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.

2024 wrap-up

I snuck in a few last paddles in November on the river to wrap up the 2024 season with 66 outings between March 17 and November 16. Overall, I think it was a pretty successful year.

I hit 22 new lakes this year, including some that I have been looking to knock off my to-do list for a long time.

We had some great trips (Waterton, Cypress Hills, Okanagan) that included paddling. Lake Kalamalka (by Vernon), Spruce Coulee Reservoir (by Medicine Hat), and Lower Waterfowl Lake (by Saskatchewan Crossing) were among my favourites.

I also created a more user-friendly Guide to Lakes.

Now onto 2025!

Muir Lake

Late last October, I popped out to Muir Lake for quick paddle at lunch. Temperatures had been consistently below freezing overnight and I found a fair bit of ice on arrival (the air was +3C), including about 20 feet out from the launch.

Fortunately, the ice was thin and easily broken by my foot and then the bow of the kayak. Once clear of that, there was just a bit of floating ice in the northern half of the lake.

There was also a good sheet of ice halfway down the lake, where it pinches together at the island.

Both sides of the island were frozen (you can see my paddle resting on the ice with the island in the background). I managed to push through to the open southern basin without too much trouble.

The reflections were great on the calm water and, by the time I was off, the ice was starting to break up in the sun and the rising temperatures.

This was a good reminder that the flat-water season was coming to an end (the North Saskatchewan was ice free) and also to get my skates sharpened up!

Hubbles Lake, North Shore Entry

In mid-October, I went to Hubbles Lake to find the public access through crown land (thanks to Bevin for the tip). The easiest access is on the east end through the Allen Beach Resort, but they charge a day-use fee, are only open in the high season, and sometimes restrict access.

While there is a public access point on the NE shore, there is no parking on the roadway within walking distance. You can, get in about half way down the lake (green arrow above, enter 17 Lakeview Avenue, Carvel, AB into your nav). You might snag one of the two parking spots or you can park on the side of the road.

The lake requires a 250m carry (blue arrow) along some ATV paths. It isn't a long carry but there are some challenges. There is a small valley and ridge right away.

Then at the top, there is a long, steep slope down to the lake. The picture below shows the first half of the descent, looking south towards the lake. Then the path turns east.

The picture below shows the second half of the descent looking north (from the bottom). It is steep and rutted, there are rocks and roots, and also slippery leaves. You'll want to wear good shoes.

At the bottom, there is a little dock (green arrow) that had been pulled for the season in the photo below. Entry was so-so.

The lake was nice. Small, mostly pretty clean, and empty on a Wednesday evening in October.

I did two laps in an hour and a bit and there was some lovely colour.

The Allen Beach resort is shown below.

The sun started to drop towards the cloud bank so I called it and headed back.

The climb back up with the boat on my head was tough. I made it in one go but was huffing a bit and my back was a touch sore the next day. Mostly the footing was just tricky and, of course, my arms were busy with the boat. This would likely be less challenging with two people carrying two boats.

Lac La Nonne, South Access

On the Thanksgiving weekend, we ventured up to Lac La Nonne and tried out the public boat launch at the very south end of the lake.

The launch has slippery cement ties plus room for a gravel launch on the right. There were pit toilets, picnic tables, lots of parking, and one of those older metal fire boxes (but no fire wood).

Most people had pulled their boats and docks so the lake was deserted until a few fishing boats ventured out after lunch.

We went right off the launch. The shoreline is as above: cabins, trees, and a bit weedy. There was also some late algae still hanging on.

We tried our luck  up the creek on the eastern edge but ran out of water after a few hundred feet so we turned around and made for the island on the eastern shore.

The light was flat and dull so the pictures are dreary. It was mostly a nice paddle with good colour.

We round the island and stopped for lunch on the water.

 

Having toured the eastern bay tot he north of the island we cut over to the western shore.

We followed the western shore back, watching people close down their cabins for the winter. 

All told, this was a so-so paddle. It was dreary and cold (which happens) and the lake, while calm, had a distinct algae-funk. The launch was so-so and it wasn't as nice as our paddle out of the north end last Thanksgiving (better weather). Overall, I probably wouldn't go back in the autumn. Thunder Lake is just a bit further north and is nicer.

North Saskatchewan River, Quesnel Bridge to Dawson Park

On the Thanksgiving weekend, we float through downtown Edmonton to take in the autumn colours.

We put in below the Quesnel Bridge and the river was super clear.

The water was at summer levels so no gravel bars and we made it to Dawson par in about 2 hours (maybe 14km?) with little paddling.

The river was weirdly empty for a long weekend. Maybe we were just a bit earlier than most folks but we saw only one other boat (beached) the whole trip.

The colours were great.

The water was also super calm the whole way (no upstream breeze).

We pulled out just below the Rowland Bridge at Dawson Park.

Overall, a pretty and quiet trip that was mostly unremarkable.