Lac la Hache (Axe Lake) is a 2300 ha. lake on Highway 97N in the Cariboo region.   There are several access points along the east side of the lake to launch a canoe or kayak, but since the lake is 16 km long, it is impractical to try to paddle the whole lake in a 34 km loop.   It is easier to divide the lake into 3 separate paddle outings instead.   We stayed overnight in Lac la Hache Provincial Park near the north end so we used the Park boat launch and did an 8 km loop on that end of the lake.

Paddling north from the launch we followed the shoreline past lakeshore homes and some pasture lands.  The shoreline has  grassland and forest with small shrubs, willow, rushes, alders, and poplars.

As the lake narrowed, both sides of the channel became wetlands.

From the kayak, I spotted eagles, ospreys, loons, and a variety of wetland birds.

Paddlers can work their way up the channel into Cariboo Nature Provincial Park, a marshlands to the north,  then back to the lake, following the west shore, looping back around a small island.

We will return to paddle the south end of the lake next time.

More information:

• Lac la Hache Provincial Park
• Cariboo Nature Provincial Park
• Lac la Hache