In early July, we put in at Crawling Valley Reservoir. The easiest access was at the Crawling Valley Campground on the SW corner, just a few kms north of Bassano and northwest of Brooks maybe 40 minutes. There was no fee to launch but there was a bit of paperwork at the main office (mostly trying to control the spread of invasives through an inspection).
Paddling Near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Crawling Valley Reservoir
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Lake Newell
In early July, we were headed to the Cypress Hills. We stopped at Brooks for gas and detoured about 12km south of town to Kinbrook Island Provincial Park on Lake Newell for lunch. The park is lovely, with lots of camping, a beach, food stand, toilets, etc. Friends who have worked here describe this as a bit of a party campground on the long weekends.
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Buffalo Lake, The Narrows and Rochon Sands
On Canada Day, we paddled Buffalo Lake again. Last year, we put it in the NE corner at Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area (also called Boss Hill). This year, we put in in the SW corner at the Narrows Provincial Recreation Area. The Narrows is a campground abutting (from what I can tell) Parlby Creek, which connect the main lake to the east with a small basin to the west.
Overall, nearby Haunted Lakes is probably nicer (albeit smaller). If I was in the area again, I'd try Dried Meat Lake or go west an hour or so to Sylvan Lake.
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Peanut Lake
At the end of June, I drove up towards Barrhead to try Peanut Lake. Peanut is a small lake (maybe 1.5km perimeter) and you could easily do two or three laps in an hour.
As much as I enjoy the paddle, I won't be back. Lac La Nonne and Thunder Lake are both very close by and offer much better paddling.
Saturday, September 14, 2024
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.