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Cougar Bay Trip Report, Lake Coeur D'Alene, April 11

By Dennis Andrew

Dennis Andrew, Larry Riordan (members) and Linden Maxwell, Debbie Pyle (guests). Wind, rain and cool temperatures were the norm all week long until the scheduled launch time behind the North Idaho College on Thursday evening. Four paddlers pushed off onto glassy waters just after 6:00 PM, heading out into the lake to pass by the log booms guarding the banks of the Spokane River before heading west across the lake's outlet. More log booms in the direct path required a circular route near the north shore to get deeper into Cougar Bay. Many of these log booms are dismantled before the summer boat traffic returns.

It was peaceful and serene as we headed up into Cougar Bay Conservation Area. The water was approximately 3 foot below normal summer levels and the fishermen were still avoiding the area. This left the small bay empty except for four kayakers, several osprey, lots of noisy of geese and hundreds of ducks. There was sign of muskrat and beaver, but we never saw the critters. Because of time limitations, we did not delve deeply into the conservation area.

On exiting, we headed along the shoreline in a southerly direction. I had scouted the area the previous Friday and found it necessary to hug the shoreline to get past another log boom. But by the Thursday trip, the log boom had been mostly dismantled and it was clear paddling along the west shore. We headed south for about twenty minutes, until we were past the last of the pilings, and then turned left. We did a comfort and gear check before leaving the close shore. Everyone reported being warm, dry and having a lantern available.

The group crossed the channel to the next set of log booms on a heading of about 10 degrees left of the Coeur d'Alene Resort. This is when the rains returned, about 45 minutes ahead of schedule. We were dressed for conditions so no one was uncomfortable. Most of us headed back toward home shore on the west side (the outside) of the log boom. Larry, however, followed the inside edge. Larry's luck prevailed however, as there was a gap between the logs near the end where he could squeak through to the outside. It was a tight squeeze because by this time Larry's deck was heavily laden with aluminum cans and other rubbish that less-civic minded persons had left on the waters. Nice touch, Larry.

Sometime before we reached shore, the rains stopped. I'm not sure when. I remember noticing at one time that it was raining pretty well, and then as we approached our landing spot I noticed that the rain had stopped. Everyone appreciated staying dry while loading boats and equipment. 2 hours on the water; can be extended by more exploring in Cougar Bay or by heading on to Kidd Island Bay before the return.