On a calm end-of-May morning, I launched my kayak in Pinantan Lake.

The goal was to paddle up the marsh channel toward the upper lake.   I had hauled my boat over the beaver dam in the past to get onto the smaller lake, but on another occasion (in summer), it was too difficult.   My thinking was that it would be easier in spring when the lakes and channels were full of water.

I got out of the boat, wading in the channel, and then hauled the boat over the barrier and got back into the kayak.    At that point I noticed a possible way to portage around the dam.

I did the portage on the way back and it was much easier.    It is on the east side of the channel in a small side bay.   The weather was calm for the paddle back around the main lake.   Later in the day a thunder shower burst into the area so I was pleased to have gotten out early before the storm.