from Sharon and Ray posted by PT

Hi Everyone......

Just a quick note to give you an update on the ice conditions to date. Leonard has been out and attempted to do some plowing, but dropped part of his truck in at Gages Landing. He said the ice of course was not good there and at Strawberry.

There are individuals out there either by snowmachine, and the odd truck, but of course they all drive at their own risk. Snowmachine seems fine, but not with a vehicle yet. There is anywhere from 8" to 10" .

Rick Jackson drove his vehicle to his place and went via 12 mile following in other truck tracks. Some plowing is apparently going on down by Wolf Island, not by Leonard.

At this point, Leonard will not be attempting to plow again until after Christmas. Will keep everyone posted. If anyone has any further info to share, please contact me.

Sharon

Ice has Stalled

We have 7" @ our landing BUT still only 5" @ Queer.
Had 3" fresh snow over the weekend-On todays trip to Bare Point by sled conditions were sunny,calm -15c and the fresh snow was sparkling--awesome ride.
For the trip home we brought our CRV from Bare Point over 12 Mile Portage and down here. Good trip- slush coming up in the cracks in places. Counted 2 ice shacks and several groups of fisherman in our travels. Still no sign of any plowing on this side of the lake but have heard they are plowing Welcome Channel area.

Lake

Checked this morning-sitting 6.5" ice. We went by sled over to TeePee Island yesterday and crosed a couple snowmobile tracks and a couple truck tracks, coming over 12 Mile Portage.Other than that pretty quiet down here!!

ice fishing

Went ice fishing and all I caught were these 2 blocks. The one on the right was from the area @ our landing I have been checking all along-now sitting @ 6".
The one on the left was from only 200' away-both are same depth-no explanation as to why it would be thicker?? A good reason to allow for a little "pucker factor".
A friend was fishing near Wolf Island in the Manitou and said they had 7" ice there.

Made it to Bare Point!!

Left here by sled and followed last years ice road. The least amounts of ice were my landing @ 5" and the hairpin curve @ Queer Island 5". The average was 8" and even had a couple spots @ 10"(dam Queer Island!!)
The only tracks in the snow were Deer,Wolf and the Lunny's@Scotty's Island. From Bare Point back down to Strawberry Portage and headed East into Moore Bay again 8" on this route-then hopped over Hay Island Portage and only 6" in that bay of Bigstone. But as you get closer to Copper Island back to 8". Back to Moore Bay Lodge and out the back way to Andrew Bay and over the 2 Portages @ Bottle Bay-again 8"
By this time the chain saw had been idling/running for over 1Hr. So I had to chew my way through the last fallen tree on Bottle Bay Portage.
Plan on a town trip 14th this will be Debbie's first time off the rock since Nov.20th. Will have to check out Days Inn lunch special as a treat!!!

Conditions

Up to 5" of ice with 2" snow covering as of this morning.Beautiful morning here,clear,calm and -29c.We have had lots of sun past 3 days.
We have not ventured off the rock(wanted to go to Days Inn one Friday--$1.00 off the lunch special) But the ice boat would not start. So today will be the first day venturing out. I plan on checking ice thickness from here to Bare Point as the road would go using snowmobile.
Then head over to check for fallen trees on the Bottle Bay Portage.
We heard they have started using quads to clear snow from Ministry Landing to Coney.

Made some ice !!

We are now sitting @ 3" of ice and 2" snow on ice as of 07:30 on 9th. Just under 1" snow fell during the night,strong SE winds have whipped the snow around leaving bare patches of ice.Hopeful the colder temps this weekend build ice.