Tues. Sept 10
Route Paddled: Big Thunder Lake to Erables Lake and Maple Lake
Distance Paddled: 7.3 km = 4.6 miles
Distance Portaged: 1725 metres (1.7 km x 3 = 5.1 km OR 1 x 3 = 3 miles)
Weather: Sunny & hot with a late afternoon thunderstorm

The morning found all of us less energetic than usual with Norm H sleeping in and Wayne starting the fire. We leisurely decamped as a breathtaking, red fireball sun peered over the forested horizon across the lake. Our enthusiasm was gradually rekindled as we enjoyed an amazing feast of pancakes smothered with maple syrup and followed by a steaming cup of coffee.

We "no traced" our campsite and launched our canoes from shore at 8:50 am, gliding out over the still waters of our protected cove for a short distance to our portage (8P1645) to Erables Lake. We completed the rutted, but less inclined trail in three stages over a two-hour period. We slashed through the underbrush to bypass a couple of downed trees cluttering the path; however, it was an easy carry-over with the canoes during the second passage. Next to the path, we encountered an extremely large boulder that was split into two, the split wide enough to see rays of sunlight on the other side. Throughout the trip, a wide variety of beautifully shaped and colourful mushrooms and fungi were found growing along the portages or on fallen, decaying trees – definitely a photographer’s paradise. (Click here for Norm H’s photo view)

Paddling out onto the expanse of Erables Lake and amongst its many islands and coves was a rewarding change from the small, narrow streams and short distant lakes we had experienced so far. A low, gray cloud ceiling and the refreshing westerly breeze foretold of deteriorating weather conditions. Our progress soon became slower and arduous because of the heavier headwinds, forcing us to paddle out into the middle of the lake and then tacking towards our destination. The heat and our efforts to fight the waves were beginning to take their toll; we took shelter on the lee side of an island to replenish ourselves. The quick shift in the wind and the smell of rain in the air indicated that a storm would soon be upon us. In the distance, we spotted anvil-shaped clouds moving our way and it was at this time that we heard the first rumbling of distant thunder suddenly reverberating off the surrounding hills. We were eager to get off this large lake as quickly as possible - we had about a half hour. We thrust our paddle blades deep and pulled hard, each stroke in perfect unison with one another. With so many coves at the end of Erables Lake, we continuously verified our map until we located the portage (8P80) to Maple Lake.

The thunder was becoming louder and the storm closer as we hurriedly carried our equipment and canoes through the straightforward portage. A decision had to be made to take shelter at the portage and wait for the storm to abate or continue on in the hope of reaching our campsite before the onslaught. Not wasting any time, we loaded our canoes, not realizing what we were about to encounter in order to get out of this wetland cove. We were forced to push and walk our canoes short distances through mud and sidestep around many submerged boulders. Once out onto deeper waters, we noticed the Leto canoe resting on the shoreline of their isle campsite. The storm was increasing in force with the sky alive with motion and the clouds transforming into menacing dark, gray thunderheads. It was evident that it would be unsafe to cross Maple Lake at this time. Wayne and Norm H hastily took shelter behind the isle and shouted to Norm R and John to follow suit; however, they could not hear the warning. Rounding the island, they came face-to-face with stronger winds and white-capped waves with "rollers". Norm H and Wayne anxiously followed them in the event that they encountered difficulty; and after getting their attention, we all managed to return safely to the Leto beach to secure our canoes. The squalled clouds, darkened inky black at their worst, drenched us with intensified, wind-driven rain. Huddled together, we watched from under a hand-held sagging tarp for thirty minutes before the storm veered southward - the brunt of the storm had actually missed us. The weather improved with shafts of sunlight bursting between the clouds and, in turn, so did our spirits.

After talking with the Letos, we warily paddled towards our campsite in a secluded cove at the far end of Maple Lake where we warmed ourselves with a jolt of hot soup and a dram of Yukon Jack next to a blazing campfire. We knew from past experiences that this storm would soon be circling back our way. In no time, thick storm clouds spread across the sky followed by forked lightning darting earthward and volleys of thunder. Our big, orange tarp was a godsend - we had just enough time to install it over the campfire and benches before a curtain of driving rain unfurled in earnest. The campsite was a perfect set-up, placed back enough to protect us from the cold wind, but near enough to the lake to provide us with an excellent view while we ate supper and sat around our campfire. Exhausted, we "turned in" early. Throughout the night, the thunderstorm and steady rains continued to encroach upon us, disturbing our well-deserved rest as pinecones and tree branches fell around our tents.