On the second day of summer the winds were forecast to be strong by 10:00 am so I was on a nearby lake by 8:30. Edith Lake is a good choice in the wind because half of the lake is sheltered by hills. By the end of the paddle, winds were stronger, but the effort to get in an early … Continue reading →
On the last day of spring Pass Lake made a good destination paddle. The distance around the lake is about 2.5 km so two loops is a good choice when conditions are right. The road into the Rec Site was a bit rough, but both boat launches were in good shape. On this weekday morning there were no other boats … Continue reading →
When the river fully fills at freshet, the lowlands near Tranquille fill, creating lagoons, bays, and channels among the tall shrubs. We can launch from a parking area near Tranquille and create our own route. On a calm and cloudy day we are rewarded with reflections in the glassy waters. On such days there can be a surreal, peaceful experience, … Continue reading →
Lac le Jeune is one of the best paddling lakes in the area. Access is good – paddlers can launch from the beach, and the lake has a lot of capacity for fishermen and paddlers. Although there is a dedicated boat launch, I usually launch from the beach area instead, going east or west in a loop route. On this … Continue reading →
On a rainy grey morning I launched my kayak from the grass in Pioneer Park and paddled downstream on the surging current of the river during freshet. It rained for about half of the outing. High volumes of water makes the paddle back upstream harder, especially around the bridge supports. When it rains we can wear a good paddling jacket … Continue reading →
The road from Knouff Lake to Badger Lake was wet, bumpy, and muddy in early June, but the slow drive is worth the effort to paddle one of our favorite lakes. Because it is out-of-the-way on a potholed road there are only a few diehard fishermen at the lake, and on an early mid-week morning, the lake was very quiet. … Continue reading →
When the rivers rise in June the lands between the airport and Tranquille flood and we can kayak out and explore the channels. When its windy out in the river, we can paddle a loop route in the protected bays and channels. Ducks and geese can be found in the side channels and pocket bays with their young by their … Continue reading →
On a calm morning in June I launched my kayak at the Walloper Rec Site and paddled around Walloper Lake.A loop around the shoreline is 4.8 km. There were ducks and a loon on the lake, a blue heron in the shallows, and this nesting loon in a small bay. It was a peaceful paddle (the traffic on the highway … Continue reading →
Between morning rain showers and an afternoon thundershower I launched my kayak from the McArthur Island boat launch and paddled down the Thompson River to the west end of the lagoon channel that goes around the island. With high waters, the boat launch and the channels were full of water. Paddling downriver was quick because of the current. In some … Continue reading →
On a mid-May morning I launched from McArthur Island and paddled up the Thompson River. The current was stronger during freshet. At the east end of the Island, I rounded Rabbit Island. Paddling down the south side of the island is easy and much faster. Paddling back upstream is harder and a faster paddling rhythm is required to complete the … Continue reading →
On a grey spring day I paddled around McConnell Lake twice. There were no other boats on the lake, but there was a bald eagle, a loon, some ducks, and fish jumping for insects. Some of the moments at the lake are captured on video: McConnell Lake Provincial Park is a lovely spot to kayak, hike, or snowshoe, one we … Continue reading →
McQueen Lake is not paddled very often, mostly because of poor access. To get to a reasonable launch spot requires hauling the boat to the shoreline where there is a break in the bullrushes. Once on the lake, though, it is a very nice 2.7 km paddle around the marshy shoreline. I paddled around the lake twice, once in each … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
On a mid-May morning I launched my kayak into Neskonlith Lake in calm conditions. I paddled around the east end of the lake and up the shoreline, then back around the rocky island to the launch area. On the previous year I had paddled the other end of the lake. A paddle around the whole lake is 11.6 km. By … Continue reading →
Louis Lake lies in the valley between Mount Fleet and the Paul Lake Ridge (I call it Louis Ridge). The western end of the lake is shallow and as the lake levels fall and the reeds, rushes, and aquatic plants grow in summer, it becomes impassible for a canoe or kayak. But in the spring we can paddle … Continue reading →
In mid-May there was wind every day, but on this mid-week day, the wind ranged from calm to gusty so I picked a smaller lake to paddle. I paddled twice around Isobel Lake, once in each direction, a total of 5 km. When I started there was no one else on the lake. A few campers were set up at … Continue reading →