Kayaking on Nanton Lake, BC

We went on a kayak day trip paddling on Nanton Lake last week with our good friends Dave and Marg. They were trying out their new sit on top Big Tuna double Jackson Kayak. Wayne and I were in our older Current Designs double we lovingly call the Big Yellow Banana.

Nanton is one of a chain of lakes in the Powell River area. It links to nearby Horseshoe Lake by a wide river, and is part of the Powell River Canoe Forest Route.

Osprey nest on left snag reflecting in the calm waters of Nanton Lake.

We paddled around the south shoreline on our way to Horseshoe. In a side bay, there's small island. When they dammed Horseshoe Lake to raise the water level, trees died leaving tall snags.

On top of one of the snags is an active osprey nest. The bundle of sticks at the top makes it look like a giant mushroom.

The birds flew off as we paddled by, but remained in the area. That probably meant there were young birds still in the nest.

We stopped at a beach on Horseshoe Lake for a snack break. Western Forest Products, a local logging company, corralled many of the floating logs that caused huge log jams on the lake, but as you can see, there are plenty more that will start floating after the winter rains raise the water level.

We had a great paddle, and stayed to camp overnight. Western Forest Products maintains the Nanton Lake Forest Campground, and offers it free for locals and visitors alike. -- Margy