Ice in 2017/2018

[Dave M]

Up to Lake today. Meredith Bay has another house. Also there was a tractor with a snow blower cleaning the snow off the Lake in Meredith Bay. Seems to me a truck with a plow would be faster.

Dave M

[BIguy]

Has anyone been on the ice in the area of Shep Brown's or Cattle Landing? Where is the best place to get on the ice? What are the ice conditions like? I'd like to hike out to Bear Island this week.

[pointofview]

Anybody been out by Sandy Island, broads side of Cow or Wingate Cove?

[Mink Islander]

Originally Posted by BIguy

Has anyone been on the ice in the area of Shep Brown's or Cattle Landing? Where is the best place to get on the ice? What are the ice conditions like? I'd like to hike out to Bear Island this week.

I haven't been out et this winter -- a bit laid up due to rotator cuff surgery but..... The usual place to get on the ice at Sheps is around to the left all the way past the showroom building over to where the large barge is parked in the warmer months. That ramp is open in the winter. Sheps runs ice eaters on the docks there and the neighbor to the left does as well but typically there remains a wide safe area to get on the ice.

If you go to Cattle Landing, unless the town of Meredith has changed it's aggressive use of an ice eater around the floating dock, it can be very difficult to safely get on the ice there. Seriously, save a little electricity and drastically shorten the run times. You'll protect the dock just the same without creating a giant pond around what used to be a fabulous access point for that part of the lake. I will usually park in the public parking area and head up the road (west) to the first lakeside driveway. There's a slight embankment there, but that area is free of docks/ice eaters and a popular access point.

Based on the other ice reports, I would expect 10+" of ice in that area. I'd still be quite cautious if you are passing through Cattle Landing (heading east towards Mark Island) and check the ice as you go there until well past Dolly Island.

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

I haven't been out yet this winter --

If you go to Cattle Landing, unless the town of Meredith has changed it's aggressive use of an ice eater around the floating dock, it can be very difficult to safely get on the ice there.

Is a different ice situation at the Cattle Landing town dock for right now ..... looks like the outer, right hand area of the dock is easily doable for going from dock directly to ice, or ice to dock .....so, maybe the ice eaters were re-positioned or something. It looks like you could drive a snowmobile directly up next to the dock, and not get wet, and simply walk onto the dock.

About 3/4 of the dock is surrounded by open water, and 1/4, the outer-right hand, is strong looking ice.

If you fall through the ice and into the water, you'll wish you were wearing a noodle belt!

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Is a different ice situation at the Cattle Landing town dock for right now ..... looks like the outer, right hand area of the dock is easily doable for going from dock directly to ice, or ice to dock .....so, maybe the ice eaters were re-positioned or something. It looks like you could drive a snowmobile directly up next to the dock, and not get wet, and simply walk onto the dock.

About 3/4 of the dock is surrounded by open water, and 1/4, the outer-right hand, is strong looking ice.

If you fall through the ice and into the water, you'll wish you were wearing a noodle belt!

Do you wear your noodle belt 24/7? If you fall out of bed it may cushion the fall.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

If you fall through the ice and into the water, you'll wish you were wearing a noodle belt!

Is that you I see in the treeline FLL with your noodle and velcro mittens???

[On The Edge]

Walked out to Sleepers on Thursday, ice thickness was 12" to 14" on the side facing Rattle snake. The ice was very active making all sorts of noises. Scary but very cool.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by BIguy

Has anyone been on the ice in the area of Shep Brown's or Cattle Landing? Where is the best place to get on the ice? What are the ice conditions like? I'd like to hike out to Bear Island this week.

Was out on Bear today - got on over at Sheps. Getting on near the landing behind the showroom is not a problem, there is a good 8-10" or more where you get on near shore just stay well to the right of the open water where the ice eaters are. Walking out most of the ice is black/clear and since it is was easy to keep an eye on the overall thickness based on the stress cracking. Pretty much seen a consistent 10 to 12" all the way out and through the Bear/Pine island gap. There is a pressure ridge forming (as usual) along the NW shore of Bear which takes a turn towards 3 mile island right around the black top on the NW tip of Bear. Always use caution when approaching those pressure ridges, right now it's good and solid.

As always ice conditions change so due caution should be used, this information is being provided based on my observations today. If you do venture out don't assume what I've seen is consistent everywhere.

Oh and far as the parking situation at Sheps, about 1/4 of the parking lot is plowed.

[NHGUNOWNER]

I fished off Gilford beach Sunday.
14" black ice. As much as 17" in the whiter stuff right at shore. The gate is open and the bobhouses were showing up all day.
I stopped by Meredith after, ran into an acquaintance who told me there's "like twenty inches here"... a fish tale, knowing the individual...lol. I would expect more like what I found in Saunders.