One of the first lakes to be ice-free in the hills is Jacko Lake.    It is a popular fishing lake, but it is also a good lake to paddle, but best to avoid peak times.    On a cool morning at the end of the first week I drove up the Jacko Lake Road and parked in the boat launch area.   I launched my kayak and paddled around the lake.    The lake is filled by Peterson Creek which arises on the northeastern slopes of Chuwhels Mountain.    The snows haven’t melted yet at higher elevations so the creek is at a seasonal low, and the lake was down 2-3 feet too, making some of the bays too shallow.

There was a steady wind out of the southeast so I paddled clockwise windward to the east end first.

At the west end of the lake, Chuwhels Mountain was mantled in snow 9 km to the southwest.

Jacko Lake is a favorite, one I return to paddle once or twice around the lake about 3 times each year.   I will be back when the lake has been recharged by the spring melt.