A loop route kayaking on the lake on a fine day, followed by hiking and geocaching on nearby trails. Day 76 of kayaking in 2026.
D. Smith
McConnell Hill
A three hour hike over and around McConnell Hill on a fine end-of-summer day. 
Tower Hill
A hike long the East Rim, then up a steep track to Tower Hill. Revisiting an old trail I used to do we called “Doug’s Dream.” Still very steep and challenging. 
Lodgepole Loops
Twice around Lodgepole Lake in a kayak, then one more time around the lake, hiking on a trail on a fine day. 
Bluenose Mountain
A drive east of Vernon to Bluenose Mountain. A 6 km hike on a steep route, completing a loop. Great views and a good trail.
Stump Lake
A 5.5 km paddle on Stump Lake and a hike along the shoreline hills afterward on a sunny-cloudy calm day. 
Stake Lake and the Dragon Spray Trail
I paddled Stake Lake first, then went up the road to Lodgepole Lake and hiked the Dragon Spray Trail, for a total of about 6 km. 
Wheeler Pond Loop
A hike around Lac du Bois, then a good trail up to Wheeler Pond, and then back on the Wheeler Mountain Road and the Upper Grassland Track. Placed two new geocaches along the way. 
Valleyview Nature Park
A hike on trails in Valleyview Nature Park. All quiet in the hills. 🌤️
Lac le Jeune
I kayaked the east end of Lac le Jeune first, then went for a short hike on nearby tracks. A beautiful first day of September. ℜ≈
Roche, Black, and Tulip Lakes
A day of activity in Roche Lake Provincial Park. I kayaked Roche Lake, then hiked to Black Lake and back, then did the walk into Tulip Lake on a fine day. ≅
A Rainy Edith Lake Paddle
A rainy paddle, so kayaking on Edith Lake became the plan. No wind, cool weather, and only one other boat on the lake. Some ducks and blackbirds, but all quiet otherwise. My 70th day of kayaking in 2026. 
Dallas – Barnhartvale Trails
A 7.7 km hike in a large loop through the Dallas – Barnhartvale Trails on a cloudy day. Quiet on the trails and a great day in the open forests. 
Heffley Lake
A kayak outing on Heffley Lake. The boat launch itself was closed but it is easy to access the gravel beach. Beautiful conditions for paddling. Afterward, I did a short hike on the Mt. Embleton Trails. 
Gils Trail to Tod Lake
A hike on Tod Mountain Trails from mid-station > Gils Trail > Tod Lake > Saddleback Trail > Whyte Bowl > Elevation Trail > mid-station, about 8 km on a sunny day. 
Edith Lake Morning
A kayak outing on Edith Lake on a sunny morning, fit into an available time slot which worked out just right.
Paul Lake PHD
From the Paul Lake beach, I kayaked west and back, but stopped for a hike on the lakeside trail on a calm and sunny day. 
East Rim in the Rain
A 2 hour hike on the East Rim Trail and some side trails near Peterson Creek, all in the rain (its been a long time coming). 
McConnell Lake and Stake Trails
An early start to first paddle McConnell Lake, then a hike on the Stake Lake Trails. 
Paul Lake – Kayak and Hike
An early paddle on Paul Lake from the west end to the Gibraltar Rock area, then a hike on the lakeshore trail and back. 