Day 4 of my SUP camping trip began a little later than usual. I was only planning another 14km route so I enjoyed a slower than usual breakfast, a 2nd cup of coffee and sat by the water for a while before packing up and setting off from my island campsite around 11am.
Day 4 SUP route: Stoney Lake to Lower Buckhorn via Burleigh Falls and Lovesick Lake
I would eventually be heading west through Burleigh Falls, into Lovesick Lake and finally to Lower Buckhorn by the end of the day, but Stoney is such a beautiful lake that you’re going to want to take the scenic route. I paddled along the east side of Juniper Island and made my way towards the north shore of Stoney, generally avoiding the main channel, and then traveled west. Rounding Horseshoe Island I found a quiet and deserted section of the lake. There is at least a kilometer of undeveloped shore and a number of cottage-free islands. The sign I found on one of the islands suggest that it is camping friendly:
A camping friendly island towards the north west end of Stoney Lake
Burleigh Falls, just around the corner at this point, is another popular stop along Highway 28. I stopped for a swim at the base of the rapids, before heading through Lock 28.
Lock 28 in Burleigh Falls is a big one. I was not feeling like a portage, so I paid $10.80 for a lock pass and sat in comfort on my board as the lock lazily lifted me up 7 or more meters to Lovesick Lake. According to the lock operators I was the first one to ever pass this lock on a SUP. They took my picture as I passed, hoping to put in on the Parks Canada website.
Lock 28 – Burleigh Falls, definitely worth the lock pass fee to avoid the portage
I made my way to Lock #30 at the western end of Lovesick Lake, the smallest lock in the system, rising just over a meter, and I wasn’t planning on going any further but the portaging efforts of my first day were now well behind me and I was feeling like I really should go a little further each day. I left my gear at the lock and set off into a powerful headwind to explore Lower Buckhorn Lake.
Lower Buckhorn Lake
Lower Buckhorn is definitely worth exploring! It is a beautiful lake, dotted with islands and, at least the eastern end, isn’t as developed as most lakes in the area. The non-operational Wolf Island Provincial Park separates Lovesick and Lower Buckhorn to the north and camp sites are available on a first-come-first-served basis. I had planned to camp in the Park but the allure of running water and a picnic table won me over on that day and I set up camp next to the lock.
Also of interest here by the lock is a canoe/kayak ramp built by the local cottagers association to make for the easiest portage ever!
An ingenious canoe and kayak roller/ramp between Lovesick Lake and Lower Buckhorn
…and with the tale of any camping trip you might want to ask “So how were the mosquitoes?”. Well, I’m glad I asked. They weren’t bad except somehow this happened to the back of my left arm:
Had I slept with my arm against or outside of the mosquito netting? I have no idea! The rest of me was fine…
Tomorrow would be by far my longest day yet. I would travel at least 30km on day 5 of my SUP camping trip, most of it into a headwind…
Happy paddling!
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