Each year, when we hang up the paddles for the year, we look back on where we have been and where we want to go.
One place that is local and has been on our must-paddle list is Old Canoe Island on Beaver Lake. 🛶
Right in our backyard
We paddled Beaver Lake once when the wind wasn’t in our favour for Lac La Biche and the waves were huge!. We stayed in the north bay in front of the Holowachuk and Young’s Beach subdivisions; checking out the beautiful homes and cottages lined up along the developed part of the lake.
Sunday, July 3 was Old Canoe Island Day. Our first canoe trip exploring Beaver Lake. We met up fairly early and were on the lake by 9:30am. We launched from the Beaver Lake Provincial Park and headed southeast. With the wind coming from the northeast across the lake, we kept a pretty steady pace across the lake. Weather is a bit unpredictable lately, and “Against the Wind” isn’t our top choice paddling song. 😒
This lake is very pristine. Once past the provincial campground and the other campground/sites on the north shore, there was nothing but wilderness around us. As it was early in the day, there were minimal other boaters out.
We passed two smaller islands and in no time we approached Old Canoe Island. We came up and circled the island from the south in a counterclockwise direction. It’s very pretty. The lake shallows quite a bit and is super clear. The bottom is sandy, and you can see the ripples in the sand caused by the waves over time. The shoreline varying from fluffy tamarack, to tall grasses, white birch, some light reed beds and even a sandbar on the east side.
There were a few birds on the lake. A couple of pelicans and we had two loons hang out and let us take their picture.
We beached on the northeast side for a stop for a stretch. It was a perfect spot for a snack and hydration break. The point was very sandy. Surprisingly, there were wild strawberries growing all over on the sand flat bench. Very tall grasses, a few young white birch and spruce trees, and a circle of fire pit stones made up the rest.
Once we started our paddle back, the slight breeze from earlier almost stopped. The sky was clear, just like the sage green tinted water. We paddled close to shore on the trip back. There are beautiful long stretches of silver-leaved willows along a few sections.
Most of the shoreline has a berm if rocks; mainly uniform cobble size with some boulders mixed in occasionally. Unfortunately, there were few spots perfect for rock picking. We did spy one rock which was on the bank that had split into flat layers. We grabbed a few chunks for future projects. 😉
As we came closer to the campground areas in the Provincial park, jet skis and power boats were cruising the lake. Lots of people and dogs enjoying the beach and water.
For this remaining section of our paddle, we paid attention to the wakes and waves, glad to get to our take-out point. 🚤🌊
We got off the lake around 2:30pm, making a four-hour paddle. Calm water and a light breeze with very few clouds in the sky. Truly an enjoyable canoe.
Marvin, our trusty new canoe, was the perfect vessel to head to Old Canoe Island in. The steady, about 50% effort, had Marvin up to 15 min per km. He is fast and smooth. We find the Clipper easy to pack, a dream to handle and super quick. Our average kilometre times have dropped from 21 minutes per km to 15! And…we are just playing; not even trying hard.
Beaver Lake was a very scenic canoe trip, and it made our need to “re-visit” list. Exploring the south side’s varied, staggered edge of coves, shallow peninsulas and another stop on old canoe island will be the plan. ☀️🛶
If anyone knows the history of Old Canoe Island, or how it got its name, we would love to find out. Drop us a note at jenniebeen@gmail.com. We would love to share the local lore.
