Ice Road Update

Hi everyone...
Not sure how many people read these postings, but just wanted to let you know that I have been unable to contact Leonard, as I understand he may be away on vacation. As far as I know, there has been "some" vehicles travelling to Scottys via Bare Point, but not on a road per say. There is a road that goes from Bare Point to a person's place on Lunny Island, and tracks jump off it to Scottys. This is not a road we have put in. I am attempting to find out how the ice is doing, but suggest to those who read this, to watch the updates Rick Jackson puts on, as he lives out there and can give updated info. Will let you know when I hear from Leonard or Bob.

Sharon

from

Merry Christmas to all.People are driving to Scotty's now.We desperately need some cold weather and no snow soon.Will keep all updated.All the best.
John
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Ice Update

There is 6 inches of clear ice and 1 inch of slush ice at our landing. Not enough for a plow truck. There are no ice road in our area. We heard a rumor that they were going to plow to Coney Island. We have been travelling to Bare Point by sled and conditions are excellent with the odd slushy spot. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Rick and Debbie

Made it to Bare Point Marina this am. by snowmobile, Had to travel east to 12 mile portage then over to Strawberry and straight up back side of Scottys to Bare Point. I do not recomend travel just yet, the least amount of ice was 3.5" and the best was 7". Sharon Skillen is looking after the ice road again and When we have more info will pass it along.

from rick and deb sunday dec 2 07

With the 2" of snow yesterday that puts the count at 8" in bush,2" on ice and Last night is the 1st night we didn't make any ice , holding at 5" but its a white slushy ice,not very strong.Tried to go up the long skinny bay by sled,the way the road came in last year but ran out of ice half way up.Got a booter up to the knees.Headed East to Bottle bay lots of slush this way. Over portage into Andrew Bay 5" ice. Had coffee with the Germans, [they have not left the main land yet.]they said that as of Friday they can no longer see the steam coming off the water at the lighted red bouy Allan's Reef. Checked out an ash swamp down by Shore Island [saw 3 eagles,1 buck and 2 does]and there is only slush ice there that would not support my sled. Enough excitement for 1 day.

Lake Froze

Woke up this morning to minus 20 degrees C. There was a little bit of ice in front of our place, then by 11 A.M. it is all ice from shore to shore as far as we can see. We are now island bound. Will keep you all posted when we start to travel on the ice.
Rick and Debbie

Fall update

We have 3" fresh snow cover with trace amounts in the forecast. We went to Bare Point on Friday the 23rd. The bays are frozen as well as the Hades. Nobody from Dorian Island to the point of French Narrows would be able to access their docks. On November 22 the lake temp was 1.5c . The level is way too high for this time of year, We can expect double ice and slush, Travel may be a bit more difficult this winter.We will make 1 last trip by boat early this week as the forecast is for colder temps and the shore lines may freeze up.Not much for traffic since the American hunters left on the 15th. Only 3 boats and they were contractors. We have 1 duck swimming around out front and the eagles are still here.The next post will be when we make it too the landing over the ice.

beaver dam

sean took this picture in the fall behind our place, very nice place to go for a walk.

This is what we woke up to this morning

from rick and deb ,,, keeping us informed ,,, thanks peter and kathy

storm saturday

Just a short note to you’ all

Did anyone see a twister Saturday just after midnight? The sudden wind speed on the trees by our place blowing first one way then the other way looked like a twister? But it was very dark and we cannot see. But it sure sounded like a train coming? We didn’t get hit, and didn’t touch down, but it must have been close? And then it was over just us quickly as it came.

And back at northern harbour Gary lost 2 docks, one with a plane tied up to it. Yikes

Ttyl
Thanks

spring at last

spring at last ,,, spring at last ,,, this is the true start of spring and summer ,,, when cottage life returned each year ,,, and we have our "camps" back ,,, thanks for all the ice conditions updates ,,, and keeping a eye on our places ,,, will see you soon ,,, this weekend now that hockey is over ,,, i've had enough of hockey this year and it'll be good to get the summer started ,,, ttyl pt

Lake is open

We made it to town today. We pushed ice out in Big Stone this morning but on the way home the ice was gone. We don't have rain here yet. They keep promising us some rain but nothing so far. s

We had 1/4" rain monday ,this am. we left our place and made it as far as Heap's point {north end of Hades} no ice. Bigstone is ice in all directions as far as you can see. It is 8" thick but candled should be gone by friday the 4th. There is still ice in the Manitou and south of us. Lake temp is +4 c

Ice Update

Launched tin boat this aft. the ice is still 12" thick on the south side of our island but it is "candled" and the weight of the boat breaks through. There is a mix of open water and ice from our place to narrows,after the narrows Dorion bay is clear of ice.Heading north towards the Canadian Outfitters island there is a mix of open water and ice, after that its solid ice as far as we could see in all directions. The trees are starting to turn green

from ric

Hi fellas
Took this pic on 24th. in eve. from our island looking towards narrows. We are island bound,broke the bottom pulley on ice boat,shredded the belt and broke 1 blade on prop.

pic's

ric's pictures from the lake

Loon report

It's now official spring has arrived, at 18:40 on April 24th we heard our first loon call of the season. And she woke us up this am. Still not enough open water to paddle boat around island.

Lake update

Very busy weekend here, saw 1st. skitter on friday but didn't get bit till saturday and they seem to be bigger this year. Spotted a robin saturday and a pelican on sunday. The frogs started croaking on saturday morning. Friends stopped by in there ice boat from Welcome Channel they said they spotted a bear on there road and saw cormorants in the Manitou. We still haven't heard the call of the loon yet.Took the tracker off the ice April 16. Took the quad off the ice on April 19. We had 1/2" rain on 21st.April 23 the ice has pulled from our shore and sinks where you step. Ice should be gone by month end, I think the lake level is 9 " lower than this time last year. The deer have been trying to cross from F.N. to East Allie, they get to the middle of the narrows and fall in, both times I was watching they managed to crawl back onto ice and walk back to shore. Unfortunatley one didn't make it but she attracted the attention of 6 eagles who have been on scene.
R & D

thks for the ice updates

and i'll be checking it out every day as the ice melts ,,, i need this info and other news from the lake ,,, i'm having a little withdrawal from the lakelife as i can't get there ,,, and the google earth ,,, the date may be summer of 06 ??? because i looked at northern harbour and it has my new boat sitting at our berth ,,, and the weather is great today so it must be melting ice like crazy ,,, ttyl pt

Ice Update

Drilled a hole Sat. April 14 still 36" of ice but it is starting to candle.Went on a picnic yesterday by quad in Andrew bay.There were 5 couples weather was perfect we all got a head start on our tans.The only open water in this area is a 200 wide strip from East Allie to F.N. It is full of geese and golden eye ducks.The wolves and fox were very vocal last week during the night.The racoons pass through every night cleaning up the spilt bird seed.Fishing closed on Saturday,there was 20 quads between 12 mile portage and The Elbow.The snow is almost gone in the bush,with 2" of rain last week.
Rick

from rick apr 11/07

Morn. Peter
We are going to town this am. by tracker,I think this will be the last trip for her.

google earth

good afternoon you'all

i have looked at the great new google earth for some time now, it's been there for a couple of months, and the date of the new image must be from summer of 2005, because my deck on the cottage is clearly shown, but my new crib is not shown. the new deck complete with the roof was done mid summer 2005, and the new crib for the new dock was summer of 2006. so the image is a summer time image, must be from summer of 2005, that's my guesstimate??? c u soon pt

Google Earth

Hey Everybody

Check out Google Earth. They've updated the French Narrows area with a higher resolution picture, you can see alot more detail. I can see my boat at the dock and my truck at Northern Harbour. I think the photo was taken sometime after the end of June last year, can anybody narrow it down?

Guy

from rick on ice, apr 1

Hi Peter
Rained all night,still a little snow in bush. To Bare Point by tracker yesterday travel is good,all the surface water has drained off.

Good Morning Everyone...

Chief Ken Skead is again allowing us to use the reserve to access the ice roads!
He said this morning, that it is open for use, however they will be monitoring its use and he hopes his message got accross to those it was intended for. I expressed again, we appreciate the use of their road, and should any of us see anything or anyone abusing their property, to take down a license number and turn it in. The only last reminder, is that we all take it slow going past their homes.

Sharon

thanks for the road update

thanks Sharon for trying to talk with the band ,,, it would be nice to go that way ,,, but it's not the only way on to the ice now ,,, you know that we as a group are repectful of the road and this private property ,,, but i have seen persons driving to quickly on the icey corners and going off the road ,,, then blocking it trying to get there car back on the road ,,, and all the extra traffic thur there community ??? sooner or later there was going to be trouble from someone ??? thanks again for keeping us informed to date ,,, and again if we can go on this road it would be nice ,,, we are coming up on thursday with another load for my camp ,,, so if anything new happens with the band post it ,,, thanks again peter

Had a meeting with Chief Ken Skead on Tues, just after the notice of non-access onto lake via Rat Portage/Skead's Landing was announced. The meeting was attended by myself, my husband Ray, and Lenoard Boucha. We attempted to question if there was a way, our Ice Road users could be identified by the people manning the blockade,so we could all still have access. The Chief would have no part of anyone accessing the reserve, due to an altercation that had taken place on the Sat prior, by someone coming off the ice, bushing a vehicle, then causing a disturbance. We are going to speak with Chief Skead this week, to see what his status is on the matter. Will post our results when we find out.

Sharon

our neighbour lot 12 french narrows

2007-01-19 - Richard (Dick) Braun, of Kenora, ON
It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Richard Braun on Friday, January 19th.He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Donna, his children Jeff (Jennifer), Sherri (Doug), Jennifer (Jason) and his grandchildren Billy, Aaron, Olivia, Elizabeth; Scott, Haelee; and Daniel. He will be missed by his brothers Gerry, Darwin and Alec, numerous nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by the many friends he made on his journey through life.He will be remembered for his zest for life and his passion for helping other people. He was “MacGuyver” to many people and always had something to repair for someone, and a story to share with the project. He had a love for Lake of the Woods and moved his family from Winnipeg to Kenora in 1971. He pursued his mechanical career until his sudden passing.Special thanks to the ICU staff of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Center, and the staff of The Lake of the Woods District Hospital.Cremation has taken place, and a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Posted on 2007-01-22

road closed ???

Wauzhushk Onigum restricts access to ice roadsCareless drivers and litter have prompted Chief Ken Skead of Wauzhushk Onigum (Rat Portage) First Nation to put up gates along Devil’s Gap Road and Matheson Bay Road.
By Miner and News StaffMonday January 22, 2007Careless drivers and litter have prompted Chief Ken Skead of Wauzhushk Onigum (Rat Portage) First Nation to put up gates along Devil’s Gap Road and Matheson Bay Road.Skead said the lack of respect shown by motorists in his community, which he’s seen first-hand, has resulted in the traffic control measure.“I’m not trying to be difficult,” he said Friday.
Band council had considered the move last winter, but eventually decided against it. Skead made the choice, after consulting with Treaty 3 Police and legal advice.“We’re very fortunate. There’ve been no accidents yet, but it’s one of the reasons why we’re doing it right now,” said the chief, who wanted to protect the safety of children playing.Starting at 8:30 a.m. today, band members will be manning gates at the entrance to the reserve. They will be restricting access to residents and delivery vehicles. Others may call the band office for permission to pass through.Skead noted people in Kenora wouldn’t like it, if Rat Portage residents didn’t obey traffic laws and dumped garbage all over the place when they visited the city.

roads are wonderful this year

thanks for the great job on the roads so far this year ,,, went up on the weekend with a bunch of guys and everyone had tons of fun ,,, weather was perfect ,,, all possible because of the wonderful roads ,,, thanks again for the maintenances of the ice roads and keeping everyone informed ,,, peter t

Hey Peter...........

Roads are in good condition. Come on down....

Sharon

thanks for the info

thanks Sharon ,,, i will mark our road because sunday on our way out it was blowing snow and the road was almost impossible to see ,,, that is a good idea ,,, i'm new to ice roading ,,, if that's a word ,,, next time we are up ,,, not this weekend but maybe next weekend ??? post thursday if the road is not ready as i'm bringing a load of material again ,,, thanks again ,,, peter

Hi Everyone..

So, all this snow and wind has not been good for us out there. Leonard was out last night trying to keep the snow drifts down, but as of this afternoon when I took a ride around, the wind has drifted everything back in. Hopefully, the wind will die down by Friday sometime, and Leonard and Billy are planning on cleaning things up by then. The road into French Narrows is blown in, so there will be some work in there to be done. It would be a good idea, if anyone has the time, to place some trees along the road to mark where it is should a wind come up again while you are there.
Leonard also has plowed the road a different way after Strawberry. Instead of following the shoreline, he comes off and goes straight over the ice ridge. He shaved it down with the blade of his dump truck last night. You can still go around if you want.
Okay, well, that's all I have for now....see you on the weekend.

Sharon

First time up this winter

Well, I finally made it up to the cabin for the first time this winter last weekend. I am amazed at how little snow there was and what was there had just fallen.

We took quite a tour of the lake (almost 2.5 hours) as we couldn't figure out initially that our ice road didn't hook up with the Treaty Island and ended up taking almost every other ice road available. The weather was nice and it was mid-afternoon so was nice to get to tour around and see different parts of the lake. However, this, and other navigation nightmares, has made us resolve to packing our map, compass and GPS with our cabin keys so we are forced to take them with us everytime.

It was the first time we got to use the two-way radios I gave Peter & Kathy for xmas. Definately was nice to be in constant contact without the constant use of cell phones. Plus the built in weather band gave accurate conditions. But when my 4x4 gave out near the top of treaty island we found out their limitations when presented with significant topography (me and peter couldn't raise each other on them because of the hill blocking the signal). But no worries, a 100kph run at the hill was all that was needed to propel me over the top.

Having the road, once we got on it, coming right to the dock was so nice. And after two years of not being able to get any roads in because of the slush, it is kinda funny to have mulitple roads going every which way both in our bay and out on the lake in general.

Made some interesting discoveries when we arrived. For example, with the angle of the sun and the placement of the hill behind our cottage we recieve zero sunshine. A lesson learned oh too well by our solar system. Spring will definately see some relocation of the solar panels. Also too, trucking in a load of wood is alot less work than cutting and hauling a load of wood from the surrounding forest.

First thing Saturday Peter spotted a family of otters or something similar running along the ice. They would run two or three steps and then slide on their bellies. After breakfast, I headed out to try out some new toys. I spent most of the day trying to zero in my SKS with its new stock and then was able to finally try out my M44 and Lee Enfield. I had intended to only go for an hour, but ended up blasting away on the ice for close to five hours.

I was going to go for a hike but it was going to get dark soon so I thought I would save it for Sunday. Saturday night we had a nice bonfire on the ice, our first ever. The temperature was just around zero and a misting of snow set in at about midnight. Peter wouldn't let me burn his precious truck wood, so I scavenged the surrounding shoreline. Another lesson learned, a root of a tree produces great sustained heat and interesting flames.

Sunday was a write-off as, despite only being a few degrees below zero, 30km winds drove the snow to an uncomfortable degree. Basically it was wake up, pack up and drive out. The only drama was when Mark's Durango had trouble getting over a hill and jackknifed on its trailer a little. But a quick tug by the passengers had him rolling quickly enough.

Should be rolling out there again next weekend if weather permits. Hopefully I'll be able to get some fishing and some hiking/photography in.

Out checking the roads today....not to nice out there. Hoping this will end by Thurs sometime, and Leonard will be out by then opening all the main roads. Its like a whiteout out there!

Sharon

thanks for the info on ice road

sharon ,,, welcome to our site and the information on the ice roads ,,, the conditions change every day and it's great to have someone out there checking the roads out ,,, kathy and i are not going this weekend ,,, but will be out the next weekend ,,, friday morning ??? again thanks for keeping a eye on our camp ,,, and as you'll know which is which ,,, you can drop in for that drink ,,, it'll be nice to get to know each other ,,, pt and kt

Hi Everyone..

So, have talked with some of you already. My name is Sharon and I'm your Ice Road Co-ordinator, I guess you would call it. Thanks to Sean and Peter for showing me your site that you all use. Will try to keep you up on any new developments that may come up regarding the road. I think most of you have already figured out how to get out to your places by now. My husband Ray and I use "Skead's" landing on the Rat Portage Reserve, well others are using Bare Point, and some are still trying the Treaty way. Leonard Boucha who does our plowing, has not plowed from the main road off Treaty over land at Gages, as he does not prefer to go that way anymore. It is still useable, untill lots of snow falls, then maybe the alternate routes can be used. Leonard is out today, checking the roads, but we're hoping to plow maybe on Thursday, as we hear there is snow forcasted for Wed. For sure it will be cleaned up by the weekend.
Well, I seemed to have filled up this space quite well...can you tell I'm a yapper! Just kidding...
Bye for now........Sharon

John's new ice road ,,, posted by peter t

GUYS,
Give me a call before you come out.I had a new road through Dorian ploughed.

John