I paddle Pinantan Lake every year, launching from the end of Cridge Road.      I usually paddle around the lakeshore (4 km) and in some years I paddle and portage up to the upper lake (sometimes called Little Pinantan Lake).    The route starts by paddling along the north shore of the lake to the northeast corner.    From there a marsh channel can be paddled in spring.     There is a beaver dam part way up and this year there was a second barrier too.

Before the dam we can paddle over to a grassy (and muddy) shoreline area, get out, then haul the kayak by hand past the barrier, then relaunch again.    In the marsh it is not easy to get out and get back in again (twice).

I launched back into the upper channel and entered the upper lake, a scenic small lake bordered by bullrushes and cattails.    There were ducks, blackbirds, and marsh wrens .    Grasslands and forested slopes surround the lake.    I paddled once around the lake, then came back down the channel, did the portage, then paddled back into the main lake.

The route to the upper lake is a bit of an adventure and the small lake is a lovely spot.    I hope to return to the main lake to paddle once more, probably in summer.

More information on Pinantan Lake.