Went canoeing last weekend. First time this year.
I took a little paddle into Goose Lake which is basically an extension of Mohun Lake. The two bodies of water are connected by a narrows crossed by the rotting pylons of two old logging bridges. They put me in mind of the ruins of an ancient gate.
Once you get through them, you’re into Goose Lake which is a very different body of water from Mohun Lake.
Mohun is the biggest lake in the Sayward Forest Canoe Route. It’s one of the access points for canoeists doing that route. That’s because there’s a nice boat ramp adjacent to Morton Lake Provincial Park which is a good place to camp if you’re travelling from afar to canoe the circuit.
Morton Lake is a lovely place to camp in its own right and you have access to tiny Morton and it’s nice little day-use beach or you can carry your canoe to Mohun and paddle the bigger lake. The fishing’s better in Mohun, although I’ve had fun with the little ones in Morton. However, I should warn you that getting fishing recommendations from me would be like getting expense account advice from Mike Duffy – not very reliable.
Gooseneck Lake is fun to paddle because it has a deeply convoluted shoreline of bays, inlets and narrows as well as some little islands. It’s great for exploring by canoe.
There always seems to be a pair of loons in each of these lakes and last Saturday was no exception. I just love to here their ululating calls. Magical.
At the northern end of it is the beginning of the portage to Twin Lake which further links to Amour Lake by another portage. The Sayward Canoe Circuit is a great trip if you like the local outdoors and canoeing.
And speaking of local gems. If you haven’t already, you should check out Willow Point Reef. The lowest tide of the year so far uncovered the length of the finger of rock poking into Discovery Passage. See my pictures on page A31.
I’ve written about before but it never fails to amaze me. You’re basically getting a look at the undersea world. It’s well worth a visit. And kids love it.
Only certain times of the year does the tide go low enough that you can get right out to the end of the reef. It’s a bit slippery on the rocks what with all the seaweed and stuff, so be careful. I find that really bright seaweed (sea lettuce, I believe it’s called) is the slipperiest, so try to walk around it.
I try to watch where I walk, too, because you’re basically treading on living creatures. They’re hard to avoid but I try my best. I noticed Monday that there’s large patches of tiny mussels. They’re like an inch or less in length and carpet whole areas on the rock. They and the barnacles crunch under your foot so I try to find bare rock or just seaweed-covered rocks to walk.
Another magical place.