The Peaceful Trail

 Pink Lake is a delight to visit, particularly on such a day in autumn. After a hectic work week, this was exactly the kind of remedy that was called for.

One last look from the shoreline.

And then the trail headed up, and the lake could be glimpsed through the trees.

I could hear the sounds of the shuttle bus from here, but expected I'd miss it.

Back to where I had started, with the lookout.

All along the trail I had heard birds in the trees, but didn't see them. Finally here I noticed this red squirrel darting back and forth on the lookout platform. He or she indulged me in a photograph before continuing on their rounds.

One last look at Pink Lake. From here I would be onto another destination.

Unique

Carrying on today with my hike around Pink Lake in the Gatineau Hills, here we have these views.

Interpretive panels tell more of the lake's story, focusing on its unusual waters and how that affects life in the lake.

A viewing platform at a high spot affords splendid views.

I proceeded on.

A Mine

 From where I left off yesterday, the trail started moving away from the lake for awhile.

I went up higher, to an area with some fenced off sections. The reason for the fencing is clear here- there are some old mine shafts, from a couple of periods of time early in the 20th century and briefly after the Second World War, when the mineral mica was mined here. An interpretive sign notes the story.

The trail led on.

And it started venturing back towards the water.

At this side of the lake, an interpretive sign gives the visitor a surprise: among the fish in the lake is the three spined stickleback, a fish normally found in the ocean. Following the ice age, when this whole area was covered for a time by an arm of the Atlantic, the sea retreated. Sticklebacks were trapped in this and other lakes that became freshwater- but because Pink Lake transitioned to fresh water much more slowly, the fish adapted and became a freshwater species in this lake.

Shining

More from Pink Lake today. Along this shore the green tint of the water is particularly vivid.

At this point what came to mind: the lake of shining waters. I wondered what Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne would have thought- and that quote from her also came to mind: "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."