Back on the Sturgeon

The Sturgeon River opened up in early April and by the 10th, I was back out for the season. The Mission launch downtown was doable but looked gross and hard. Instead, I went over to the DIY launch in Oakmont (at the intersection of Olivier Close and Otter Crescent). You got through the brick arch, follow the brick path until it turns and then down the grassy slope, and across the matted floodplain grass to the water.

The best entry spot this year was immediately downstream from the abandoned beaver lodge (now just a pile of dirt and sticks) behind boat in picture above. The footing was interesting (boggy with hidden logs) but an easy launch and landing.

The water was high with the run off and I went upstream to St. Albert Trail and back (6.75km in 90 minutes). There was a lot of beaver activity in the evening (like maybe 10 beavers and lots of downed trees on the banks).

The only paddling issue was this tiny shelf (shot looking downstream) just up from the launch. It is the base of an old beaver dam and required 30-seconds of moderate paddling to mount (no big deal) but might be tricky in a SUP (if so, you could get out and walk around pretty easy).

There was still some snow in shady areas but the rest was melted out. There were a few early geese, ducks, and waxwings plus I heard a robin.

I saw some wild asparagus (tawny patch behind the horizontal tree branch in the middle of the frame above) and the remains of wild cucumber vines and (inedible) fruit in the trees below.

Mostly it was a lovely paddle, with great reflections and no one else on the river. The late-summer funk that you sometimes get on the Sturgeon was not particularly noticeable, although the water was pretty dark and dank.

Overall, a nice shakedown cruise with a super warm sun on my back while we waited for the local lakes to open up.