Many people packed up their boards and paddling gear at the end of the August long weekend. Some, like me, added a few layers to their gear pile, swapped a few items in the dry bags to enjoy fall’s glorious paddle season.
There are few things I enjoy more than autumn paddling. The feel of the crisp air while taking in fall vistas from the deck of my stand-up paddle board. The flocks of migrating birds set against a blue sky or landing in formation on the water in front of me.
Pulling the board onto a small beach of a distant shoreline to forage for ripening berries or a perfect mushroom spotted through the trees. It’s quieter everywhere–people, paddlers and boats.
I had purposely held off on paddling Annie Lake through the summer. I was eager to catch it with the fall colours spread across the mountain slopes that flank its shoreline.
Every year, I make sure to venture out to the Watson/Wheaton Valley to be wowed by the vibrancy of the autumn foliage and the vertical expanse of the mountains at the valley’s south end. This time, I enjoyed its majesty from the waters of Annie Lake.
Annie made it worth the wait. Hours into the outing, I paddled into its central bay where I became part of its noon-time activity. I stopped paddling to enjoy the show as I floated on the still water.
An eagle perched atop a flattened spruce tree on the island to my right. A loon dove down and popped up in front of my board and swam alongside me; diving, grooming, swimming and calling.
A solo trumpeter swan flew in making its call and landed close by. Four river otters played nearby; heads peaked out water, backs curled above the water’s surface before submerging.
Another loon called from across the lake. A second bald eagle flew by. The island eagle flew past me to join it. Soon they become two white dots moving past the aspen-rich autumn-speckled slopes of the mountain.
It was 40 minutes before I picked up my paddle and made my way down to the south eastern tip of the lake.
After Annie Lake, friends arrived from B.C. to join me for the 50 Lakes project wrap-up: heading west to paddle the final few lakes and hit the official 50 lake tally.
Our little group of five started on Kathleen Lake, within the Kluane National Park & Reserve (KNPR), then headed to Dezadeash and Yukon’s largest lake, the spectacular Kluane.
Let me say that the Yukon truly rolled out the majesty for us. The mountainous backdrops along with the vibrant colours made every landscape view an overwhelm of richness and beauty.
Our visitors, hailing from B.C.’s west coast and mountain towns of Whistler and Squamish were blown away.
We finished our trip at Pine Lake. Possibly less majestic than KNPR, but no less stunning. We enjoyed an evening paddle; explored the creeks and marsh area then toasted on the dock to celebrate the 50th lake paddled.
We settled into the campground for the night and enjoyed the show of the Harvest Moon and the Northern Lights. It was an easy trip to host. The Yukon did all the work, I was just along for the ride.
Heading home from Kluane after the celebration of the final lake was bittersweet. I will miss the where next? moment that came after each paddle. The wonder of what joy and surprises the next lake would bring.
It was still not time to pack up the paddle board. The following weekend, I headed to the Southern Lakes area and enjoyed some quiet rainy paddles on Bennett and Nares lakes, the southern end of Windy Arm on Tagish Lake and across the B.C. border to Tutshi and Bernard Lake at Fraser.
As the first snow landed overnight in Whitehorse, I headed back to Schwatka; the first lake to shed its ice back in April. It’s the lake where my project began, which now feels like a long time ago.
Laying the paddle on my board, I floated for a while, grateful for it all. For a summer full of magical moments. You know those moments… when you are overwhelmed by the beauty of a Yukon landscape.
When you’re blown away that it exists in our backyard and in every direction. And is accessible to us all year round.
Soon there will be no more open water. In a few short weeks, our lakes will start freezing over. The air and water temperatures will turn colder. The shorelines will be too icy to launch.
Until then, I will keep my board close at hand, try to fit in a final autumn paddle and imagine the adventures of the next paddle season. It’s time to think about what magical moments are in store for the winter season ahead and what’s up next.
More from the 50 Lakes series
Taagish Méné (Tagish Lake)
Łʼèx Hîni Shâk Âyi (Rose Lake)
Chu Cho (‘Big Water’) — Little Salmon Lake
Dòon Chúu — Fisheye Lake
A Lake With A Big Sky Vibe
Äshèyi Mǟn
Nekhų Män/ Kùsawu.â (Kusawa Lake): The Locals’ Favourite
Great Things Can Come in Small Packages
Things Are Really “#$@!” Up!
A Slow Start
The Thrill Of The Seasonal (Gear) Swap
