Paddling NB

Description

Note: Weather conditions can drastically vary the speed and difficulty of your trip. Please plan accordingly.

The plan was to see how close to Little Harvey Lake we could get by passing through the Thoroughfare between Harvey Lake and Little Harvey Lake. The waves splashed onto the shore as we unloaded the boats. The constant wind was coming off the lake and making choppy conditions. We decided that we might as well give it a try since we came this far. We got in the boats and stayed left along the railroad tracks that hugged the bottom of Cherry Mountain. As we came out into the lake the waves got bigger and more challenging. Not dangerous but we knew we were going to get wet.

We headed due west towards the western shore of the lake. We were hoping that the forested shoreline would protect us from the wind. It was a good workout fighting against the waves. We had to keep paddling or the wind would quickly spin us around. We eventually made it to the shore and the forest did provide protection from the wind. We turned right and made our way along the shore. We eventually came to a point of land that jutted out into the lake. The end of the point was grassy but it still provided us with protection from the wind.

We sprinted out around the point so we could quickly get into the thoroughfare where we would once again have protection from the wind. We entered the Thoroughfare and the mix protectdion from the wind and aquatic plants made the water in the thoroughfare glassy calm. A narrow channel cut through the pickerel weed and lily pads. We passed by a large beaver hut and then came to a beaver dam across the Thoroughfare. The sun was getting low in the sky so we didn't have time to climb over the beaver dam.

We flew the drone to scout out the route for next time. It looked very challenging. There was another larger beaver dam not far past this one. There was a third dam before reaching Little Harvey Lake. The stream also disappeared into the trees before reaching Little Harvey Lake so I couldn't see what was in there. I would need to come back when I had more time and dry pants. I am pretty sure Vicki wouldn't want to come with me on that beaver dam scramble.

We paddled back out towards Harvey Lake and took lots of pictures of the pickerel week and liy pads. They were white lilies, which in my experience are more rare than their yellow counterparts. We even sunk the Gopro down into the water to check out the fish. We couldn't see them while we were there but were surprised to see so many fish on the video when we got home.

The wind had died down a bit on the lake. There was still a bit of a breeze but it was going in the right direction and pushed us back across the lake. The sun became a fierly orange ball in the sky as it set. We took pictures of it until it sunk below the horizon. It was getting dark so we headed for Cherry Mountain. We could see a pontoon boat going up the far shore but otherwise the lake was silent.

When we got to the boat launch it was getting pretty dark. We loaded the boats in the dark while we danced to keep the thick mosquitos off. We then jumped in the car quickly to keep the mosquitos from getting in, and then we headed for home.

Directions

Drive into Harvey. At the bottom of the hill turn into route 636 west near the Smith Country Store. Drive for 350 metres and you will see the waterfront park on your left. Drive to the end of the parking lot and turn right to find the boat launch.

Other Routes nearby

• Lake George
• Hurley Corner Deadwater
• Magaguadavic Lake

Route Last Paddled: August 4, 2025.

Page Last Updated: February 15, 2026.