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| Joe's Lake, Lanark Highlands |
For 2021, my last paddle was on November 9 on the Mississippi River above CR511. And a few days earlier (November 5), I was out in Lanark Highlands for a paddle on Joe’s Lake and the Clyde River. Last year, I had paddled and explored some of the headwaters of the Clyde River (e.g. Widow Lake). I wanted to finish paddling that section of the Clyde River on this trip, including Joe’s Lake.
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Today, I decided to start my trip in Joe’s Lake and paddle upriver. The public launch for Joe’s Lake is across the road from the baseball diamond. Once on the lake, I started paddling the lake clockwise, following the shore. It was a bit cool but a beautiful sunny day, as seen in the pics.
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| Joe's Lake (nov 5, 2021) |
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Next year, I would like to try and paddle sections of the Clyde River below Joe’s Lake (probably by canoe is best). So, I had a good look at the bridge and rapids at the east end of the lake. As I paddled along the shore, I observed a small group of mixed ducks on the lake (Ring-necked and Bufflehead Ducks). A bit later, when I was slightly upriver from Joe’s Lake, I observed a Bald Eagle in the area. Once I got to the dam, I made a U-turn and paddled back to the launch point (baseball diamond).
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After a short break, I drove and re-launched the Widgeon above the dam and continued my paddle upriver. Although I didn’t spot much in terms of wildlife, I like this marshy stretch of the Clyde River. About halfway to the K&P trail, you go under the Clyde Forks’ bridge – a very unique-looking bridge. After the bridge, it’s about 800m to the north-south “T” junction of the Clyde River. Widow Lake is to the north. To the south, you have a few more kilometers of navigable waters and marshes.
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The upper Clyde River and Widow Lake are areas where I should try paddling in early spring some year (e.g. April or early May).
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| It's almost time to put the kayak away for the winter! |
