prefer the informal one on the north end.

Surround the lake is blackened forest from the gigantic 2021 White Rock Forest Fire.  Twenty-eight homes were burned in the fire and the Community of Monte Lake was evacuated.   Recovery efforts are still underway.

A paddle around the shoreline is about 6.7 km, a good workout.    I prefer to paddle down the west side and back on the same side to avoid the highway noise.   The noise is the only drawback.    A good lake to wear earpods while paddling.