Is the Lake frozen?

[DueSouth]

MI
Heads UP

As of Sunday, there was a lot of open water around the Cattle Landing Dock. It looks like an airboat has been running between the Cattle Landing and Bear Island (just north of Dolly Island) and it broke the ice near the Cattle Landing. It broken and 'chunked -up' and had not refrozen to the point it would support foot traffic.

On top of that, there is a pressure ridge resulting in submerged ice and open water running from the boat house on Dolly Island to a point a couple of hundred feet south of Cattle Landing. A second pressure ridge appears to be running from near Horse Island towards Deep Cove (lately known as "Church Cove").

I saw no safe way to cross from the Cattle Landing directly across to Bear Island. We did, howver, see two deer on the ice jsut off the shore at White Mtn Park on Bear Island.

A friend flew over the route from Cattle Landing to south Bear and saw pretty much what i described and advised me to stay the heck off'n it.

There was no sign of any other activity (no bob houses, no fisherman) in that area, or between Meredith Neck and Mark, Timber, Governor's Island.

Saw my first two snowmobilers of the "winter" on the lake yesterday afternoon - went by Spindle Point towards Meredith Bay - there's about 5" of mixed (white and black) ice in that area.

Stay Safe

[Mink Islander]

I may then get on the ice at Sheps, cross over to the carry in the middle of Bear, cut through by the Keeler compound and hike around from the North side of Bear. Long way around but might be easier. The area between Bear and Pine can be pretty sketchy sometimes.

I've had to cross straight over to Bear before and then portage over to Dolly and get on the ice again on the East side of Dolly to get around the hazards of Cattle Landing. That might work too. There is (was) a small dock east of CL but near the parking lot that has no ice eater near it that may be the way onto the lake in that area if the CL dock area is that messed up.

It will be a nice day for a hike regardless.

Appreciate the heads up.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

I may then get on the ice at Sheps, cross over to the carry in the middle of Bear, cut through by the Keeler compound and hike around from the North side of Bear. Long way around but might be easier. The area between Bear and Pine can be pretty sketchy sometimes.

I've had to cross straight over to Bear before and then portage over to Dolly and get on the ice again on the East side of Dolly to get around the hazards of Cattle Landing. That might work too. There is (was) a small dock east of CL but near the parking lot that has no ice eater near it that may be the way onto the lake in that area if the CL dock area is that messed up.

It will be a nice day for a hike regardless.

Appreciate the heads up.

I'd wait a week or two but that is just me. I am thinking someone is going in the drink this weekend.......hopefully, there won't be any fatalities.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

I'd wait a week or two but that is just me. I am thinking someone is going in the drink this weekend.......hopefully, there won't be any fatalities.

I don't think we are going to make that much more ice. Nights have been cold enough but it hasn't been consistently cold enough during the days to offset the sun and keep the freezing going around the clock.

Not sure if another week or two will matter.

[jerseyonbear]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

I may then get on the ice at Sheps, cross over to the carry in the middle of Bear, cut through by the Keeler compound and hike around from the North side of Bear. Long way around but might be easier. The area between Bear and Pine can be pretty sketchy sometimes.

I've had to cross straight over to Bear before and then portage over to Dolly and get on the ice again on the East side of Dolly to get around the hazards of Cattle Landing. That might work too. There is (was) a small dock east of CL but near the parking lot that has no ice eater near it that may be the way onto the lake in that area if the CL dock area is that messed up.

It will be a nice day for a hike regardless.

Appreciate the heads up.

If you do the carry route say hello to Back of the Moon for me would love to see a picture in the winter

[Bear247]

Thank you sir for the update. It just might not be the year to get to the island during the winter. Here is to an early ice out....

[Lake Charm]

Originally Posted by Bear247

Thank you sir for the update. It just might not be the year to get to the island during the winter. Here is to an early ice out....

Smart money says...."stay off the ice" this year!

[Mink Islander]

Conditions on the lake are highly variable this year. Some bays are well locked in and have seen ample activity (Alton Bay, 19 Mile Bay to name two). I've heard reports of 10" or more of ice. More protected areas have been able to build more ice. Less protected areas, including the larger parts of the lake have not. That's the whole issue.

But that doesn't mean everyone should stay off the ice everywhere. It means you need to be cautious and prepared and know the conditions where you are. Common sense, really.

[Bear247]

Originally Posted by DueSouth

MI
Heads UP

As of Sunday, there was a lot of open water around the Cattle Landing Dock. It looks like an airboat has been running between the Cattle Landing and Bear Island (just north of Dolly Island) and it broke the ice near the Cattle Landing. It broken and 'chunked -up' and had not refrozen to the point it would support foot traffic.

On top of that, there is a pressure ridge resulting in submerged ice and open water running from the boat house on Dolly Island to a point a couple of hundred feet south of Cattle Landing. A second pressure ridge appears to be running from near Horse Island towards Deep Cove (lately known as "Church Cove").

I saw no safe way to cross from the Cattle Landing directly across to Bear Island. We did, howver, see two deer on the ice jsut off the shore at White Mtn Park on Bear Island.

A friend flew over the route from Cattle Landing to south Bear and saw pretty much what i described and advised me to stay the heck off'n it.

There was no sign of any other activity (no bob houses, no fisherman) in that area, or between Meredith Neck and Mark, Timber, Governor's Island.

Saw my first two snowmobilers of the "winter" on the lake yesterday afternoon - went by Spindle Point towards Meredith Bay - there's about 5" of mixed (white and black) ice in that area.

Stay Safe

Thank you sir...

[John A. Birdsall]

I think I heard a report from the Great Al Gore that due to global warming this will be the last year the big lakes in the NE will freeze. If so this will hurt the marinas that store boats for the winter as who in there right mind would put the boats away.

[RLW]

Originally Posted by John A. Birdsall

I think I heard a report from the Great Al Gore that due to global warming this will be the last year the big lakes in the NE will freeze. If so this will hurt the marinas that store boats for the winter as who in there right mind would put the boats away.

Ya, it will be like Florida as people don't even own a trailer as the water comes right to their front doors. It won't be quite that easy up here, but the marinas will be open all year and making big money once Gores global warming gets here.