May 10, 2011
Walk from Wabasca Town along the east shore of North Wabasca Lake.
I started out on Mistassiniy Rd Walking east then north to the three way stop signs. Then I followed the shore of North Wabasca Lake for a ways until I encounter residential property on the lake so then I continued my walk along the road to what is called Fisherman's Wharf. I refer to Fisherman's Wharf in my January 24 and April 12 posts.
Wabasca town to Fisherman's Wharf = 3.2 km about 1 hour.
During this portion of the walk I got a glimps of what might have been an America Water Shrew, a small furry creature ducking in and out of the water. I observed a small flock of Snow Buntings, a Great Blue Heron, heard Grebes. Walked through several private properties. One had people on the porch so I just said hi and kept going.
Fishermans wharf to Ceremonial site.1.5 hrs 4 km
From Fisherman's Wharf there was a Vehicle trail through the woods for a half a mile or so until it intersected with a road grade to a golf course construction site. I took heed of the the no trespassing signs as best I could but proceeded on the road as there was no construction activity at the time. Observed Blue butterflies and Painted Lady butterflies. When I left the Golf Course I walked through muskeg back tracking some to get to what I call the Ceremonial Site mentioned in my April 12 post. I found a game trail and followed it until it met with an ATV Quad track. I am certain that there is still frost in the muskeg or I would not have been able to walk it. I then back tracked through bush to the ceremonial site. I lingered here for a bit making notes and checking E-mail.
From the Ceremonial Site I bush whacked along the drop off and back to the lake. I walked the shore where I could to where I stopped for lunch. While walking the shore I heard 2 Boreal Chorus frogs. While walking the shore I would occasionally notice splashes but I would see nothing. The splashes seemed to big to be a frog. I then observed a small fish 8 to 10 inches long swimming away. It might have been a a Sucker. I assume these fish were warming themselves in the still and warmer water right on the shore of the lake. There was still a bit of ice remaining on the shore of the lake.
I stopped for lunch at about 1:30 PM. About another 2.3 km along the lake shore. I found walking the boulders on the shore line rather unstable to walk on and my feet where beginning to suffer. I ascended the bank a couple of times and would find it good walking for a few feet but then I would be bush whacking again. I saw more Snow Buntings. As I recall I have never really observed Snow Buntings up close so I am only assuming that these small birds that had a lot of white on them were indeed Snow Buntings.
I Arrived at the beach of the Lion's campground at 4 pm.The total time and distance to this point was 13 km 5 hr moving 2 hr 27 min stopped.
I rested on the beach in the sun for at least a half hour. Since I had no phone service I decided that I better walk to where I would have phone service so I could ensure that I could arraign to be picked up.
Between lunch and the beach there is brush clearing along the shore for Golf Course construction.
While walking from the beach to RR 253A heard both the Boreal Chorus and Northern Wood frogs. Also a Ruff Grouse drumming.
There were also a few Mosquitos already. My ride picked me up at about 6:30pm along RR 253A but not before a few of the local folks had driven by and gave that whiteman a few stares of wondering why he was walking along that road.
Total distance 16.9 km6 hrs
3 hrs stopped
Moving average 2.8 km/hr
900 ft total ascent.
Max elev 1950 ft.
