St-Louis lake is a St-Lawrence river enlargement on the south west side of Montreal island (see also other St-Louis lake blog april 2011). Pointe-Claire (Clear-Point) is a Montreal borough a few km west of downtown Montreal. St-Louis lake sits just upstream of the mighty Lachine rapids (see other blogs). Pointe-Claire is where the fur traders named Voyageurs (the Travelers) were leaving for there annual trip around Huron lake from april to november in large canoes called rabaska. Canoe landing is possible from the park at the end of Cartier street in Pointe-Claire (free parking). The area around the park is canoe friendly with minimal motor boats. There is a lot of sail boats, and I think there is even a sailing school not far. You are almost assured to see one or two sturgeons jumping out of the water every time you go there. Here are some pictures (no sturgeons included, sorry).
Above: Circled area where canoe spot is. Colored code map is from canoeing association Fédération Québécoise de Canot-Camping
Above: west side view from the park. I think this is the historical Pointe-Claire. Further away we see part of Perrot island.
Above: closer view of the historical Pointe-Claire.
Above: south side view from the park in Pointe-Claire. Across somewhere is the town of Chatauguay where the river of the same name ends (see Chatauguay river blog).
Above: the church of Pointe-Claire I guess. It sits on the west side of the park.
Above: East side view from the park. Mount-Royal in sight. Left is University of Montreal, center there is St-Joseph oratory and right the tip of downtown Montreal highest buildings can be observed or guessed (for the not convinced).
Try paddling out to Dowker Island. In Beaconsfield there are boat launches with free parking. It's about 1000m to the island so try to go on a calm day. On the island there's a ruined farm house. It's very nice to paddle around or picnic.
ReplyDeleteSounds cool !!!!
DeleteThanks
Gontran