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Harold's Hat

Man wearing a leafy hat paddles under a clear blue sky. Forested shoreline in background, creating a playful mood.
Harold's luscious cedar locks

TALES FROM THE TRAILS

One of my favourite things about working with Path of the Paddle, is hearing about people's tales from the trails! When my good friend Ayla mentioned she did a trip on a section of the Omini Trail, I was excited to hear all about it. Knowing Ayla, I knew that along side questions about their route and trail conditions, she'd have some funny anecdote to share.


THE ROUTE

First, this was the loop that they mapped out: Mountain Lake - Watap Lake - Rove Lake - Rose Lake - Rat Lake - South Lake - North Lake - Little North Lake - Little Gunflint Lake - Gunflint Lake - Little Gunflint Lake - Little North Lake - North Lake - South Lake - Rose Lake - Arrow Lake - bike back to Mountain Lake to get the truck. While Path of the Paddle is primarily a water trail, the Omini Trail has a bike section too!

 

They chose this loop because it was close to enough to home, allowing them more time in the wilderness and less time in the car.

Person bikes along a backcountry road lined with trees.
Biking back to Mountain Lake to get the truck.

THE CREW

The trip was 7 days and 6 nights. It included 2 humans, 2 dogs and a canoe named Lord Tubby. 


Man paddling a canoe with two dogs, bright sun overhead. Green backpack in the foreground. Tranquil lake and forested shore in the distance.
Lord Tubby safely transporting its cargo on Watap Lake

THE FUNNIEST MOMENT

When I asked Ayla what the funniest thing she saw/ate/did or experienced on her trip, I received videos and pictures capturing the story of Harold's Hat.

 

“The funniest moment was when we were wind bound on Arrow Lake for an afternoon. Harold was snoozing away on the little spit of a beach and I went beach cruising to find treasure to construct Harold a sun hat. The rule I gave myself was I could only use material that the lake had blown in and I was not allowed to take anything living (okay I did cut a bit of willow for the frame of the hat).


"Items I found for the hat construction consisted of birch bark, a young cedar tree chomped down by a beaver, a variety of twigs, tiny seagull feathers, snail shells, and soggy ‘seaweed’. When Harold awoke from his slumber I dazzled him with the gift I had created. The hat came with us once the winds allowed us to be free from the beach and to paddle once again. The following day the sun was bright and Harold put the hat to the test.


Man paddling on a lake wears a leafy crown and sunglasses. He's smiling under a bright blue sky, surrounded by lush green forest.
Harold puts his zero-waste sun hat to the test

"It lasted at least 10 minutes in all its glory - it was a hat made with care and to be worn with care! About 11 minutes later into its debut, the hat started taking on many new forms, providing Harold with the opportunity to experience long luscious locks of cedar. In the end most of the hat went back to where it had come from.” 



TRAIL CONDITIONS

Of course I was keen to know the condition of the trail and campsites - paddlers are essential scouts for Path of the Paddle's regional trail committee (RTC) volunteers who help maintain the trail. The Canadian side had a lot less traffic than the American side - many campsites on Watap and South lake had trees down and seemed relatively unused for a long time. Sounds like a good destination for the RTC!


Anytime you're out on the Path of the Paddle and you see a campsite or portage that needs some maintenance, or if you want to help with the maintenance of the trails, please contact us at info@pathofthepaddleassociation.com!

Campfire in forest at dusk with trees silhouetted against blue-orange sky. Cooking pot on stand and bottle on log visible near the fire.
Campfire at dusk
LAKE SPOTLIGHT

The Lake Spotlight of this trip goes to both Watap Lake and Rose Lake!


Tall cliff on calm lake.
Cliff on Watap Lake

View of calm lake
View of Rose Lake

Dog sleeps in tent
Tent naps on Rose Lake
SHARE YOUR TAILS

As we ski, snowshoe, ice climb or cozy up with a puzzle throughout the winter, I hope your plans of summer paddling adventures aren't too far from your thoughts.


If you have a route that you did and photos you're keen to share, I would love to hear all about it!


Happy trails to you,


Kelsey Agnew

Trail Coordinator

Path of the Paddle Association


A tent glowing on a small peninsula under a starry night sky, surrounded by a calm lake. Trees silhouette the scene, creating serenity.
Happy Adventuring!

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