– N. Pezel
– N. Pezel
– N. Pezel
– T. Koleszar
– T. Koleszar
– N. Pezel
– T. Koleszar
– N. Pezel
– N. Pezel
This is the impressive Rainbow Lodge
– N. Pezel
– N. Pezel
– T. Koleszar
Powell Lake – its natural and not-so-natural history
by Tom Koleszar 22 Jun 2019
Its 0900 Saturday morning and 12 intrepid naturalists embark on the Catwalker for an all day trip up Powell Lake to learn about the lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery! We made 4 stops on the way up to the head, including one at Captain Byrne’s cabin at Olsens Landing for a much needed break! (The other stops were in the middle of the lake a few kms up, just past the first narrows, and off Beartooth Creek).
At these stops Nancy and Tom talked about the lake waters (the deep salt layer), forestry practices along the lake (visual impacts, OGMAs, ungulate winter ranges, etc.), the geology and geography of the lake area, and the lake history (which includes many homesteaders and colourful characters!).
At the head we got off the boat for a nice lunch in the sunshine and a short walk up the road to a bridge over the upper Powell River – which offers spectacular views of the lake and the river! After that its back on the boat for a run down to the second narrows and a look at the Rainbow Lodge and then on to the Narrows area for a stop at a small dock and a swim (all those who went in said the water was great!). After that we had one final stop off the Fiddlehead area for a discussion on the history of the farm, and then back to the Shingle Mill at 1530.
I think everyone had a great day, and thanks to Captain Byrne for the expert handling of his boat and the use of his cabin! It seems like this is one trip we’ll have to do again!
