Lac Ste. Anne, West Cove Launch

For Mother's Day, we took a trip to Lac Ste. Anne, using the West Cove boat launch. The launch was deserted and the water was super clean.

We paddled north to Farming Island, basically following the west shore of the island to the north side of the lake. The island looks like a glacial moraine (or maybe an esker).

It was smoking hot on the water at 10 am (like +24C) but a south wind picked up. 

We had a bit of a rough paddle back to the south shore down the east side of the island but it was a lovely trip. 

If I go back, I'd like to beach on the island and walk around bit. I think I read there are two geocaches on the island.

Since we were in the neighbourhood, we continued on to the Lu Carbyn Nature Sanctuary that is operated by the Edmonton and Area Land Trust. We've volunteered to count loons for them on one of the lakes here and thought we go get the lay of the land. No loons, but we saw three frogs, two trumpeter swans, and one large pile of cougar poop!

North Lake and Little Mere

I took a trip to North Lake and Little Mere a week ago. Access can be a bit tricky and DIY so I put directions here. The lake was in good shape, with no weed growth yet and a decent water level.

I went in at at the culvert where Range Road 13 intersects Township Road 540. This is steep and a touch tricky. Then I paddle through the sunken forest and out into the lake.

One of the nicest spots on the lake in on the south side where the outflow should be but has been dammed up by beavers. There is a small inlet that is shaded by trees.

 

I did a quick circuit of the lakes. there was a lot of waterfowl, including geese and loons and grebes. No signs of the beavers, except for their lodge.

The day was hot (+25C in early May) and the sky was almost cloudless. I never seen anyone on this lake and today was no exception.

I did get to wave at the horses. They were curious but a bit skittish, referring to keep some distance from the kayak.

I took out a bit further east than I put in as it looked easier to exit here. This still was a rather athletic disembarking to get out dry footed. 

Overall, a nice paddle. I'm not sure I'd go back any time soon. After three or four visits, I think I've seen pretty much all the lake has to offer.

North Saskatchewan, Quesnel to Fort Edmonton

I took a long lunch the first week of May and did a quick run up the North Saskatchewan, from the Quesnel Bridge to the Fort Edmonton footbridge and back.

There was still a bit of ice on the edges in the shade but otherwise the river was fine and running at summer levels. No sign of higher water from the spring melt yet.

It was a very hot day (+30) and the you could just smell the wildfires to the west of town.

There wasn't much or wildlife. A couple ducks, a muskrat and a fish jumping were all there around.

Overall, a nice paddle for early spring. If I get time, I'll see what Emily Murphy launch looks like.

Spring Lake

With the temperature at +31C on May 1 (!!!), I hauled the kid out to Spring Lake for a paddle before she heads off to work in the mountains for the summer. Access is tricky and I've put directions in this post.

The water level was lower this year than last so the launch was a touch mucky and smelly (although we got in and out with dry feet). It started out reasonably sunny but then quickly clouded over, which brought some welcome relief from the heat.

There were a couple of other paddlers on the lake but mostly it was just us, waterfowl, and frogs. The noise of the frogs was incredible. Ditto the loons staking out breeding territory and, of course, the ever-angry geese.

We did a tour of the lake in about 90 minutes without really trying very hard. Lots of weeds for so early in the year and lots of birds. 

Overall, a nice paddle in unexpectedly nice weather. Sunnier would have been nice but the moody clouds were also pretty. Maybe a lake to get hit earlier this year, given the water levels.