Lake Ray Roberts State Park
Lake Ray Roberts is one of several big reservoirs in the DFW area. The reservoir can be accessed using public launch sites within Ray Roberts State Park. The park is actually divided into several units around the lake, each with different names. The kayak map trail route here starts at the Isle du Bois Unit. Flowing into the reservoir is the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, which at the output side then flows downstream into Lake Lewisville. As the pictures show, the open water and sky are fantastic, and the horizon on this lake is a long ways away. Open water crossings, no matter the conditions but especially in the cold, require common sense, judgement, and experience. I tend to avoid them, and one of the links, Center for Cold Water Safety, has all sorts of useful information about cold water and kayak safety. For this particular paddle I am in a dry suit. The route for this paddle went up the west side to Wolf Island, around, and back south down the east side to the launch. Very nice.
Above: Hanging out.
Above: Long ways away in dark water.
Above: Launch site at Isle du Bois.
Above: Brief stop on Wolf Island.
