My fall colours continue today, but from the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, up in Gatineau Park, where I last ventured in May when Tom and his wife were visiting. Fall Rhapsody is the name of a program that has been going on for some years. The National Capital Commission administers this federal park, which occupies much of the Gatineau Hills north and northwest of the city of Gatineau, part of the Les Collines-des-l'Outaouais municipality. The NCC, a federal agency, has worked with the city of Gatineau's transit system to give free shuttle buses out of both Ottawa and Gatineau into Gatineau Park on the weekends from the end of September into the first three weekends of October. The service is well used, allowing you to step on and step off at several locations. I went up two weeks ago today. I'll be showing you for the next three days, and then picking up in November, my stops in reverse of where I went that day. My last stop of the trip will occupy the first two posts, and it is Pink Lake.
Pink Lake is nestled in among the hills, and is a special place. Named for the Pink family who settled here in the 1830s, it looks blue this time of year, but takes on a green look in summer, a result of algae in the lake. There is a lookout along the parkway, where I was standing, with a wooden structure making up a second level. A hiking trail goes around the lake, accessible from here and a main parking lot a short distance away. Research on the lake has shown it to be a rarity- water below 13 metres contains no oxygen. It is called a meromictic lake- simply put, the waters don't mix that well as most lakes. Few lakes in the world are like this. Plaques set up around the lookout explain more.
At this point in the day my camera batteries were running low, seriously needing a charge. I had photographed a lot at other spots, so I decided I'd go down along the trail for at least a stretch to see how much more I could photograph.
The way along the trail requires staircases in some places. Here's a look up and down from the lookout spot.
The trail brings you down closer to the lake shore, which is particularly beautiful in fall. I have more from here tomorrow.
Beautiful place! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful !
ReplyDeleteIt is just over a year ago that I visited Gatineau Park. It was pouring down so I didn't see it at its best. Glad of the opportunity to see it through your photos.
ReplyDeleteHello, looks like a great outing. The views of the lake and trees are beautiful. Have a happy day and a great new week!
ReplyDeleteUm belo lago.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e bom Domingo.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
It seems like such a short time of the year! So many colours. I love it. Of course, snow today. My shovels are down in the shed. Whoops.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great spot that I have got to only a few times, and I don't think my visit was very thorough.
ReplyDelete...the area was beautiful in May and now it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThose colours around the lake are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe stairs would be quite a challenge for me, but I would like to take a look overthere now.
@Linda: you're welcome.
ReplyDelete@Catarina: that it is.
@Fun60: I could not have asked for better weather.
@Eileen: thank you!
@Francisco: thanks!
@Jennifer: what a difference two weeks can make.
@Anvilcloud: I have gone around the whole lake, but not this time.
@Tom: it is incredible in fall.
Beautiful area. I'm curious about the Pink family and why they settled in the area when it is so very rocky. They must have appreciated the beauty of the area more than anything.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful place and especially with the colour of the trees now.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! Great photos too. The area reminds me a lot of northern Minnesota, especially along the Lake Superior shores. I do miss the fall colors.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful area and gorgeous autumn colors !
ReplyDeleteHappy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
So gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful area for a wander.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I can picture myself walking along the trail and up all those stairs. : )
ReplyDeleteThis looks a wonderful area.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing all of your photographs here William, thank you.
My good wishes for the new week ahead.
All the best Jan
Great series. Love lakes and surrounding trees. And of course the colors
ReplyDeleteMB
What a great idea to have an on/off shuttle there!
ReplyDelete@Jan: fortunately the lookout area itself still offers a good view for those who might not be a hiker.
ReplyDelete@Red: from what I've found they settled here. It's quite possible that if they had livestock, they alternated grazing between around here, the high ground, and lower pastures, as the hills to the west tend to drop down to the valley floor.
@Marleen: definitely!
@Lowell: the topography wouldn't be that different. This is Canadian Shield country, and that would apply in a good part of Minnesota too.
@Carol: thanks!
@Sandi: it is!
@Marie: very much so.
@Happyone: I enjoyed my time out in the woods.
@Jan: you're welcome.
@MB: I love this spot.
@RedPat: I chatted with a couple of ladies en route to the first place I went for the day, and we agreed that not everyone has cars, so this is a wonderful concept to get people up into the park who might not usually have the means to do so.
Absolutely gorgeous photos, William!
ReplyDeleteI do love seeing the fall colors. We don't have pretty colors here. I guess the right kind of trees have avoided this area. So thank you for sharing yours.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful! Thanks for sharing. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying your fall photos. The ones by the water are great.
ReplyDeletegorgeous fall colors. ( ;
ReplyDeleteLovely views! I've not heard of meromictic lakes before.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful place !
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful trail!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning shots William, Pink Lake and its surrounding areas are too gorgeous ✨
ReplyDeleteIt must have been wonderful trip. Lovely shot of the Pink Lake.
ReplyDelete@Bill: thank you!
ReplyDelete@Betty: you're welcome.
@DJan: a pleasure to do so.
@Sharon: thank you!
@Beth: that they are.
@Kay: it's a rarity.
@Gattina: it is, yes.
@Italiafinlandia: that it is.
@Grace: very much so.
@Klara: it was.