On a sunny and mild April day the main gate to Paul Lake Provincial Park was closed, but the lake can be accessed from the west end of the lake.    A hand launch site is located next to the trailhead into the park.    I paddled up the lake along the north shoreline past Gibraltar Rock, then back on the same shore for a 5 km kayak outing.    The winds were calm for most of the paddle, but I got an early start to avoid wind forecasted by noon.

This is a favorite early spring kayak.    It was quiet on the lake.    Geese, ducks, and loons were on the lake.    A variety of birds called or sang in the forest.    Hawks flew over the bluffs above.    A few fish rose to the surface.    The kayak passed a few waterfowl nesting areas quietly.

I watch the forecasts carefully in the last 24 hours to get a wind forecast.   A windy day is a hiking day.   If the winds are light, it usually only lasts until about 11:00 am, so I get an early start.    There are many more lakes to paddle this spring.