Full Moon on Big Bear Lake

Every month, on or around the time of full moon, we take our kayaks and paddle somewhere.  From May through October, we plan these trips for Big Bear Lake and invite friends from the Mountain Paddle Club to join us.

We paddle on Big Bear Lake often and always see something new or interesting but being on the lake at night is an entirely different experience…..magical.

Our first trip this year on Big Bear Lake was a few nights ago.  As always it was (amazing, fantastic, beautiful, out of this world) magical.

After stopping at the East Boat Ramp to purchase our lake permits and be inspected to ensure our kayaks weren’t harboring quagga or zebra mussels , we headed for Captain John’s in Fawnskin.  We like launching from this marina because it is more paddle friendly than the East/West Ramps on the lake.  There are fewer trailered boats being launched and not so many cars/trucks/trailers/power boats to avoid as we gather our gear and unload our kayaks.  If it is windy, Grout Bay is sheltered so we can start without waves and wind to contend with.

The other evening, when we arrived at the marina, Jory and Lisa from Big Bear Paddling were already in their kayak and ready to go.  As we unloaded our boats, Ian stopped by and was easily convinced to join us.  Ian made arrangements for a rental from Captain John and we were on our way.

The lake was calm and the weather warm.  David and I took a little teasing about being overdressed with our PFDs, long pants and neoprene booties but by the end of the evening the others would rue their choice of shorts and flip-flops.  It cooled off considerably by the end of the night.

As we paddled toward Windy Point, the moon peeped over Sugarloaf Mountain.  Since the actual full moon would be the next night, the moon rose before the sun set.  For our launch we had both the sunset and the moonrise to enjoy at the same time.

In the cove past the West Launch Ramp , the large carp were jumping and flitting away from our boats.  The mosquitoes were out but luckily, so were the bats.  A little past the ramp, we met Karin and continued west down the lake.  At the dam, we sat enjoying the moon light, the completely still water and Karin’s stories about the building of the new bridge that will bypass the dam.  Karin has been involved in monitoring the progress for the citizen’s committee and has watched the blasting and the big cranes being lowered into the canyon.

Soon, we were chilled and decided to take a turn around China Island then return to our cars.  There were no other boats on the lake and the heavens opened above us.  In the complete calm, the only thing we could see of each other was the wake from our kayaks in the moonlight.  Every once in a while we would hear a dog barking on shore or a car on the road.  Otherwise, it was still and peaceful.

Saying our good byes and loading the boats, we headed home with a sense of calm and the pleasure of a good paddle with friends.