A beautiful lake paddle in the new Lois Hole Provincial Park. From where you park, it's only a 50 to 60 metre carry to an excellent launch site at the water's edge.
Big Lake consists of two large 'bays' connected by a narrows. The trip starts near the western end of the narrows. Follow the beautiful, undeveloped spruce and aspen-clad south shoreline toward St. Albert. Steer toward the round piers of the new 'west bypass' bridge under construction. There you enter the placid Sturgeon River which develops a bit of current as it passes under an old timber railway trestle and then a new pedestrian bridge. Pull out opposite St. Albert City Hall and grab an iced cappucino at the nearby Timothy's. On your return, be sure to hug the south shore or you'll miss the entrance to the narrows. Three power poles mark the spot where you left your vehicle. (LEAVE NO GARBAGE!!)
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Directions:
Go west on the Yellowhead Highway to 231 Street and then north on 231 as far as you can go. There's a turn-around at the road end where you can park. On your return, you can't access the Yellowhead directly from 231 Street but must take a service road paralleling the Yellowhead east to 215th Street.
