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.

The creek is about 50 feet wide and about 2km end-to-end (the reed beds make it hard to know when you are out in the lakes proper).

When you enter the campground, you just follow the road and there are six or so entry points like this one. This was the first we came to and had a picnic table and some sketchy pit toilets. Parking is right across the road from the entry and it is a gentle slope into the water. 

We paddled east out into the lake. I'd say that the water levels are down some, based on where the reeds are. It was overcast and still when we started.

As were got out onto the lake it started to clear and the wind picked up. We took a tour of the western part of the lake and then ground our way back to the creek against the wind. Lots of bird life, including pelicans.

 

Back in the creek, we were bushed but pushed towards the western end to see the other lake. 

Lots of nice reflections and birds but kind of a meh paddle. The water was murky and it was also a bit disinteresting 8km paddle. We then decided to drive to Rochon Sands to see what that was like. Cute summer village and a larger provincial campground. There was a good beach area with toilets, picnic tables, a playground and about a 300-foot carry from the car.

The water here (like at Boss Hill) is very shallow (people were hip deep more than a hundred feet from shore) and the edge of the water was a touch green (you could step over that). It was windy as hell here!

There is also a boat launch accessible from the campground where you can drop right beside the water and park in behind.

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. 

Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area

In mid-September, I took trip down to Red Deer and detoured east to Buffalo Lake. Since we were coming from the north, we decided to try the Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area on the NE corner. We also could have launched from Pelican Point.

The recreation area (also called Boss Hill locally) has a campground (pit toilets, no power or water, playground) and a beautiful beach. Access was easy--we could drive up to the edge of the beach and then carry maybe 50 feet to the water. It was pretty dead in mid-September but the park website said the day-use areas fills up in the summer.

The lake is sandy and shallow here. in the photo above, I'm 50 feet from the beach and ankle deep. In the phot below, I'm 100 feet offshore and maybe to my knee. The lake does have swimmers itch.

We paddled west and follow the south side of the island for awhile. It was lovely (+26 and calm) and there was little boat traffic as it was quite shallow here.

Basically you get beach, grass, and trees.

We saw a few birds, including a heron.

The east side of the lake is reedy as is the north side.

On our way back, we saw a pair of bald eagles in a tree.

Overall, a lovely beach and nice paddle. Maybe a bit boring? Going south might have provided a bit more shoreline interest. There are lots of other entry points for this lake, including White Sands, Rochon Sands and the Narrows on the south shore. Maybe next time!