sharon's e mail

Hi Everyone....

Just came in from being out on the ice road. Everything good! Road is in good shape. Went down as far as the backside of Queer. Some driveways look like they have been punched in, but the snow is blowing a bit out there today so driveways have drifted in. Not much snow anyway, maybe six inches if that.

NO road down into Moore Bay way yet. Called Leonard for an update, but he hadn't returned my call as of this time.

Merry Christmas to all!!

Sharon and Ray

ice roads

Brought my town truck to Island this afternoon,roads are in good shape,Everyone at French Narrows can drive to there doors. Bill Holm was out plowing today and said he will be out plowing next couple days.
The road starts Ministry Landing to Treaty,over Mud Portage and from there the normal route to F.N.

from Sharon's e mail today

Hi Everyone..

So, talked to Leonard this afternoon, and he said he had just finished pushing the main road over to Queer, and along the backside.

The ice from Rocky Narrows to Scotty's was a little iffy, and he suggests no one drive on it until it tightens up. Once again, best to try it after Christmas.

So, that is what we know as of today.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

Sharon & Ray

e mail from sharon

Hi Everyone.......

Just an update on how the ice road is progressing with all this cold weather.

Spoke with Leonard Boucha this evening who says surprisingly, the ice is coming along pretty good for this time of year. He has been over Treaty, and cleared it off, however he has not ploughed a road beyond Treaty yet, as he does not want anyone following his tracks just yet.

Rocky Narrows has not froze over enough , although he has driven past there, and has been out to Queer. (Only Leonard takes the sneaky way around)

He will keep us posted, but more than likely, it will be good to go just after Christmas. If it is sooner, I will be sure to let you know as he lets me know. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Merry Christmas everyone, and see you soon!

Sharon

First trip to town

I went to Bare Point by snowmobile this afternoon,we have 7.5" ice around the French Narrows area and 5" on the parts that were broken up by the winds.We rec'd 2.5" snow Wednesday so snowmobile travel is awesome. There are a lot of pressure ridges along the way,most are small but a couple 18"-24" high. The route I drove would be very much the same way the ice road.Lots of wolf tracks around Queer Island. Counted 12 deer crossing the Narrows on Wednesday,saw 2 eagles by Pipestone.They are driving trucks in welcome channel and have started to plow, they have more ice than we do. Please use Caution if travelling this weekend,
the thinest ice I found was 4" but as we all know it Varies.

Dec 6th update

I was out on the ice boat this afternoon and checking ice. Not the greatest news! We have 5 inches at our place and where I took these pictures there is 7 inches. From here I went to Moore Bay Lodge, and there was open water in the same location as where last years ice road was. We have heard that Bare Point Marina is still open water, that is from Terry Lunny and he drives the road every day to check. Will keep you all updated.

update

We have made 4.5" of ice around our Island since the 1st. Even the Narrows has froze as of the 5th. this should make the deer crossing safer.To answer your question Peter in this case 1 deer managed to get out but the other did not,this is the 2nd deer I have seen die trying to cross at the narrows.The 2 eagles and about 20 ravens were at the site all day yesterday.Barepoint Marina still has not froze as of last night (toooo windy) Ice conditions this year are going to be different than years past. The lake froze at different times with some parts still open And the level is very high,so with the normal outflow there will be strong currents making for hazardous conditions,Please check the ice before venturing off your normal routes.

Lake froze F. N.

On this am. walk I can no longer see open water. But I heard there is still open water at the entrance to Moore Bay. The problem has been the wind!!! it just will not quit blowing. On the 4th 4 deer were crossing at the Narrows,2 broke through the ice and were swimming and the other 2 returned to East Allie. This is a daily routine back and forth Spring and fall.

rick and deb dec 08

1st picture is woods end looking east
2nd picture is our road landing looking south.
the open water you see was froze once but opened with the strong winds.
The winds are dropping and I expect to see ice all around on tomorrows walk-------------stay tuned for more info!!!!!!!!!!

Lake Update

This picture was taken November 30th from our dock looking North to the narrows

Made our last boat trip November 29th, had to travel from Bare Point Around west side of Scotty's down to Elbow and east to home, saw 2 eagles perched in trees and 1 buck swimming.

Lake temp is 0c. there is lots of ice and open water around our island. Thorburn's said they have ice as far south as they can see from their island.

This morning the bay out front flashed over,but broke up when the wind picked up.If the wind drops tonight I expect her to freeze solid.

Lake froze November 23 in 2006

Lake froze November 27 in 2007

Lake Update

We made it to Bare Point Marina on Sunday morning. We had to dodge some ice to get there. Yesterday when we came home the only ice we could see was in Big Stone Bay and that ice was east of Kipling Island. The ice south of us (French Narrows) is gone as of this morning.

bigstone bay

You can make it to camp either leave from town or Bare Point. It is a turkey trail but do-able. This picture is of copper island in Bigstone, the inlet to the right is Northern Harbour. You could leave northern harbour but would have to follow shore line back to Bare point and then down.

Ice conditions

Flew to Bare point this afternoon,the only thing stopping us from boating out is the stretch of ice around the Hades,Scotty,s area to Bare point. This should be open in a couple more days.
Surface temperature is 5c, the frogs started croaking on 5th and sitting in the hottub last night the skitters were a nuisance.
I don't think anybody boating out of Northern Harbour will be able to get to there camps this weekend the 9th. the ice is white and is solid to the shore.

Ice

Just a quick note, I was flying today and its not looking good for boating. Bigstone is solid as is Clearwater bay. I have to fly Wednesday afternoon,will post a picture and an update of conditions at approx. 17:00. If your packing up for the weekend of the 9th --- don't pack the perishables!!!!!!!!

Ice

Was out playing in the boat this afternoon and it was snowing.This is what we are pushing through in our aluminum boat,this sample of icewas taken in front of Dick and Linda Frazell's Island. The top 2" is quite solid and the bottom 7.5" is candled and very brittle, and goes good with the RUM. From our place to Frazell's its open water then 100yards of this ice and took about 10 minutes of back and forth to travel through,then open water to Bald Island(green day marker) took 30 minutes to get through the next 200 yards, then open water to N.W. corner of Queer. That's as far as we can get by boat,solid ice as far as you can see. Last night we dipped to -5c and made another 1/4" of ice. Still can not boat around our island. French Narrows and Dorian still ice bound but that is receding. We are probably just as anxious to get out of here as everyboby else is about getting back here,so will let you know when we make it out.

ice conditions

Beautiful day here May 01. +12c , sunny N.E. wind 15-20K. We still can not boat around island,ice is 1" thick on surface and 8" long fingers (candled) underneath. You can step out of the boat and it will support you.Was out flying today and there is enough open water to travel from town to N.W. tip of Scotty's Island. Solid ice till Queer Island, Lots of open water around Queer, ice again to Bald Island,then open to Dick and Linda's Island ,then some more ice and then open all the way to our place. Dorian and the rest of the bay are still choked with ice.Most people should be able to access there camps by next week end if the weather co-operates????????????.
Bigstone is still frozen to the shore and doutful if that ice will be out till after the 11 th.

Lake Conditions

April 24 we had a total of 1.5" rain,this helped melt some ice. Then on 26 we had strong gusting winds and total accumulation of 10" heavy snow.
I took this picture at dusk on 27th,on 28th the open water froze solid again with a low of -8c. We need the moisture as lake level is low.Forecast for the week is nice sunny days but freezing temps at night.

Ice Out Or Not!!!

April 24 We saw and heard the Loon calling. Put my tin boat in today, only had to push ice about 100yds. from our place to the narrows. About 100yds short of making it to Dick & Linda's Island (the next set of bouys heading to town). Dorian Island and everybody else along French Narrows are ice bound.I could make it by boat to Guy & Gays and Murray and Karens docks. At present we have 25plus kms winds, white caps out front.The forecast is not the greatest with 15-20cm of snow and we have already put away our shovels.

Ice report

Today we saw pelicans,2 beavers,Mallard ducks and a mosquito.The ice is pulling from shore,travel is limited to ice boats. My first guess was May11 but I think we should be able to boat out by May 02

from rick's plane of the narrows apr 08

Today we saw black flys, and a pair of SNOW GEESE at the narrows. This is the first time I'VE ever seen snow geese around here.

from rick and deb

Hi P & K
Took this picture this am from our deck looking west towards East Allie Island.Not open shore to shore yet.
April 9th saw a truck on ice at Queer Island,still 2 ice huts by Scotty's.
April 11th saw a Turkey vulcher
April 12 th saw a butterfly
Went by Quad around French Narrows,everybody's place appears secure
Rick

thanks for the updates

kt and i saw the racoons walking from dave's place to dorian island the last time up, just walking slowly??? ma and pa ,,, lots of snow here yet ??? but spring will come ,,, and back to the lake we all go ,,, cu pt ,,, send pictures of the breakup and i'll post them ,,, thanks

End of winter season

Took the truck off the ice this morning,the roads are still drivable but portages are getting rutted.The following are dates we noticed the return of some wildlife:
March 13 resident eagles returned
March 19 spotted 1st racoon
March 20 spiders crawling on the rocks in the sun
March 30 saw 2 geese
March 31 sea gulls in Manitou
?????? crows returned but forgot to record date
April 4 6 ice huts still on ice, mostly around Scotties

from john

WAS OUT ON SUNDAY-WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS TRAVELING OUR ROAD.THE WOLVES HAVE BEEN BUSY -KILLED A DEER RIGHT BESIDE MY COTTAGE!ALL ELSE WAS WELL!

Sharon

I was out there today Peter, and Treaty was okay going out this morning, but when we came back around 6:00, what a mess. The landing coming off Treaty heading out, at the far end, was brutal. There were big ruts everywhere, and lots of slushy snow, now that things are starting to melt. Still good ice roads, just Treaty is always a surprise. I think it is from all the traffic today, maybe because of PowWow.

Sharon

From Sharon

Hey Guys.....

So, tonight in our local newspaper, Chief Ken Skead announced that he will be setting up roadblocks again, and charging $15.00 a day, to use the access points onto the ice roads via, PowWow or Bare Point(which does not go our way). This is all news to me, as Leonard indicated the other day, that the Chief was real pleased that the traffic had slowed down on the reserve.

This is just to let you know at this point, as Peter I read your email, where you said you still had materials to get to your camp. Treaty Island was absolutely terrible last night.
It was like a skating rink! I will be talking to Leonard again, to find out if anyone will be sanding it, like maybe the contractors that are using it more than others. If I hear anything before the weekend, I will let you know. Your option is, for $15.00/day you can still use PowWow.

Sharon

Sharon's e mail

Hi Everyone.....

Just a heads up to let you know, the road into French Narrows is not in good condition, and I wasn't sure who had been out this weekend.

For those who were not out, the road blew in this past week, and Bill finally decided to open it up on Friday evening, but it drifted in again on Saturday.

Bill has been compensated for the majority of his plowing, but his total time has exceeded what was available to him. Bill is aware that any plowing required by anyone from this date on, is paid to him directly by the person(s) requiring him.

Every winter is different as we all know, but it will have to be looked at for next year, as I have had concerns on the amount of plowing and the total contributions received. This is not specific to just the French Narrows area alone, but the whole road from Queer Island down.

I am open to suggestions, ideas, solutions, and will be letting you know at a later date how things play out.

Sharon

Ice Road Update

Hi Everyone...


French Narrows is now open. Access onto the ice can now be made off the Ministry landing and over Treaty Island. Not the best, a little bumpy, but much shorter. Talk to you later.......


Sharon

here's hoping ,,, thanks guys

Guys,
Talked to Sharon today and she told me the road was being put into French narrows today.Good news-I will confirm this week.
John

colder weather coming

looks like a week of colder weather ,,, hope fully this will help the road ,,, pt

Ice Road Conditions

To add to the comments made by John, Ray and I were out again on Monday, and drove to our place and over Strawberry. So, as far as driving that far out, the road is okay.
Talked to Bill this evening, and he and Leonard will be going out on Sat morning to see how the conditions are to date. As per what John has indicated, Bill will continue to plow that end and Leonard up to Queer, depending on snow conditions. We are still discussing what will happen with Treaty Island for access purposes. Will let you know.

Sharon

from ; JOHN TRESOOR

Road is ploughed to Queer but I would'nt go on with car.It is still pretty iffy.We need some cold weather.Was talking to Bouchas and if they say it is not great I BELIEVE THEM.You can go by snow machine from town if you wanted.Let me know if anyone is going down and I will let you know the best way to go-Guys are traveling to Andrew bay.Talking to Billy Holmes who is looking after our end and he asked that if anyone was going down he wanted us to pack a trail through Dorian the way the road goes(WITH SNOW MACHINE OF COURSE)We need to freeze up the slush.Talk to you soon.
.
John

thanks john ,,, and Sharon for all the info ,,, and think kt and i will wait an extra week or so ,,, peter

Ice Road Update

Hi Everyone...

Leonard now has a road in, but to date, it only goes to Queer Island, and not all the way down.
Ice conditions have not been that good. I was out today to have a look, and the road is good to Strawberry, but after that, not so good. I'm sure everyone can understand with all this mild weather we have been having. It sure is a longer way out to camp, coming in off the hwy at Matheson Bay, then following the road to PowWow Island. Seems much longer to me. The roads are narrow in some spots, so you sure have to take it easy. As for the ice road itself, as I said, up to Strawberry its good, after that lots of slush. Will try to keep you updated as much as I can. Hope to talk to Leonard again this week to see if anything new has developed for access onto the lake. Will also be checking out what is happening with a road over Treaty Island.

Sharon

the only place i go for info

thanks for all the up dates from everyone, and all the work that goes into this information. it takes time and energy, and i look forward to my visit to this blog for all the news about the ice roads, and i'm looking forward to seeing the lake and camp again. see all soon ,,, peter