Pyramid Lake

In late May, we took a trip to Jasper and paddled Pyramid Lake. This was our first time back since last summer's fire. Pyramid was, happily, unaffected by the fire. It was a bit overcast that day, but it was a nice paddle nonetheless.

We went in off the Pyramid Lake Beach on the south shore of the lake. We launched from the main beach (this just seems the most convenient to me) but there is also a proper boat launch, if that is your jam. 

There were pit toilets, garbage cans, and picnic tables. We went clockwise around the lake (left off the beach).

The skies were very dramatic and we had a slight tailwind down the lake. There was good dusting of snow on the mountains behind us.

Jenn managed to fish out someone's ice gripper as well as this hat that somehow got tangled up way high on this stump. 

We also cleaned up someone's bush party. We didn't stop for lunch on the beach in the north end because its as too cool. The area near the outflow was also closed to let the loons nest in eace.

The sun tries to come out:

We did follow this goose family for a bit.

The water looked a bit high to sneak under the bridge to Pyramid Island so we looped around. I forgot (again) that there is a debris field off the far side of the island and managed to hang myself up on some rocks when I got too close to shore. At least there wasn't a bus load of tourists watching... this time.

The lodge had a huge selection of kayaks, canoes, and boards to rent and the beach here is also good launch point.

Overall, a blustery paddle but very nice. Super happy that the fire didn't get up into this part of the park.

Pyramid Lake

We paddled Pyramid Lake in Jasper in late September. You can access the lake at the Pyramid Lake Lodge beach (which has a nice dock) or just past the Pyramid Island parking lot. We usually use the Pyramid Beach Park launch (it is the nicest), with a pit toilet, picnic tables, good parking, and lovely, gentle beach launch.

We went left of the beach and followed the shoreline around the lake. It's about a 90-minute to 2-hour paddle. There are creeks that come in and sometimes we've seen animals along the shore.

About half way around is this nice sandy beach where we stopped to have lunch.

We then paddled down to the outflow.

And then back towards Pyramid island. You can either paddle around the island or duck and go under the bridge.

We finished with a paddle past the lodge docks and a nice landing back at the beach.

This is a really nice, family friendly paddle unless it is windy (and then it sucks). In the past, we've combined it with a paddle on nearby Patricia Lake. You can also rent kayaks and canoes from the Lodge, which is handy.

Pyramid Lake, Jasper

Our last paddle in Jasper this year was Pyramid Lake (on a cloudy morning). We launched from Pyramid Lake Beach on the southwest corner (beach, pit toilets, picnic tables--maybe a 30-foot carry). You can rent boats from the Pyramid Resort on the southwest corner and also launch from there. And you can (sort of) get in just past the parking lot for Pyramid Island 

We circled the lake clockwise, with very calm water in the morning. There are a couple of creeks and we saw a lot of birds and a weasel. 

At the east end of the lake, there is an outflow under a bridge (not navigable). The area leading up to the creek looks like a lovely sandy bottom. It is not. There is a sandy-colours layer of slime and then a seemingly bottomless layer of black goo. If you want to get out here, find a rocky part of the bottom.

Usually we come back around Pyramid Island but Jess wanted to try to sneak under the bridge instead. You like could not do this in a canoe very easily. But we managed in kayaks.

A nice paddle to wrap up our Jasper trip.

Pyramid Lake, Jasper

Pyramid Lake offers a very pleasant half-day of paddling in Jasper. Located about 10 minutes north of Jasper on Pyramid Lake Road, the lake has three good access points as well as a lovely island to explore. The lake is about 2 miles long and about half a mile wide.

The easiest access point is the dock in front of the Coast Pyramid Lake Resort pictured on a rainy autumn day below. There is ample public parking here and you used to be able to rent canoes, but you'll want to double check this service is still offered.

If you continue down the road past the hotel, you will come to Pyramid Island which can be accessed over the bridge pictured below. This is a very nice walk but you can also approach the island by boat.

You cannot get a boat under this bridge so you will need to go around the north side of the island to get into the bay pictured below. Mind the rocks at the northern tip of the island. If there is a strong westernly wind, it can also be tricky to return around the north side of the island once you are east of it. A short portage is likely easier than fighting a stiff wind while avoiding the rocks.

A bit further up the road is a turnabout with a boat ramp you can also launch from. The road terminates here for vehicles but you can walk or cycle further along. This point allows easier access to the eastern part of the lake and the photo below is shot from Pyramid Island. To the east there is an outlet that eventually dumps into the Athabasca.

My preferred launch point is a small park accessed on the left side of the road just before you can see the hotel and its docks. There is a boat launch here but it is nicest to go off the beach.

The beach has a nice picnic area and you can swim if you're brave or it is really hot!

This beach is on the west side of the lake and there is a small stream that enters just to the north of the beach that can be fun for kids to muck about in. The sandbar pictured above moves and changes depending on the year. We've also seen a fair bit of wildlife on the west side of the lake (elk, moose, heron). A nearby paddle is Patricia Lake and the two (interspersed by lunch) make for a nice day if the weather cooperates.