The
bucket list, most know the movie, and most people have such a list of things to
do or places to go.
I
have been paddling for almost 50 years now and have done and seen some amazing
things on the water. I have won
National titles in both whitewater and sprint canoeing. I have trained, competed against,
paddled with and have been friends with the best in the world both racing and
recreational paddlers.
I
have paddled many great rivers and waters around the world. I have paddled some great first descents
and rapids that are on many peoples list such as the Skookumchuck Narrows in BC. And have paddled among
huge icebergs in Newfoundland/Labrador.
There
are many places I would like to go, but there is one that has been on the
“list” for a long time and this will shock a lot of people that know “paddling”
me.
We
take you back to 1976, fastest in the Country in Downriver racing and most of
my paddling is leaning to the “big” side of the scale.
We
were traveling to the Nationals in Alberta when just to the west of Marathon
Ontario, Highway 17, the Trans Canada makes a fairly sharp turn to the west
around a small Boreal lake, nestled into a beautiful mountain setting. The threatening clouds and darkening
skies added to the depth and beauty of this lake.
Right
then and there, I said I had to paddle this lake!
I
have been to Northern Ontario many times since then but had not been able to
stop and paddle here for a variety of reasons.
So
this year I knew we where going up to Northern Ontario for two weeks at the end
of July so the plan was to definitely go and paddle this pretty little Boreal
lake named “Wolf Camp Lake” on the maps.
Not
much has changed on this lake from when I first saw it except there is now a
microwave tower on top of the big hill at the north end. There is a little dirt road that
follows the east shore but you don’t really see it from the lake.
Access
is really easy as there is a turn off and parking area right beside the lake
when you get off the highway and there is little sign that it gets used very
much and there are no camps or cottages on the lake.
So
for 39 years this lake has been in the back of my mind, that I should paddle
it, why? I don’t know, but I will Share with you what I found.
Once
we were ready to paddle and the boat was off and on the edge of the lake we
gave a gift of tobacco to Mother Earth and the Lake.
My
paddling roots run very deep in Northern Ontario, my Father worked on the
Algoma Central railway after WWII and was partnered with a First Nations member
who taught him paddle and bush skills, which has led to my life long love affair
with paddling, so this gesture was more than appropriate.
As
we move through the reeds to open water an Eagle circled overhead and cried
out…. Very cool indeed.
My
wife Anne joined me for this pilgrimage, since I have been talking about this
lake since we took the kids up for the Sault – Thunderbay loop 20 years ago.
We
paddled along the east shore heading north, there was a small little island and
the shoreline rises gently for a short distance then raised very steeply
helping give that lake in the mountains effect.
There
was a nice wind blowing, not too strong, but enough to keep the bugs at bay as
we slowly made our way along the shore.
When we got to the north shore there was a tiny lagoon with a small
stream flowing in and we were given this terrific view looking towards Hwy. 17
This
end of the lake was definitely the “high end” beach strip.
This
end of the lake has a little turn in it and you only hear the sounds of the
wind as we paddled in some more reeds.
As
you paddle south, along the west shore, the cliffs rise right out of the lake.
It
is beautifully rugged and it feels you are being watched from the hills.
Looking
at the eastern hills and shore.
Another
small stream enters the lake towards the south end.
Looking
north from the southwest shore.
I hope you enjoyed paddling around this pretty little lake with us.
So
what did I find?
A
beautiful peaceful place to paddle on one of Northern Ontario’s Boreal lakes.
What
did I expect to happen?
That
I don’t know, in the beginning there was just whisper in the back of my head
that I should paddle there, but there where no visions or secret messages.
There
was though a great sense of peace and relaxation, but that I have felt whenever
I paddle and camp.
So
maybe that is the message to share what I have found so others and also find
these wonderful places.
Wolf
Camp Lake, if you go here or any other special place to you, make sure you
leave it for others as you found it.
Jeff McColl
Link to my Northern Album 2015.
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