Stave Lake, one of the most visited lakes in the region of Greater Vancouver, is very easy accessible from the city. Although it’s located only some 40 minutes drive from Vancouver, its environment can give a visitor a very first taste of Canadian outback.
Early in spring, when waters from thawing snow haven’t reached the lake yet, the level of water in the lake is very low. Unlike during most of the season, the lake now reveals what it holds right under the layer of water in summertime when large quantities of swimmers and boaters alike test its waters .
Stave Lake in spring, BC, Canada at low level of water.
Stave Lake in spring, BC, Canada at low level of water, revealing huge wooden stumps on its bottom.
At its deepest point, the lake can be no more deep than 12-15 metres. In the absence of water early in spring, the lake reveals a lot of wooden stumps that linger on its bottom, completely unnoticed in the summertime. A relaxing family ride in a rubber boat or a single swim in water can bring a danger to those who don’t expect it in nice and usually very calm lake. Huge stumps that are leftovers after logging the area lay on the lake’s bottom, some of them displaying their sharp branches and can be very dangerous for any water sport. The entire landscape is now like from unreal world, decorated by nature itself; it can be very well used for shooting any sci-fi movie based in wild nature or the one from E. A. Poe story.
Stave Lake in spring, BC, Canada – 4×4 driving in soft mud of its bottom.
Stave Lake in spring, BC, Canada – motocross rides in moonlike landscape.
A quick look at the empty lake leaves no impression of safety right now, early in spring. Wet, slushy and muddy ground is a great occasion for those who do motocross or quadding, some brave 4×4 riders get stuck unexpectedly in muddy ground but luckily, due to the presence of other 4×4 riders, they can save their skin, often after a long battle when pulling out those whose “built-tough” vehicles have to give up to the nature.
Yours truly on the stump, Stave Lake, BC, Canada.
Helicopter rides over Stave Lake, BC, Canada.
Blooming British soldiers of Fruticose lichen at Stave Lake, BC, Canada.
