Exploring New Ground - TURTLE RIVER - Day Thirty Nine

Yesterday marked a change in our trip - we departed the well established Path of the Paddle route to begin a scouting adventure for a new section of trail. Gone now are the maps with nicely labelled five star campsites and any indication of the distances or locations of portages. Before us lies a bit of a mystery, which is exhilarating and fills each day with surprises.

The start of this exploration began on the Turtle River and heading in with no expectations, we have found a most marvellous destination. Leaving White Otter Lake, the first day on the Turtle was filled with near continuous C1 rapids. Small waves and quick current carried us to Bending Lake where we did a near 180 degree turn to loop back onto the Turtle.

Where the river narrows, the rapids descend through canyons with cliffs slanting up from the water on both sides. The first few sets we have encountered have had big water but few rocks, making them ideal for a fun ride. We have been swept into the dark tongue of fast current and then sloshed about in the frothing waves beneath the drop. It's been a thrilling introduction to the Turtle.

We woke this morning on our small island in the middle of the river to find it completely incased by fog. A world of grey seemed to loom in all directions just feet past the trees we were tucked under. When the ball of sun emerged slowly from the mist, it illuminated a hundred spider webs crafted everywhere on the point of the island. The water droplets shimmer on the strands of web and as we start packing up, we see a new web crisscrossing the trees every time we turn our heads.

The water we set out on was the smoothest we have seen yet. The flecks of pollen across the surface gave the appearance of a dust covered mirror and everything above the lake existed in perfect replication below. It seems that at last (knock on wood) the winds and rains and storms of July are departing and leaving a stretch of hot sunny days in their place.