In early September, I dropped in on the Northeast River Valley Park that opened in 2023. The park has a small lake and a channel to explore. You can probably get a boat in just about anywhere but the official launch is about a 250m carry from the main parking lot, across a bridge and down a hill. The picture below looks back at the pavilion from the launch.
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Northeast River Valley Park
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Lac Ste. Anne, West Cove launch
Cancelled plans led to a sunset paddle at Lac Ste Anne in early September. The weather was a bit unsettled when we drove out, so we put in at the West Cove launch, thinking we could shelter from any wind behind Farming Island.
Saturday, February 8, 2025
East Pit Lake
In early September, I hauled my boat down to East Pit Lake. Access to East Pit requires carrying the boat over 1000 feet from the parking lot with a pretty significant elevation change, so generally I end up going here on my own with my kayak riding on my head.
Saturday, February 1, 2025
First Chain Lake (Ponoka)
In late August, we found ourselves in Red Deer. After a night in a motel on the dodgy side of Gasoline Alley (every hotel in town was, somehow, full???), we headed for home and stopped at the First Chain Lake, just east of Ponoka on our way. Access is on the east side of the lake, coming down Range Road 250 from the north, take the right fork down to the water.