Mayatan Lake

In late April, we had our first hot day and so we headed out to Mayatan Lake. The lake was open and deserted. The launch was easy but there was a bit of slime at the entry (had to scrub it off of the boats when we got home) so we made sure to get in dry footed.

There were a lot of birds in the western basin, including loons and coots. There were no weeds this early and the water was quite murky still (usually clears up by summer).

Otherwise, the only thing of note is a new lodge just south of the passage from the western basin into the eastern. The beavers have really done a number on the trees in behind it.

The passage was open and navigable. There was six to eight includes of water all the way through.

The exception was at the very east end (picture below) where the bottom comes up (I suspected a buried log) and there was only 3 inches of water. We bum-scooted over this. I'm not sure what this means for later in the year if there is no rain and the lake level starts to drop.

Lots of birds in the eastern basin and the noise from the frogs was insane.

We had lunch floating in the eastern basin and then paddled back to the launch. 

Overall, this was a lovely morning. Bright sun, 20 degrees, and no bugs!

Mayatan Lake

In late June, I took a neighbour out to Mayatan Lake to try kayaking after work. The launch was busy with a group of canoeists as well as some folks dropping in fishing boats.

The water in the western basin was in great shape and we had a lovely paddle around.

 

We saw about 12 beavers out and about, including a bunch kits.

We decided we'd try the eastern basin. I had heard the channel was impassable earlier in the spring due to the water level being low.

It was possible to get through and I only scraped once, near the eastern end.

The eastern basin was very slimy right at the edge.

Things cleared up as we got into deeper parts.

Overall, a nice paddle and good place to learn. Coming back, he was paddling like a pro!

Mayatan Lake

On the August long weekend, we popped out to Mayatan Lake. I see google has finally marked the boat launch but, if you need them, fuller directions are in this older post.

We got out at about 9 am, figuring the boat launch would be busy on a long weekend. There were a few cars here and maybe four kayaks on the lake. The parking area was starting to fill up as we left around 11.

This is basically what you get in both basins of Mayatan: clear water, weedy bottom, reeds on the edge immediately giving way to aspen forest. It is a bit swamper in the eastern basin than the western.

The water level was quite low this spring and the channel between the two halves was apparently tricky earlier in the year. The June rain seemed to have sorted that out and we had no problem passing through it.

The bottom is sandy but mostly weed covered. There were lots of fish and one jumped into the sidewall of my wife's kayak (first time I ever saw that happen!).

The day got quite hot as we paddled around the eastern half and had lunch in the boats.

There were a fair few loons and some ducks. There were also two heron (and maybe a many as four--hard to say) who were unhappy we were interrupting their hunting.

The lake smelled better than it has the last couple of times (no septic smell going past the cabins).

Overall, a nice easy paddle. It looks like they are improving the road between Mink Lake and Star Lake, which is good news.

Mayatan Lake

At the end of June, we ventured out to Mayatan Lake for a quick paddle. The entry point can be a bit tricky to find so I have put details instructions in this post.

The lake looked up a bit this year over last (it has been raining a lot) and the boat launch was deserted when we got there. It got busier later in the day, but there is a fair amount of parking. Entry was clean and easy.

We paddled the perimeter of both halves of the lake and bird watched. A bald eagle soared above us for about 10 minutes. Then three pelicans cruised over the lake.

There were lots of loons with chicks, terns were diving, and we watched a raven get chased by dozens of red-winged black birds.

In the eastern half of the lake, we went under the power lines and paddled the shallow south bay (where I haven't been before).

It was very calm and very hot by the time we pulled out at about 11 am.

The reedy passage between the two halves was in good shape--lots of clearance and we watched a pontoon boat negotiate it.

As usual, a very nice, clean paddle with lots to look at. We had lunch at Star Lake (which was crazy busy) because that is where the nearest public washrooms are (which my wife described as "grim").

Mayatan Lake

Took the family out to Mayatan Lake in late August. The water was a bit lower than in the spring but still very clear.

We had a beautiful sunny day for it. Probably Jess's longest paddle board of the summer and my 30th paddle the year (which was my goal).

The narrows between the two halves of the lake were interesting but very shallow and smelled terrible.

The water was super clear and we checked out the underwater passages to the beaver dam on the east lake.

I didn't get a picture but saw what I think was an osprey.

Crazy clear water when lots of other lakes have algae warnings.

The parking lot was empty when we arrived but by noon it was filling out and there was even a momentary back-up at the boat launch.

A pretty good paddle on a nice lake. Would definitely go back.

Mayatan Lake

I had a chance to paddle Mayatan Lake in late June. The lake is located SW of Stony Plain. Getting there is a touch tricky. 

I came off Highway 16, turned south on Highway 770 (the Carvel Turn), then west on Township Road 524 (turning at Mink Lake), then north at Range Road 25 (Star Lake), then west on Township Road 524A, then south on Range Road 30 into Mayatan Lake Estates. Setting your GPS to Mayatan Estates is probably the easiest option.

Once you are into Mayatan Estates, the boat launch is not marked and easy to miss (see green arrow above). There is a turnabout right at the edge of the lake with parking about 20 metres from the launch. The launch is gravel but easy to use and it was a clean entry.

The lake itself was very clear and you can see down at least 10 feet. There is a slight septic smell just south of the launch (probably leaking from a cabin) but the rest of the lake was fine.

The two halves of the lake are connected with a narrow (7 feet?) channel that is also very hallow. Lots of birds in here and a fun paddle.

The lake shore is almost 100% reeds (except on the south shore of the east half where there is some sort of private camp underneath the power transmission lines. It looks like people swim in the lake (there are deeper portions). Lots of interesting bays to explore. The shoreline is maybe 6 or 7 km around and took me under 2 hours at a stately pace.

I saw a fair bit of wildlife (e.g., angry loons, terns fishing, terns being chased by red-winged black birds) and some beaver. The clear water shows how the beavers have dug deeper channels so they can get out of the lodges after the lake freezes.

Overall, this was a nice paddle. I was there early to beat the heat and the lake was empty. Nearby Star Lake was pretty busy with people fishing at the same time.