Astotin Lake

In late April, work took us out past Elk Island Park. On the way back, we stopped at Astotin Lake to have dinner and see whether the ice was out. It was!

The main beach was clean and, miraculously, there wasn't too much wind. We decided to drive to the boat launch to avoid the long carry.  

The water level was low, which exposed big rocks right at the surf line. We would have been better off going off the beach. These rocks were a major pain last year as well and make the boat launch tricky to use, especially if you are coming hot with the wind behind you.

The water was the usual iced tea colour, and there was already hint of green in the foam.

We paddled along the north edge of the lake and watched this raven hassle a bunch of geese trying to nest on this little peninsula. It is usually too windy to paddle this part of the lake so it was nice to see a different part.

Eventually, the sun started to come out and the little bit of wind stopped.

We took a loop around this rocky island (probably a glacial moraine) and there was still snow in the shady part. There were lots of water fowl plus a heron with very nice blue plumage.

 

We then paddled over the High Island where all of the ice was washed up on the shore.

This picture gives you a bit of scale for the ice shelf that was left.

We were a bit tired after a long day of work so we watch the birds for a bit and then headed back.

Overall, the water quality was better than usual. The last couple of summers have been super green. It was nice to be out on a lake again and we saw a huge number of bison foraging on the shoulders of the road on our way home.

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.

Astotin Lake

In late May, we ventured out to Elk Island.The family wanted to hike and see the frog chorus going on. I brought a boat to try my luck at Astotin Lake. As is often the case, there was a stiff breeze. Not quite white caps but the waves were 12- to 18-inches off the main beach (not go picture because I was busy paddling).

It looks like the canoe rentals are again a go and there is also a permanent snack shack and other improvements over my last trip out. While I launched off the main beach, the boat launch (below) has been redone since my last visit (the annoying wooden walls have been removed and the lunch is much more functional).

I tacked to the south to try to get over into the lee of the islands along the south shore.

Things were much calmer here and there were a lot of gulls and ducks and such.

I puttered around for awhile, hopping from island to island and avoiding most of the waves.

After an hour or so, there was no sign of the wind abating so I tacked back to the main beach. It was a fairly wet trip with spray. Not the roughest I've been out on Astotin, but getting there. 

Several other folks pulled up with boats but only one couple decided to try their luck. A lovely visit otherwise with a huge herd of bison visible on the way back.

Astotin Lake

In mid-September I took an afternoon paddle on Astotin Lake in Elk Island National Park.  It had been a few years since I've been out here to paddle.

 

The Park has continued to upgrade its facilities and there is now some kind of snack bar (weekends, it looks like) at the beach. The dock was also nice and there are boat rentals to be had. I went off of the beach instead of the boat launch and it was a touch green getting in!

The water further form shore was the usual iced-tea colour and the water level looked higher this year than in the past by several feet.

I paddle out to the island in front of the beach and then wound my way through the islands on the south half of the lake.

It was a rare calm day on the lake and I had it to myself mid-week.

I ran across a young coyote hunting on the shoreline of the large island in the SW corner of the lake. I watched him for about 10 minutes before he noticed me.

Getting out without putting a foot in the algae was entertaining (well, for those watching!).

Overall, a lovely trip just as the colour was starting to change. I also saw a bison and a tonne of waterfowl flocking up for migration.

Astotin Lake

A few weeks back we were out at Astotin Lake in Elk Island National Park for a bit of camping and paddling. The weather was amazing (+30).

The best news was that the main beach had been cleaned up and was lovely to launch from. The water level looked higher than in recent years and the canoe, kayak, and paddle board rental place was doing a booming business (30+ boats on the water at all times).

There were even people swimming the lake. I've never seen this, although photos from the 1960s and 1970s suggest it was once a big thing. The boat launch to the north of the beach was also in good shape and there were also folks launching from here.

Some smoke started to roll in by the time we got on the water but the kayaking was great. Lots of wildlife.

We staying the campground and, having booked in the spring, manage to snag one of these tent cabins.

The site included a screened in picnic table, fire pit and four adirondack chairs (out of frame to right). The tent was nice and even had a heater (unnecessary for us!).

The boardwalk around the pond has been replaced and there was lots of wildlife to see..

The smoke also made for interesting visual effects, including very red-orange sunsets and sun-rises

Astotin Lake

We went Astotin Lake at Elk Island Park last weekend for a paddle. The park was crazy busy (free entry this year coupled with a nice day). There are almost 50 cars with boats on top by the time we left and they were also renting canoes and kayaks on the beach.

Jenn and Jess had a nice paddle while I rode in from the main gate. Jenn got shat upon by a pelican and the wind was just picking up as they were coming back in. It got rougher as I went out and I took a wave over the bow deck and into my lap!

Even with the chop, there were some nice sheltered bays to the north and south of the beach. Lots of birds including pelicans.

There were also voyageur canoes on the water for a bit. 

And the new boat launch was busy. We just carried to the beach as a beach launch is easier.

We finished the trip off with a picnic, a hike, and an ice cream cone from the food truck that was out there.

Overall, a wonderful trip (pelican poop notwithstanding).