Paddling the Frogmoore Fens
One of our favorite lakes to paddle is East Frogmoore Lake. It is not easy to get into the lake which makes it seldom-visited and it feels remote. Directions into the lake were detailed in a previous post – East Frogmoore.
This time we launched in the third lake, paddled across the lake, landed at the east end, portaged our boats over the dam, then relaunched into the channel. Near the end of the channel, we found it had been dammed with debris so we had to portage around the blockage and drop-off into the last part of the channel into the lake.
Extensive lily pads areas and marshlands surround the lake, making interesting paddling. The yellow pond lilies were in bloom in mid-August.
When the lake was dammed, water levels rose, drowning some trees. Large rootstalks line the fens on several shorelines. Reeds, cattails, lily pads, and smart weed surround the lake.
On a sunny day, the sun and clouds reflect in the lake.
This lake has a special character to it. Click an image for a lightbox (larger) view.
The total distance to paddle both East and West Frogmoore Lake is about 6.5km. Adding two portages each way adds extra time. It imay be possible to 4WD or quad into the lake, but that would be a long, bumpy route and which would not get to a launch, so fishermen and paddlers usually paddle down the channel to get to East Frogmoore Lake.
Not easy, but well-worth the adventure….