Sylvan Lake

In mid-September, we were down near Red Deer and detoured west to paddle Sylvan Lake. The eastern end can get both busy and windy so we decided to try the west end. We went off a public boat launch on the south shore at Range Road 23.

Nice gravel launch, good parking, and a port-a-potty. The lake was very clean and warm. We turned west (left) and paddled towards the nature area on the west end of the lake.

The lake was quiet early in the morning and the weather was cloudy and cool.

We saw a pair of eagles and a bunch of ducks.

Lots of dramatic sun rising pictures due to the smoke from the wildfires.

The leaves were turning nicely and there were lots of cabins to see.

We found a big buoy loose at the north end and dragged it back to the parking lot.

 Overall, this was a very nice paddle. Next time, I might try to get in from the north side of the lake.

Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area

In mid-September, I took trip down to Red Deer and detoured east to Buffalo Lake. Since we were coming from the north, we decided to try the Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area on the NE corner. We also could have launched from Pelican Point.

The recreation area (also called Boss Hill locally) has a campground (pit toilets, no power or water, playground) and a beautiful beach. Access was easy--we could drive up to the edge of the beach and then carry maybe 50 feet to the water. It was pretty dead in mid-September but the park website said the day-use areas fills up in the summer.

The lake is sandy and shallow here. in the photo above, I'm 50 feet from the beach and ankle deep. In the phot below, I'm 100 feet offshore and maybe to my knee. The lake does have swimmers itch.

We paddled west and follow the south side of the island for awhile. It was lovely (+26 and calm) and there was little boat traffic as it was quite shallow here.

Basically you get beach, grass, and trees.

We saw a few birds, including a heron.

The east side of the lake is reedy as is the north side.

On our way back, we saw a pair of bald eagles in a tree.

Overall, a lovely beach and nice paddle. Maybe a bit boring? Going south might have provided a bit more shoreline interest. There are lots of other entry points for this lake, including White Sands, Rochon Sands and the Narrows on the south shore. Maybe next time!

North Saskatchewan River through Edmonton

In mid September, my wife and I took our annual float through town on the North Saskatchewan to see the leaves as well as the city from a unique angle.

We put in below the Quesnel bridge, which gave us the chance to paddle up Whitemud Creek. The water level was high for this time of year so we got much further than I have in the past.

There were some nice stretches and then a few placed where we had to negotiate shallow water or narrow channels.

We made it almost a kilometre upstream before running into a series of gravel bars and debris piles. We probably could have dragged the boats further but decided to just turn around.

We made it back out to the main channel and then continued on downstream. The river was periodically busy and then very quiet. Lots of fall colour already.

The street car was going across the top of the high level bridge while we went under.

It is always surprising just how big this bridge is from the water level.

The Edmonton Queen was out for a Sunday cruise. I don't think I've ever been on the water at the same time as the boat was sailing.

Spotted my first croc in the river.

Also huge pieces of coal eroding out of the river bank.

Downtown always looks so nice from the water.

We met the Queen again at accidental beach and then got stopped by the water cops doing a safety check.

We pulled out a Dawson Park. After a very busy float through downtown, there was no one at the park (which is unusual).

As usual, a nice float with zero challenges. This is a fun way to see the city.

Astotin Lake, Elk Island Park

In mid September, I drove out to Elk Island Lake for a birthday paddle. It was a week day so the place was pretty much deserted. Just me and the bison.

The lake was having an algae bloom and was emerald-coloured. Paddling through the thickest stiff was like going through liquified spinach. The boat launch was better than the beach.

 

It was also super windy when I started out, so my plan to do the northern part of the lake was scuppered and I ended up island hopping over to the more sheltered southern side.

There were a lot of migrating birds flocked up, including some pelicans. I also saw two bald eagles way up tree.

The trip back to the boat launch was quick as the waves were rolling pretty good (pictures don't really do it justice). The launch is nice enough except there are big rocks only about five feet from shore. So my ride in on the waves stopped rather abruptly and inconveniently and I had to pole and bum-scoot through the surf zone.

This is the second trip in a row that the water has been really bad. And, of course it is always windy here (even early in the day like this trip). Walking around was nice. The new boardwalk is lovely and the beavers have been active.

Overall, enjoyable, but less so the paddling. And the kayak got a much needed wash when I got home.