The topo map view shows where our journey started at A. Our plan was to head west to Talon Chutes, but the slushy ice-pellets we were paddling in turned into thicker ice at point B and we decided to change direction and head under the tunnel at point C.
We bumped in more ice in the small bay south of Hwy 17, but were able to skirt around it and find a nice sunny spot for lunch. John steadied the canoe as I climbed out from the stern.
We enjoyed the warmth of the sun and our picnic lunch. A little tour around and we discovered a trail that had to be explored further.
The trail led through an area that had some evidence of logging and it meadered past a beautiful small pond.
The trail eventually led to a natural gas pipeline. The high point of the land gave us a terrific view of the surrounding territory.
John spotted a cool beaver dam, so we crossed it and explored further. The area south of the pipeline is an impressive wet land. The satelite photo shows the pipeline and marsh lands.
Point D is our sunny lunch spot. You can see the thin line of the trail leading to the cute pond at point E and the beaver dam located on the pipeline at point E.
We spotted this structure. Hunters apparently can spend hours sitting up there waiting to kill something. With our binoculars we were able to spot one furry creature about 300 metres away. I'm not sure what it was--a large ground hog perhaps.
We both enjoyed the walk out. The sun was warm and the snow was bright and crunchy.
It was great to get out for our first paddle. The boat looks good resting on the shore with the icy water in the background.
A super trip.
