In the middle of the Lac du Bois Grasslands lies a long, narrow lake.     Long Lake sits at the bottom of a trench between the Bachelor Range and the Upper Grasslands.   The lake itself is 1.5 km long, but there is really a chain of ponds stretching over 3.5km.    A double track runs along the east side and there are options to do a loop around the lake using a single track above the shoreline.

Our favorite time of year to visit this area is in the spring when the nesting waterfowl are on the water and shoreline in droves.    When we approach the lake, we like to come in quietly and find a spot to take out our the binoculars and long lens before the birds spot us.    On the right day, the variety of bird calls rivals the volume of songs of the rain forest.   If you come with your City noise, you will miss much of the show.   Come to Long Lake quietly, ready to be an observer.

We enjoy coming to the loop around the lake in early summer to enjoy the wildflowers – mariposa, gaillardia, balsam root, yarrow,, lupine, pussytoes, vetch, lemon weed, and cranesbill.  Grasslands and shoreline birds remain around the lake and ducks continue on the lake.   We spotted scaup, barrows goldeneye, ruddy ducks, killdeer, meadowlarks, mallards, and grebes.

When we have walked the Long Lake route in the fall, for the most part it has been very quiet.   A few migrating birds stop over.   We spotted sandhill cranes overhead and a few dabbling ducks were still in the lake.   After the summer heat dries out the slopes, most of the flowers have faded.

Winter is a special time of year to visit the area.   From the parking area put on cross country skis or snowshoes and set your own track.   Stay on the higher ridge above the lake or go down to the lake and traverse the lake surface to the upper end and back.   You may be the only person in the area that month.

The quickest way to Long Lake is go up the Lac du Bois Road and park at the curve (7.5 km mark or N50 45.579 W120 25.129).   The track is a little hard to see at first, but if you just bear east, you will pick it up.   Follow it north until you are above Long Lake.   To do the loop, go east at the fence line down between the end of the lake and another pond.   A double track runs along the east shore of the lake.   Follow it north to the end of the lake.   Cross the end of the lake, looking for a single track.   Depending on where you cross, you may have to climb a fence.   A single track follows the west shore of the lake all the way back.

We try to visit Long Lake twice a year, alternating seasons.        If you are in the area, you won’t hear us as we pass the upland lakes quietly, camera and binoculars in hand.