One of the lakes we return to paddle each year is Badger Lake. Access to the lake is either past Knouff Lake (7 km) on a bumpy back road, or up the Orchard Lake Road (13 km) from Highway 5 North. The road goes up the east side of Badger Lake to a B.C. Rec Site. There is now a separate public boat launch just before the campground. It is a bit of a longer drive on backroads to the lake, but it is worth the drive.
From the boat launch the main part of the lake runs north-south for 2.3 km. Forested hills rise above the lake on either side.
Not shown on the map is a shallow, narrow channel (near the southwest corner of the lake). Kayaks can paddle through that channel to the marshy areas on the west side.
Even in September there was enough water to allow for easy access under the forest canopy.
The marshes on the west side are surrounded by rushes and reeds with ducks clustered in sheltered areas. Dragonflies patrolled the calm waters in search of prey. There is another 2.3 km of exploration for paddlers in this part of the lake.
Another channel on the north end of the marshes provides access to the main part of the lake. Following the shoreline around the lake bays and channels is 8.3 km.
A young loon surfaced in the lake nearby. Fishing line had become tangled in its beak. It will be unlikely to survive the winter.
I drove up to Badger Lake via Knouff Lake but I drove down the Orchard Lake Road, stopping on the way down to hike into Struthers Creek Falls (link). WE will return to paddle Badger Lake again next year.
Paddling through the back channels adds an extra 3km of quiet paddling, usually with good opportunities to see ducks, geese, loons, and eagles. The marshlands have wide channels to paddle among the rushes and reeds.
