NHDOLFAN,
If you have never made the trip this time of the year go easy. When in doubt, follow your instincts-don't go. With the seemingly warmer temps and the sun higher in the sky the ice is starting to move around, expand and contract etc. The shore line ice that is absorbing the sunlight in the day is getting soggy and then freezing up at night. You can hear the ice groaning and popping on a sunny day. Along the shoreline be really careful and scout the areas you plan on getting on and off the ice to the land before you commit to a spot. A good set of binoculars as well as polarized sunglasses are needed. The ice will break in large pieces around jetties, bubblers and other more natural land features. You may see solid ice at a distance, but there may be open water in between these pieces with spans over 6 feet across.(More than I can jump across, i don't know what you can do!)Anyway the safest ice at this time of the year is away from the land, watch out for ridgelines and if you see birds hanging out on the ice the chances are high that there is open water around- go easy. Follow the directions previosly given by island girl. It is important that someone locally knows your plan. Consider also wearing a orange or red life jacket and maybe even carry a flare gun- it may save your life if you go in alone. Check out some photo posts from lakes region ariels, they show some past ice movement in the direction you are going from Brewster past Barndoor out across the broads to the end of rattlesnake. Also take note as you go to where you may see other travelers on the lake or islands along the way, they may help you if you get into a pinch. Take pictures for us-
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