In late September, we visited Hanmore Lake, about 30 minute north of the town of Smokey Lake. It was a bit of an overcast day so the photos look a bit dreary. Best access is north on Highway 855, then west on Township Road 612, then north on Range Road 174. You can also come in from the north on a gravel road by the Island Lake turn off.
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Saturday, January 28, 2023
Hanmore Lake
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Touchwood Lake
In late September, we drove about 45 minutes east of Lac La Biche into Lakeland Provincial Park to visit Touchwood Lake. The drive in was on a rolling gravel road (nicely maintained, though)
The campground was closed by there was still access to the day-use area and the boat launch. Day-use area had picnic tables, fire pits, pit toilets, playground, garbage, etc. There was also a guy who was camping there.
The boat launch was a cement pad, with a dock plus a small beach. Easy sandy entry. The only other boat on the lake was a fishing boat that came in while we were unloading. It was a pretty windy day and the two guys in the boat suggested the calmest water was on the south-west shore, so we paddled right off the beach and worked our way around the northern basin.
We eventually got into the lee of a point and slowed down to enjoy the paddle
The water was extremely clear and we could see moose tracks on the bottom (bigger across than the span of my hand).
The only animal was saw was an eagle (plus the usual waterfowl).
After about 90 minutes we booted it back north across the open water to the boat launch for lunch. There was a pretty good swell (the boats were making that wallowing motion).
Saturday, January 14, 2023
Beaver Lake
In late September, we paddled Beaver Lake near Lac La Biche. I had hopped to launch from the beach in the provincial campground (pink arrow) of the provincial group camping area (orange arrow) but both were closed, seemingly for the season.
Saturday, January 7, 2023
Lac La Biche
In late September, we spent some time in Lac La Biche, including paddling on Lac La Biche. There are really too many access points to catalogue so I'm going to focus on Sir Winston Churchill Park, which is connected to the south shore via a causeway that starts just east of town
There is a boat launch on the east side of the spit right before the park. There are also two easy beach launches on the SW and NE corners. Given the wind, we used the NE beach. Lots of parking, picnic shelters, playground, pit toilets, tables on the beach. Carry is about 50 feet, mostly just the depth of the beach.
There were a tonne of birds flocking up, including pelicans and cormorants. We also hung out with three otters and saw a bunch of deer. Also signs of coyote and bear!
A bit of a longer paddle than I'd expected (maybe 8km return) but lovely.
We got to the the NW point and the waves were too big to bother with so we turned round and came back. We later drove over the the SW beach in the campground. Basically the the same set up and carrying distances.