Ice-In 2012-13

[Island Girl]

This is the Official 2012-13 Ice-in Thread. Please post your
comments about this year's Ice-in here.

The Ice-in page (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm) went live this morning at www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm). I moved the webcams that are not working to the bottom of the page. If you have a webcam or know of one, please post the information in this thread and I will add it to the page. If you have a webcam that I have in the defunct section of the ice-in page please let me know if it is ever coming back.

There is ice in Moultonborough Bay and some of the coves. It is typically 33-35 degrees at the Weirs when the broads skims over. The Lake temp as of this morning, reported by the Winnipesaukee Dataphone is 38 degrees. (12-18-2012)

For those of us who are addicted to watching the lake freeze, enjoy. If you are new to the lake, come back often and watch the progress of Ice-in!

Please visit this thread for the latest news and the Ice-in (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm) page for current images of the freezing progress. (Please click on the ads at webcam sites and support the sponsors. This provides revenue to keep the cams alive)

Start the Lake Freeze Dance.... then the Snow Dance, once we have a nice base!


IG :cool:

[MAXUM]

I never paid as much attention to the ice in thread as much as I am this year, of course that's cause I now have a reason to be interested having bought the isl;and camp this year and I'm going through some serious withdrawals. :rolleye2:

Can't wait till the ice locks in and the snow flies. My sleds are ready to go after spending all day last Saturday doing all my pre-season maintenance and checkups.

[Merrymeeting]

With temps at or below freezing for the next few days, and the wind (and waves) finally calm for a bit, we should start to see more ice forming this week.

They are also talking about a significant snowfall in 2 days. The heavy, wet stuff that will make a good base for winter sports, if it lasts.

Merry Christmas!

[Lakesrider]

Both 19 and 20 mile bays were snow covered this morning on my way into work. Looked real slushy on the way home though. Mirror Lake was completly covered this morning as well.

[trfour]

But, the Alton Bay Cam shows that the ice runway isn't quite ready yet...

Alton Bay On Christmas Day 2012.


Terry
________________________________

[Bear Island South]

A little ice starting to form along south bear

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Similar skims of ice across a dead calm Paugus Bay. Snow later and then the cold settles in.

[ishoot308]

I think the heavy winds coming in will break up any and all skim ice on the lake...unfortunately :emb:

[gokart-mozart]

Ice-in at sunup today. Two previous tries (partial coverage) defeated by wind and then rain, but with temps tonight in the teens this should be permanent.

[Merrymeeting]

We've had many Hooded Merganser's hanging around Merrymeeting for the past few weeks. Images here and in Photopost.

Surprisingly, still no ice forming on the lake, though I expect it could happen quickly. Hopefully these guys get out of here before it happens. Especially with the storm predicted for the next 24 hours.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/509/medium/DSC_4730.jpg

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/509/medium/DSC_4730-Edit.jpg

Even more surprising to me was seeing several ice fishermen, and even a bob house, on the ice on the Merrymeeting River. Given the lake has still not frozen, and the fact there are still lots of open areas on the river, I have to say it shocked me to see them out there.

[tis]

We have too. I love the white that they have on their heads.

[Blue Thunder]

Doesn't look too promising at this point. Even though it's going to be very cold the first part of next week, it's also supposed to be windy....time will tell but with the water temps at 36* it shouldn't be too long...

[Merrymeeting]

Still no ice anywhere on Merrymeeting. This wind has been something!

Given water temps and the outside temps this week, I expect that if the wind dies down, it will flash freeze quickly. (Perhaps Thursday if the forecast holds)

[Island Girl]

Could be Thursday night... I am thinking more likely Saturday night into Sunday? The lake is cold enough now.... Just need some calm!

Woo Hoo!
IG

[Pine Island Guy]

after spending the New Year weekend out on the island we came back last night... we were hoping to get one more trip out by boat next weekend, but looks like maybe not, especially with the forecast for the remainder of the week!!!

Happy 2013 to everyone, we're looking forward to it!!

ice ice icey ice -PIG

[Island Girl]

The webcams show lots of icing... Still too windy for the broads.

Soon, very soon.

IG

[Just Sold]

after spending the New Year weekend out on the island we came back last night... we were hoping to get one more trip out by boat next weekend, but looks like maybe not, especially with the forecast for the remainder of the week!!!

Happy 2013 to everyone, we're looking forward to it!!

ice ice icey ice -PIG

You must have a new URL for your web cams. No picture is showing on the link on RattlesnakeCam.com and a couple of others sites. The Pine Island South cam shows an old picture from May 2012. I sure do miss seeing the 2 views.

[Merrymeeting]

There was a lot of skim ice on Merrymeeting early this morning, especially in the coves and bays, with patches of crystals/slush in the open water.

But once the wind came up, it all broke apart and is now mostly gone.

Again, if this wind ever stops for a bit, it will lock in quickly.

[Blue Thunder]

You must have a new URL for your web cams. No picture is showing on the link on RattlesnakeCam.com and a couple of others sites. The Pine Island South cam shows an old picture from May 2012. I sure do miss seeing the 2 views.



http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm

[Pine Island Guy]

sunrise this morning shows a pretty good sheet of ice. yesterday it got broken up with the wind, we'll see what happens today...

Just Sold: Sorry about the mixup on the URL it is: www.charlesyoung.com/pineislandeast.jpg and updates every 10 seconds... the other is pineislandsouth.jpg, unfortunately the cam is on the fritz, but hoping I can get it going shortly...

-PIG

[HellRaZoR004]

sunrise this morning shows a pretty good sheet of ice. yesterday it got broken up with the wind, we'll see what happens today...

Just Sold: Sorry about the mixup on the URL it is: www.charlesyoung.com/pineislandeast.jpg and updates every 10 seconds... the other is pineislandsouth.jpg, unfortunately the cam is on the fritz, but hoping I can get it going shortly...

-PIG

Can I assume you have bubblers going to protect the dock from ice, almost looks like it? How well do those work for you?

[Merrymeeting]

Again, if this wind ever stops for a bit, it will lock in quickly.

As suspected, Merrymeeting froze up once the winds died. It looks pretty solid right now, and there are no more open areas of water. I doubt a wind would touch it much today. Looks like we can declare Ice-in on Merrymeeting.

[Woodsy]

Paugus bay caught last night! WOOHOO!

[upthesaukee]

The bay had heavier ice out to Sandy point and clear skim of ice out to Echo Pt as of yesterday afternoon. 1-2.

[BoulderBronco]

Did the Broads and Meredith Bay freeze also?

[Bear Island South]

Not much happening here...looks like some ice chunks blew in.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Paugus Bay was looking pretty iced up, as far as I could see this morning.

[AC2717]

Paugus Bay was looking pretty iced up, as far as I could see this morning. Looking south toward Lakeport. The wind tore the ice up yesterday but overnight it re-formed quickly. My circulator is keeping up with the formation, using it a couple times daily now.

PFF, I know exactly where you are now! :D
that little complex was for sale this year, did you purchase the whole place, or did it get divided up?

[ishoot308]

Here's the Glendale Dock area taken this A.M.. It skimmed over last night to about 100 yds out. Yes those boats are frozen in. Island Support and someone else will be chipping them out today I presume...

Another 7-10 days for ice in I predict...

Dan

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

PFF, I know exactly where you are now! :D
that little complex was for sale this year, did you purchase the whole place, or did it get divided up?
I'm not too sure if we are talking about the same complex. There was a piece of land with cottages for sale. We have 3 houses on a big lot. It's technically an "assosiation" but the 3 homes are family...can't wait to get back there Memorial Day!
But for now, it's all about the ICE!

[AC2717]

thank you PFF
yup you are correct on what I was talking about, and I know your place very well, might catch me fishing out there, in a black nitro with teal stripe

back on target bring on the ice, cannot wait for the derby!!!! and Hockey!!!!

[VitaBene]

I'm not too sure if we are talking about the same complex. There was a piece of land with cottages for sale at the end of the road, not sure if it sold. Our family property has been purchased for about 5-6 years. We have 3 houses on a big lot. It's technically an "assosiation" but the 3 homes are all ours. It's an amazing set up for a big family. My wife and I are the only full timers, as of this year. This warmer picture is the property from the lake's view...can't wait for Memorial Day!
But for now, it's all about the ICE!

Fun place!!

[Merrymeeting]

Once it starts, given this weather, it's pretty amazing how quickly it happens.

While I'm still not ready to venture out onto the ice just yet, the ice along the shoreline and ~30yrds out is now 4-5" thick. This in areas where there was open water at this time yesterday.

[upthesaukee]

Alton Bay as seen from Alton Mtn Rd. today.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/510/medium/IMAG0346-1.jpg

Ice is out almost to Little Mark Is.

[codeman671]

My cameras show that mark island iced in about 100 feet out from shore facing bear overnight for the first time of the season. It has been open water until today.

[Island Girl]

The weather stations around the lake are reporting almost no wind. This could be it.... In the morning go to www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm to see!

IG. :coolsm:

[Island Girl]

No ice this morning... Next shot at it might be overnight Saturday.

IG

[Pine Island Guy]

yesterday it was from the shore to the light buoy, today it looks like frozen all the way over to Moultonborough Neck...

I don't think we'll be walking out this weekend, but it shoud be soon :)

-PIG

[Bear Island South]

and overnight Bear Island South Cove froze in all the way over to Mark Is.

[tis]

But next week is going to warm up and probably rain Thurs./Fri.

[sum-r breeze]

I'm not too sure if we are talking about the same complex. There was a piece of land with cottages for sale at the end of the road, not sure if it sold. Our family property has been purchased for about 5-6 years. We have 3 houses on a big lot. It's technically an "assosiation" but the 3 homes are all ours. It's an amazing set up for a big family. My wife and I are the only full timers, as of this year. This warmer picture is the property from the lake's view...can't wait for Memorial Day!
But for now, it's all about the ICE!

I think I know that guy! Love the shot of the kids on the jetski! Franca and I will be in touch to do dinner soon. We have a couple of weekends planned to come up to the lake to enjoy the Winter season. Ice is slowly coming in and before long you'll be serenaded by the songs of snowmobiles at 3 AM screaming across Paugus Bay. Say Hi to Beth

The Breeze
AKA Walter Santoro
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back:D

[webmaster]

Meredith Bay at the Weirs is iced over this morning for the first time this season.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Walter...can't wait..we will be up often.Kiss Franca!

[Kings Bluff]

7197
It looks like Alton Bay is frozen out to the Broads.

[Sea Ya On The beach]

So far so good, will be constantly looking for updates as the Pond Hockey Classic nears (Feb 1st-3rd)

[ishoot308]

Don't let the bays and coves fool you. There is still massive open water on the majority of the lake. Here is my cam on Welch looking West, that's Lockes Island at center left and the witches and Governors Island at center right.

Be careful;

Dan

[Slickcraft]

The view from the top of Gunstock showed a lot of open water; north of Rattlesnake up past Welch and out across the Broads.

Nice skiing today at Gunstock, we are doing our best to get our monies worth out of the $129 season passes.:D

[Bear Island South]

the wind taketh away

[BoulderBronco]

the wind taketh away
:( Doooohhh!

[Island Girl]

Is the night!

[Chaselady]

4 wheelers out on 20 mile bay.....I hope they're not pushing their luck. Bob houses are showing up ( near shore) at 19 mile bay beach.

[Slickcraft]

Looking out from Scenic Dr and Belknap Pt this afternoon does not give me the impression of impending ice-in.
It would probably take a dose of "ice-nine" but then I would not recommend that.:rolleye2:

[Resident 2B]

16 degrees outside here at the Weirs and no wind at all. Good weather for lake icing!:D

Great fire going in the fireplace. :):)

R2B

[Webbsatwinni]

I know its fragile and the wind and the warmth next week will be an issue, but it's nice to see the ice cover in the broads.

Thanks IG for making it all possible!

[fatlazyless]

Did ice-out get started last night? Between yesterday and right now, today, all the ice on Snake Eyes and Governor's Isl cams show 100% open water and yesterday both were iced over, so me-thinks that ice-out happened last night? And, Snake Eye's is showing open water with white caps!

The next five days are predicted to be a big warm-up as well so things are not looking too good right now for ice-in fans! Tuesday and Wednesday says winds will be about 15-mph ....... so ...... ?

Say-hey.....the only good ice is the ice cube in my iced lemonaid!

[codeman671]

Here is todays view from Mark facing Camp Lawrence.

[Kings Bluff]

7211

Did we somehow miss Winter? It looks like Alton Bay went from Ice-in to Ice_out in 3 days.:)

[Lakegeezer]

Looking at the ice-in cams (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm), I am not seeing any open water, other than what is likely near-shore bubblers. Can we declare ice-in?

Looking at the responses, I guess not!

[Belmont Resident]

Looking at the ice-in cams (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm), I am not seeing any open water, other than what is likely near-shore bubblers. Can we declare ice-in?

Looked like there was still open water in Meredith bay, after today I'm sure there will be more opening up. Temps in the 50's coming this weekend.

[ishoot308]

Looking at the ice-in cams (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm), I am not seeing any open water, other than what is likely near-shore bubblers. Can we declare ice-in?

From Welch Island, open water everywhere!

[Kings Bluff]

The ice goes in, the ice goes out.
The ice goes in, and you shake it all about.
Lets to the Hokey Pokey . . . . . :laugh:

[Winnisquamguy]

Looking at the ice-in cams (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm), I am not seeing any open water, other than what is likely near-shore bubblers. Can we declare ice-in?

Looking at the responses, I guess not!
Have you had a chance to read or look at the weather forecast? We will not be getting cold again until around the 15-16 of the month. I would say we will be starting over.

[fatlazyless]

Chopped away about 1/2" ice and finally got my boat lift and dock all in today, so ice-in may now begin......bring it on......baby.......ice-in happens to those who don't plan ahead!

[hilltopper]

Have you had a chance to read or look at the weather forecast? We will not be getting cold again until around the 15-16 of the month. I would say we will be starting over.

Let's hope little snow and inconsistent/sketchy ice are not the new normal...:(

[fatlazyless]

Looks like the ice shown on Snake Eyes has returned to open water wiith the wind and warmer temps, but so far the Gov Isl cam is showing all ice.......now that I took my boatlift and dock out on Tuesday.....that pretty much guarantees all the Gov Isl ice will soon be open water....never should have removed that boatlift.....dang-it.......that is one unbelievable work of engineering removing a 450-lb, 10' x 10' x 6' boatlift up and over a six foot high rocky embankment all by myself.......budda-bing-bang-boom!
.......

And, about 40-minutes later.......say-hey.....is that some open water now showing on the upper left hand area of the Gov Isl cam......it well could be some new open water there?

[Belmont Resident]

[QUOTE=fatlazyless;196755]Looks like the ice shown on Snake Eyes has returned to open water wiith the wind and warmer temps, but so far the Gov Isl cam is showing all ice.......now that I took my boatlift and dock out on Tuesday.....that pretty much guarantees all the Gov Isl ice will soon be open water....never should have removed that boatlift.....dang-it.......that is one unbelievable work of engineering removing a 450-lb, 10' x 10' x 6' boatlift up and over a six foot high rocky embankment all by myself.......budda-bing-bang-boom!
.......

Maybe if you had friends they could give you a hand.....:rolleye2: :rolleye2:
Not stealing from Lowes and then bragging about it on a forum may help

[Belmont Resident]

Wind and warmth, not a good sign.
I'm not sure which is worse for melting, a warm wind or a cold rain.
It does look like the middle of the week will bring colder temps with the possibility of a storm. Hopefully in the form of snow.
From the reports I'm seeing it has been staying below freezing up north with temps down near zero at night. Great for grooming the snowmobile trails, in fact a short warm up should actually help with the base.
Unfortunately after this weekend we will be at or near bare ground again.

[Rusty]

fatlazyless; Looks like the ice shown on Snake Eyes has returned to open water wiith the wind and warmer temps, but so far the Gov Isl cam is showing all ice.......now that I took my boatlift and dock out on Tuesday.....that pretty much guarantees all the Gov Isl ice will soon be open water....never should have removed that boatlift.....dang-it.......that is one unbelievable work of engineering removing a 450-lb, 10' x 10' x 6' boatlift up and over a six foot high rocky embankment all by myself.......budda-bing-bang-boom!
.......

Maybe if you had friends they could give you a hand.....:rolleye2: :rolleye2:
Not stealing from Lowes and then bragging about it on a forum may help

Definition of steal: Take another person's property without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.

I think your accusations are pretty much uncalled for and that Don should moderate some of your comments.

From what I've read, FLL didn't "steal" anything from Lowes.

[fatlazyless]

Putting together three ten foot boards and a couple 2x4's to build a ramp plus tying a temporary winch to a tree lets me remove my dock and boatlift all by myself, and basically do the work of four strong guys; to remove a 450-lb boatlift up the six foot embankment. Plus, it gives me the flexability to wait until the very last minute of ice-in.....this year there was about 1/2" of ice to chop up....plus trying to assemble three guys for dock removal is a huge hassle & big expense....plus I'd rather save the expense money for items like electricity and groceries and gasoline......so thanks for your good faith!:rolleye2:

[DEJ]

I think your accusations are pretty much uncalled for and that Don should moderate some of your comments.

Rusty, with all due respect some of your comments have IMO been boarderline also. If Don moderated all of the comments/statements made on this forum there would not be much activity. ALL of us have posted questionable content, Don will take care of this if he see's a problem.

[Belmont Resident]

Definition of steal: Take another person's property without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.

I think your accusations are pretty much uncalled for and that Don should moderate some of your comments.

From what I've read, FLL didn't "steal" anything from Lowes.

Rusty you may want to explore the topic before commenting.
Many, not just myself would call purchasing something to use for 3 months then returning it to the store as an unused product stealing.
Maybe you wouldn't mind purchasing a used product thinking it was brand new but I would.
I'm not even going to waste my time pointing out the thread because after some of your recent comments your opinion means nothing to me. There have been others like yourself and they usually just go away with time.
Hint, hint...

[meredith weekender]

Rusty you may want to explore the topic before commenting.
Many, not just myself would call purchasing something to use for 3 months then returning it to the store as an unused product stealing.
Maybe you wouldn't mind purchasing a used product thinking it was brand new but I would.
I'm not even going to waste my time pointing out the thread because after some of your recent comments your opinion means nothing to me. There have been others like yourself and they usually just go away with time.
Hint, hint...



NONE of the crap posted in the last few posts has anything to do with the lake or with ice in /ice out. Can't we all just get along and play nice. :)

[meredith weekender]

Now back to our regularly scheduled posts about the ice. The ice in Meredith Bay seems to be retreating. Hopefully my pic got attached.

[fatlazyless]

What had been a solid sheet of thin ice yesterday, maybe 1/2 to one inch or maybe two inches (?) thick, stretching for about two or three miles from Bear Island to Mark to Timber to Governor's is now mostly open water with some large ice sheets left intact that are getting moved about by the 10-mph winds.

In the passage between Bear Island and Cattle Landing, yesterdays solid ice has been replaced by open water for about a quarter mile north of the Cattle Landing town dock. Seems like yesterday's solid albeit thin ice cover just did not have the strength to withstand today's wind and warm temps and sunshine.

Big phooeey here....never needed to remove my boat....could be fly fishing for smallies today off that 12-million dollar, medieval castle-style home known as "The Dealer Ship" on the southern point of Governor's Island.......boo-hoo!

[meredith weekender]

What had been a solid sheet of thin ice yesterday, maybe 1/2 to one inch or maybe two inches (?) thick, stretching for about two or three miles from Bear Island to Mark to Timber to Governor's is now mostly open water with some large ice sheets left intact that are getting moved about by the 10-mph winds.

In the passage between Bear Island and Cattle Landing, yesterdays solid ice has been replaced by open water for about a quarter mile north of the Cattle Landing town dock. Seems like yesterday's solid albeit thin ice cover just did not have the strength to withstand today's wind and warm temps and sunshine.

Big phooeey here....never needed to remove my boat....could be fly fishing for smallies today off that 12-million dollar, medieval castle-style home known as "The Dealer Ship" on the southern point of Governor's Island.......boo-hoo!


Next time you should watch the weather forecast before removing your toys. LOL

[HellRaZoR004]

So. Who keeps track of the ice-in dates year after year? Are we normal for this time of year, late...a quantitative answer would be helpful... Thanks!

[Webbsatwinni]

Who is running a water taxi this weekend? I was so geared up to take the sleds to the island and now we wait again.

Come one, someone must be able to!

:D

[tis]

Be patient. The broads almost never freeze over before the third week of Jan.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

So. Who keeps track of the ice-in dates year after year? Are we normal for this time of year, late...a quantitative answer would be helpful... Thanks!
According to David Emerson "ice in" usually occurs the 3rd week of January, that isn't happening this year.
Paugus Bay is back to ice this morning but lost a lot of it yesterday. With temps above normal through the weekend and a bit of rain and wind in the forecast, I would guess Paugus will be wet come Monday. Favorable ice temps wont return until mid-week. The rest of the lake is pretty much open water already.
Since last spring's "ice out" was the earliest on record and this years "ice in" is going to be later than normal, are we looking at a record number of days of "ice out"??
It will be well over 300 days of "ice out" before we are declared "ice in".

67 days till spring!

[Island Girl]

The lake temperature is 36 degrees... I have not seen it freeze over when it was greater than 35. On the other hand.... The lake has skimmed over in early January, then thawed, then skimmed over in late January and became safe to ride snowmobiles on in early February. In my humble opinion, Ice-In is when the lake is iced over enough to take hold, not necessarily safe ....

To me the most miraculous thing is to look at Snake Eyes one day and see open water, and to wake up the next morning and see it solid!!!

This is all FLLs fault for taking his boat lift out! ;)

[Blue Thunder]

The lake temperature is 36 degrees... I have not seen it freeze over when it was greater than 35. On the other hand.... The lake has skimmed over in early January, then thawed, then skimmed over in late January and became safe to ride snowmobiles on in early February. In my humble opinion, Ice-In is when the lake is iced over enough to take hold, not necessarily safe ....

To me the most miraculous thing is to look at Snake Eyes one day and see open water, and to wake up the next morning and see it solid!!!

This is all FLLs fault for taking his boat lift out! ;)

All is not lost just yet....the long range outlook is for much colder than "normal" weather to arrive in the northeast the end of next week and as it looks now may hang around for a while. Hang in there. The 36 degree water is a result of the ferocious winds of yesterday turning the lake over a bit. I would expect it to drop back down after this warm spell.

[codeman671]

All is not lost just yet....

All is not lost? I call this a win! I am more excited about getting back on the water by boat than on a sled. Open water for a while longer will prevent me from doing something foolish like buying another airboat...

What does Glendale look like right now? I was just talking to a friend that was thinking of splashing a boat on Sunday and going for a ride. It would beat my latest day on the water previously of Jan 6th (the lake iced in on the 7th that year).

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

There's a guy pulling a sled across Paugus Bay between Big and Little Islands as I type...he's alone and nuts, IMO. Wait, now another has ventured on to the ice. Not a chance I'd take. And I have a lot of experience falling through the ice..

[Merrymeeting]

I know they've been there for a few days to a week, but I assume that the perfectly straight lines showing on the ice on the WeirsCam are from a future Darwin Award candidate as opposed to cracks?

[Bear Island South]

The ice is still hanging on...however the ice/water line is where the cove is protected from the wind.

[webmaster]

Lakes Region Aerial Photography has posted a few good pictures of the ice on their Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151409173198899

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151409003133899

[BoulderBronco]

Looks like the Meredith Bay ice held strong through the warm temps (at the Weirs anyway). Now bring on the COLD!

[Hamiltony]

Keep the updates coming! My brother's and I are planning to come up to "camp" (in our un-insulated house on Bear across from Cattle Landing) the first weekend in March. Last year we had to cancel and hike Mt. Monadnock instead because we didn't think it'd be safe to get across the ice, but we'd much rather be on Winnipesaukee.

[JMR]

South side, sunny side of Rattlesnake Island. No ice

[fatlazyless]

....not only no ice.....there's also no snow on the ground either......January 14 and no snow on the ground......how's about them apples for some not-too-good snowmobiling conditions.......if anything......it looks like a good day to go rake up some more of the leaves that never got raked!

[fatlazyless]

Looks like the Meredith Bay ice held strong through the warm temps (at the Weirs anyway). Now bring on the COLD!

Today, a big area of open water in Meredith Bay just out front of that 10-million dollar? plus log style cabin-mansion now under construction, land and building, that supposedly belongs to some pro wrestler.... can be seen from the waterfront gazebo in front of the Church Point Hotel.

[HomeWood]

This ice in is really depressing so far.

[Webbsatwinni]

South side, sunny side of Rattlesnake Island. No ice

JMR, Where did you launch from? Was there ice on the broads side?

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Back to back arctic blasts are coming in for the next couple weeks after a couple inches of snow tomorrow. Not sure about the trails, but the ice is going to get the weather you ice lovers are looking for.

[Belmont Resident]

Back to back arctic blasts are coming in for the next couple weeks after a couple inches of snow tomorrow. Not sure about the trails, but the ice is going to get the weather you ice lovers are looking for.

No snow left in Belmont and from what I have seen of Gilford.
I had two, foot size chunks that I kicked off behind the front tires after the last storm. Nothing left of them.
I just read on Facebook the even as far north as Greenville Maine some of the trails are down to dirt.
I hope tomorrows snow turns into more then 2-4 inches. :(
Another year with no snowmobiling in the lakes region? :cool:

[Winnisquamguy]

No snow left in Belmont and from what I have seen of Gilford.
I had two, foot size chunks that I kicked off behind the front tires after the last storm. Nothing left of them.
I just read on Facebook the even as far north as Greenville Maine some of the trails are down to dirt.
I hope tomorrows snow turns into more then 2-4 inches. :(
Another year with no snowmobiling in the lakes region? :cool:
They are reporting a few storms in January and they have freezing temp into February right now...some nights in are in the minuses. Bundle up...60 degrees, then next day or so we are getting 2-4 inches of snow.

[ishoot308]

The snow on my dock is gone and no ice in sight anywhere!! I sure hope something cold happens soon!!

[AC2717]

this is so upsetting

[Belmont Resident]

I just drove by the bay and the ice looks the same as it does just before ice out.:eek::eek:

[BoulderBronco]

I just drove by the bay and the ice looks the same as it does just before ice out.:eek::eek:
Which bay?

I'm not worried. Average temps in the low-mid teens for the next ten days has ice written all over it. Just need some snow, but after the ice re-freezes solid.

[Resident 2B]

Looking at the weather forecasts and knowing what we need to form the initial skim of ice, it really does not look that good. We need cold temps and no wind to form the initial skim coat of ice. We will have the cold temps the next five days, but we will have more wind than is ideal. Thursday night looks like the best bet for ice to form, but it gets windy again for the weekend.

It looks to me like the snow tonight will be in the 3 to 5 inch range around the lake. It looks like less up north. This snow will cool the surface water which is good. My concern is it will also form an insulating layer over the ice that still holds in the bays, potentially making that ice relatively poor quality the rest of the season.

I wish the news was better, but right now it is not great. Still a lot of winter to come, but we are at the halfway point of meteorological winter, December, January and February, and what we have is not what we usually have.

R2B

[Blue Thunder]

Looking at the weather forecasts and knowing what we need to form the initial skim of ice, it really does not look that good. We need cold temps and no wind to form the initial skim coat of ice. We will have the cold temps the next five days, but we will have more wind than is ideal. Thursday night looks like the best bet for ice to form, but it gets windy again for the weekend.

It looks to me like the snow tonight will be in the 3 to 5 inch range around the lake. It looks like less up north. This snow will cool the surface water which is good. My concern is it will also form an insulating layer over the ice that still holds in the bays, potentially making that ice relatively poor quality the rest of the season.

I wish the news was better, but right now it is not great. Still a lot of winter to come, but we are at the halfway point of meteorological winter, December, January and February, and what we have is not what we usually have.

R2B

Nearly all of the long range guidance is progging tremendous cold beginning next week. Do you (as a fellow weather follower) not see this?

BT

[JMR]

The photo taken by friend, who launched a pontoon boat from Ames Farm, but due to wind did not go around to the Broad side. But Snakeeyes does not show ice in Broads

[Belmont Resident]

Nearly all of the long range guidance is progging tremendous cold beginning next week. Do you (as a fellow weather follower) not see this?

BT

Hopefully it also brings some big snowfall as well. I just had the transfer case rebuilt and a new turbo put in my plow truck. :cool:

[Resident 2B]

Nearly all of the long range guidance is progging tremendous cold beginning next week. Do you (as a fellow weather follower) not see this?

BT


As stated, I was only looking out five days, that is through Sunday. It could get very cold after that, but I was not looking at that timeframe.

R2B

[hilltopper]

Nearly all of the long range guidance is progging tremendous cold beginning next week. Do you (as a fellow weather follower) not see this?

BT

Temperature-wise, from what I see, we will have an average to below average stretch for about 8 days (1/21ish to 1/28ish) after which we go above average again. This is from looking at a few different forecasts.

Disclaimer: I don't trust any Winter forecasts beyond the 72 hour time range...

[Bear Island South]

My concern is it will also form an insulating layer over the ice that still holds in the bays, potentially making that ice relatively poor quality the rest of the season.
R2B

Fresh layer of snow...probably not helping with the ice-in process. :(

[Resident 2B]

Well it is certainly cold now, will warm up a bit tomorrow, then get very cold for next week. However, for the next five days the wind looks to be up and ice does not form on open water when the wind is blowing.

We need a big, fat high pressure system to sit over us for a night or two to get the ice going. I just do not see one out there willing to do this in the next week.

I wish the news was better.

R2B

[ITD]

First bob house on Meredith by the boat launch, didn't venture on the ice myself.

[Bear Island South]

The rinks are starting to take shape in Meredith Bay...nice stretch of cold weather coming to help out.
Picture is from a post by Lakeside Deli on Facebook.

[winnipiseogee]

The rinks are starting to take shape in Meredith Bay...nice stretch of cold weather coming to help out.
Picture is from a post by Lakeside Deli on Facebook.

Love to see it!! Nothing like that hockey tournament happening on the bay!

[Mink Islander]

Wondering what the channel between Mark and Bear is looking like these days. Weather permitting I may venture out next weekend.

[Bear Island South]

Wondering what the channel between Mark and Bear is looking like these days. Weather permitting I may venture out next weekend.

It looks like open water on the north end of Mark Is., still too early you need a report from FLL on the Cattle to Bear area.

[BlackCatIslander]

Yesterday was a great day for skiing although a wee bit on the chilly side. The visibility was remarkable. We couldn't remember when so much of the lake was wide open at this time in January.

[Mink Islander]

It looks like open water on the north end of Mark Is., still too early you need a report from FLL on the Cattle to Bear area.

Will be interesting to see how quickly things change this week with the very cold weather. I'm sure FLL will keep us informed. Wondering whether the ice boat is chewing up things at Cattle Landing as well.

[oldflounder]

Center Harbor iced in as far as the eye can see - 3 or 4 small huts on the ice near shore - many individuals on the ice fishing with tubs.
S. Paugus Bay iced in - several individuals on the ice pulling tubs.
Ahern Park/Winnisquam - no ice as far as the eye can see - rough open water.
Other small ponds in the area all iced up but no huts.
Meredith bay - still only the Derby's hut - lots of open water around the docks/circulators.

[Bear Island South]

Wondering whether the ice boat is chewing up things at Cattle Landing as well.

We caught a ride to the island back on New Years Eve with Island Services, we were told they will be working on the east side of Bear and Little Bear this winter. Cattle should be in good shape.

[hilltopper]

Center Harbor iced in as far as the eye can see - 3 or 4 small huts on the ice near shore - many individuals on the ice fishing with tubs.
S. Paugus Bay iced in - several individuals on the ice pulling tubs.
Ahern Park/Winnisquam - no ice as far as the eye can see - rough open water.
Other small ponds in the area all iced up but no huts.
Meredith bay - still only the Derby's hut - lots of open water around the docks/circulators.

Meredith Bay this morning - Two bobhouses and 1 truck on the ice (along with about 20 skating rinks).

[ishoot308]

When I woke up this morning I looked out over the lake to see a lot of ice formations in the broads. 20 minutes later the wind picked up and all the ice was gone!

With the wild winds we have coming today I think we are going to lose a lot of the shore ice that just recently formed all along Belknap point and Ellacoya State Park area.

[meredith weekender]

The winds are really picking up and th open water area is growing this afternoon. Even with the cold coming, it's going be tough o freeze over the open water.

[MAXUM]

Ice Report 1/20/2013

Vantage point from Sheps looking towards Bear Island. Ice was locked in well between Sheps south to Cattle landing (pic from there to follow)

Dark areas between pine and bear island are frozen over but with no snow it looks from the pics like open water, however it is black ice.

I would say that the ice "looked" good enough to walk out on all the way to bear but there is no good ice along the immediate shore near sheps to get out on yet. The access point way over near the beach over by the docks was not very well covered, just skimmed a bit. After this week I got to believe it will be plenty thick to walk out on possibly enough to hold a sled.

[MAXUM]

First looking to the north, second straight across third to the south. This is the southern break point for the main sheet of ice between the mainland and bear. To the south was open water. the leading edge of the ice was black and freshly formed. Looking beyond the leading edge of the ice between bear and timber can be seen The area between bear, timber and governor's islands all open water.

[MAXUM]

First pic from Y-Landing looking south towards Bear and across at Pine. That channel was open water.

The last two end of Meredith bay and the ice rinks. Quite a few folks out there enjoying the rinks, and more bob houses have shown up, sleds and ATVs tooling around but not very far out. One guy took a pickup out there, not sure how thick the ice is but for what it's worth the truck was not in the drink!

[MAXUM]

From Governor's Island bridge, first looking north, the next south, then the last looking south from just before the bridge. Most of the area south of the GI bridge is either open water, or has a skim that had water on it, either way whatever ice was there was newly formed and hard to see. Beyond there all open water. From Eagle Island to Governors, over to Timber and on south all open water. From Glendale out to welch and beyond all open water. Broads all open water.

[MAXUM]

Fianlly ended the day in Alton Bay which is frozen all the way out to the opening to the broads. Did some ice fishing by the band stand, good 12" of ice and lots of bob houses out there.

As a bonus, a couple of pics of these "wicked cool" ducks, they were hanging around Shep but the blasted things were awful skiddish cause I couldn't sneak up on them enough to get a good close up, but they are really pretty. I don't have a fancy lens for my camera so these were as close as I could get. They would take off every time I made a move to get a wee bit closer. Buggers!

That's it for pics, cold weather should really firm up what ice is there, everything that is still open, who the heck knows.

[Bear Island South]

Maxum,

Thanks for that great ice report, as the saying goes "a picture is worth a thousand words".
I nominate you as the official ice reporter. :D

[MAXUM]

Well if the truth be told I had the keys to my camp in my pocket hoping there was a chance I could safely cross. I have no doubt the ice between BI and the mainland north of Cattle landing and south of Sheps would be fine to walk across, but where to access to the shore in that area? Being on the NE side of Bear that's a pretty good hike to get out there but I would have!

I was also attempting to scope out where I could park the truck and trailer for an overnighter as well as unload the sleds and get on the ice. I got stuff I need to move out over the ice and hmm not sure where a good starting point will be.

[Bear Island South]

I was also attempting to scope out where I could park the truck and trailer for an overnighter as well as unload the sleds and get on the ice. I got stuff I need to move out over the ice and hmm not sure where a good starting point will be.

If you are going NE Bear, I would use Shep Browns. When the ice is good you can access from the landing that is past the Showroom building, should be far enough away from the docks and bubblers.

Good Luck! We are hoping to get over the first weekend of Feburary.

[Webbsatwinni]

We stopped by the lake on the way back from a snowmobiling trip up north, we drove around and although we see it on the web cams, we were surprised by the lack ice from the shore at Ames Farms to Rattlesnake.

Made me want to take the boat out.

[magicrobotmonkey]

Took a couple shots of the broads from Lockes Hill in gilford this afternoon. Definitely wide open, but you can see the bays all locked up in the background.

https://plus.google.com/u/1/114499691016010998903/posts/4NFQC8YWN5c

[fatlazyless]

As of 5-pm today, Monday, Jan 21, the area between Gov-Timber-Mark-Bear-Cattle Landing-Horse and Meredith Neck is all open water for now. On Saturday there had been a areas of newly formed ice that extended out from the shore for maybe 100-yards but the winds on Sunday minimilized the ice back to water.

Is the water temperature at the Lakeport Dam still a relatively warm 36-degrees?

[BoulderBronco]

Tonight is the night. Whole lake frozen by tomorrow morning.

[Resident 2B]

Tonight is the night. Whole lake frozen by tomorrow morning.

I wish you were right, but the wind is now back. Forecast calls for wind until at least Thursday night. It is cold, but the wind is ruling the lake right now.

R2B

[BoBo]

Dropped off bobhouse Sunday. Fished last night but did not go far out. 6" in cove but not willing to go up to Plum Island yet.

[Webbsatwinni]

ig, are those old pics posted?:D What a difference a day makes.

[Island Girl]

Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Click on the image for the huge version

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/510/medium/jpeg.jpg (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/510/jpeg.jpg)

[rsmlp]

last post I see is dated about a week ago. i suspect with this weeks frigid temps ice in a far more likely prospect?

[Mink Islander]

And it was great to see the Broads locked in over night!

After last winter, it's good to see us back to a "typical" ice in timeline again.

[ishoot308]

Looks like she locked up around Welch last night as well!! :)

[MAXUM]

Is it time for the official ice out thread to begin? :emb:

[RLW]

Dropped off bobhouse Sunday. Fished last night but did not go far out. 6" in cove but not willing to go up to Plum Island yet.


http://i44.tinypic.com/1499wms.gif BoBo, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends. It will not be to long that you will be able to move the house anywhere on the lake to drop your line, ya something trolling in ya boat. LOL:)

http://i54.tinypic.com/2e56yqf.gif

[Slickcraft]

Looking out from the summit this morning it appeared to all be iced over. There were some areas darker than others like east of Welch so we can't be sure.

If not today then tomorrow morning for sure but we don't plan to ride the lift up tomorrow.:eek:

[welchislandman]

Cove skimmed overnight

[Blue Thunder]

looks very promising......as is the case more often than not, Sebago Lake (to the right) remains wide open.

BT

[RANGER CANOE CO]

Being the "warmest summer" on record. Is this "ice in" later than usual ?

Thx's :)

[JB Long Island]

Looks like the skim ice from last night is holding up even with the wind today- and with the deep freeze are we finally good to go now ?
Currious what the ice-in experts have to say !

[ishoot308]

Looks like the skim ice from last night is holding up even with the wind today- and with the deep freeze are we finally good to go now ?
Currious what the ice-in experts have to say !

Well I'm no expert but I would certainly say this is it!! I would consider today as ICE IN 2013!! :cheers:

Dan

[Island Girl]

I think we are in.... but need to see pics from Lincoln Park and Wolfeboro Neck to be sure... I am not the official caller... though I did not know we had one for ice-in as there is no official definition as there is for ice-out.

My definition is that there is enough ice to hold in the wind and a minor rain storm. The cold for the next few days should thicken things up a bit more.

IG :coolsm:

[Sal]

I just drove north on Rt. 11 and, from the "scenic view", there is no open water visible. Looks like it's "IN".

[nightrider]

I was ice fishing Sunday on the east shore of winter harbor opposite the mouth of the bay to the broads. The wind was blowing strong from the west. I was on 4" of decent ice. The ice extended from where I was out to about 3/4of the way to the mouth of the bay and it was wide open from there about 6 miles to the other side of the lake. Early in the day, a very small area on water at the very edge of the shore where I was fishing was moving slightly as the energy from the waves a half mile away traveled under the ice and reached the shore. As the day progressed, and the wind strengthened, and the waves reached 3 or 4 feet as they crashed into the edge of the ice from the broads, the ice where I was fishing had to be moving up and down at least 3 or 4 inches (maybe more) from the wave energy traveling under the ice. Close to shore, the ice began to develop cracks from the undulating waves. My bait bucket in two feet of water, suspended from a line about 3 feet above the ice, was moving in the water about a foot back and forth in the water. Water would be pouring through the cracks as the underwater wave came in and it would just as quickly drain away as the wave receded. I never fished or went beyond 5' of water depth, by the way, just in case. I called it a day at half time of the first game. All in all it was an interesting day on the ice. As I found out Monday morning, the ice continued to crack into large ice floes well past where I was fishing, but amazingly enough, my bait bucket and the limb in the ice from which it was suspended, was intact in the center of one of the ice floes. Everything froze together hard Sunday night and Monday was another great day of fishing. Caught a nice rainbow in dark colors Sunday and another still in bright summer colors yesterday. The green Shanty launch will be done this Saturday. Stop by and say hello to the Nightrider if you're in the neighborhood. There may be a cold beverage in it for you.

[Resident 2B]

Although I am very surprised that the lake locked up last night given the wind, it did. In addition, with the wind during the day yesterday, the ice held. It looks like the whole lake is frozen and with the very cold weather, we should have great, black ice everywhere.

In a few days, with the forecasted cold weather, it should become very safe. Much better result than I thought, but I am very happy I was wrong. Currently at 1 AM, it is 3 degrees near the Weirs and the ice is loudly "talking". This means it is getting thinker, quickly. Sounds great to me!

Enjoy winter while it is here. Be safe out there!

R2B

[Blue Thunder]

I think we are in.... but need to see pics from Lincoln Park and Wolfeboro Neck to be sure... I am not the official caller... though I did not know we had one for ice-in as there is no official definition as there is for ice-out.

My definition is that there is enough ice to hold in the wind and a minor rain storm. The cold for the next few days should thicken things up a bit more.

IG :coolsm:

I think you are right IG. Good day for Dave Emerson to take a ride....

[Belmont Resident]

Cause I'm gettin sick and tired of reading about all the complaints from the ice fishermen.:emb: :emb: :emb:
Now all we need is a snowstorm or blizzard and everyone will be happy.

Before I get hammered, I WAS just joking!

[CampChaos]

Just wanted to thank all of you who are going out and keeping everyone updated! I have a camp on Bear and have over 20 ppl coming in from all over for the fishing derby now that we have ice!!

After a disappointing last year with the hockey tournament being relocated and winni not freezing in time for the derby, it is a great to see the lake back on track and bring in the much needed revenue to the state!

If the temp continues to stay low, I am planning on walking out from Shep Browns to deep cove where my camp is this weekend. I will bring my auger with me and test every 50 or so feet. Will let you know how much ice we have.

[ishoot308]

Massive open water again happened last night around Welch. Not sure how the heck that happened with the thermometer reading 8 below zero!! Sheeesh will this lake ever freeze!!!

[ITD]

Massive open water again happened last night around Welch. Not sure how the heck that happened with the thermometer reading 8 below zero!! Sheeesh will this lake ever freeze!!!

If ice in doesn't happen soon, they won't have time to build the ice hotel this year.

[upthesaukee]

...Wind :(

[Bear Island South]

Is this the same open water seen here that Ishoot is seeing from Welch?

[Island Girl]

That picture has a date of Jan. 13. Is that accurate?

[Bear Island South]

That picture has a date of Jan. 13. Is that accurate?

23 JAN 13...I believe is JAN 23, 2013

[HellRaZoR004]

That picture has a date of Jan. 13. Is that accurate?

^^ what he said.

[Island Girl]

I read it wrong, Thanks. It is difficult to see in the image, but I think you may be correct. An image from Lincoln Park and Glendale docks would help. Also no wind would really help.

IG

[Bear Island South]

The picture is from Gunstock Acres Cam, picture from yesterday shows ice.

Amazing that it opened up with below zero temps.

[ishoot308]

It appears that this is the normal section of open water that is always last to freeze on the lake even after the broads. This section would be in front of Belknap Point / Lincoln Park area and extend all the way out to Welch. The Glendale dock area is completely frozen well past Lockes island so a picture there would not help as this area can't be seen from there. A pic from Lincoln Park would show it clearly.

Dan

[brk-lnt]

Sorry guys, I accidentally dropped a Hot Pocket in the lake by the Glendale docks yesterday. Anyone who has ever eaten a Hot Pocket knows that they initially have the stored heat capacity of a small nuclear reaction, which is immediately released once you break the outer crust. That must've been what caused the ice to melt. Fortunately, it should cool down in about 72 hours and then the ice might re-form.

My apologies.

[fatlazyless]

I just called 527-0071 for the Lakeport Dam NH-DES recorded lake data daily 7:15-am report and it said that the water temperature is 35-degrees ..... and doesn't it need to be a water temperature of 34-degrees at the dam to usually have ice-in happen....if I recall correct. Wind, water temperature, sun's daily exposure and whatever all adds up for an ice-in or ice-out.....hey how's about that Lake Sebago about one hours drive to the east in Maine and how that looks to be all open water....so why is that....Maine winters have a reputation for being long and cooold?

[Resident 2B]

I just called 527-0071 for the Lakeport Dam NH-DES recorded lake data daily 7:15-am report and it said that the water temperature is 35-degrees ..... and doesn't it need to be a water temperature of 34-degrees at the dam to usually have ice-in happen....if I recall correct. Wind, water temperature, sun's daily exposure and whatever all adds up for an ice-in or ice-out.....hey how's about that Lake Sebago about one hours drive to the east in Maine and how that looks to be all open water....so why is that....Maine winters have a reputation for being long and cooold?

Sebago is very deep and as a result holds more heat. I almost never freezes other than in bays and coves.

R2B

[Blue Thunder]

Sebago is very deep and as a result holds more heat. I almost never freezes other than in bays and coves.

R2B
Since I would be the resident Sebago expert here, I will say this....while Sebago is very deep in places (200-315 ft) the reason it doesn't freeze is strictly due to the fact that the wind almost never stops. The water is certainly cold enough and with temps at 0 last night and a projected low of 10 below tonight, unless the forecasted breeze of west wind 3-8 mph tonight doesn't happen there will be open water tomorrow morning. Hard to believe....but it does freeze completely about 50% of the time.

Edit: this morning's sunrise webcam shot..-4 degrees and no ice.

[ishoot308]

Still have open water this morning!!

[Belmont Resident]

I'd thought from some of the replies that the whole lake locked in.
It looks like a big part of it has not.

[Island Girl]

Ugh! that is not what I was hoping for. What direction are you facing? What are we looking at? I am trying to picture what is open water, from Welch's to where?

[mcdude]

Is this the same open water seen here that Ishoot is seeing from Welch?

Is this shot from a web cam? Can you share the url? Great shot!

[upthesaukee]

IG, earlier in this thread, or another one, Ishoot308 said it looks toward Locke's Island and Belknap Point..

Just happened to remember that. :)

[Island Girl]

Thanks Uppy,

So now the question is the open area just on that end of Welch's? Anyone, anyone..... any retired people willing to take a ride to Gilford to take some pics for us. Lincoln Park has a great view of Welch's and the lake on the west and south sides on the island. (pardon if I get the navigation wrong)

A pic from Ames Farm would also be nice... Come on folks, it is a lovely day for a ride with your camera.

IG, who is 2 hours away and needing a lake fix! :rolleye2:

[upthesaukee]

It is -5, up from -6 overnight, and feels like -17!!!!! :D

[Island Girl]

Good day to read, in front of the wood stove..... I, on the other hand, am sitting in my office at work staring at four screens and a to-do list a mile long. I point and click for a living!

The webcams are on one screen, refreshing every few minutes.... my lifeline.

[ishoot308]

Ugh! that is not what I was hoping for. What direction are you facing? What are we looking at? I am trying to picture what is open water, from Welch's to where?

The camera faces West. Here this will help...

[Slickcraft]

Thanks Uppy,

So now the question is the open area just on that end of Welch's? Anyone, anyone..... any retired people willing to take a ride to Gilford to take some pics for us. Lincoln Park has a great view of Welch's and the lake on the west and south sides on the island. (pardon if I get the navigation wrong)

A pic from Ames Farm would also be nice... Come on folks, it is a lovely day for a ride with your camera.

IG, who is 2 hours away and needing a lake fix! :rolleye2:

I'll stop at Lincoln Park early afternoon, after it warms up to above zero.:D

[KarmaGirl]

Pics from Broadview Condos this am looking toward Welch.72887289

[Bear Island South]

Is this shot from a web cam? Can you share the url? Great shot!

Looks like a good section still open...here is the link, it can also be found on the Weirs Cam site.

http://www.wunderground.com/webcams/erikas/2/show.html

Also, see the Modis site, from yesterday it looks like open water extends from Welch Is. over to Long Is.

http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/images/terra/true_color/2013_01_23_023/t1.13023.USA4.143.250m.jpg

[Island Girl]

This is great. It shows the extent of the open water around Welch's. It appears that the Broads itself is iced over.

The satellite image is deceiving. It is hard to tell if the dark areas are black ice or open water.

Is anyone here from Wolfeboro Neck or the broadside of Tuftonboro. It would be great to have cams, or at least pictures from there.

Again thanks to those posting pictures of the lake that the cams so not cover.

IG

[Slickcraft]

Looking between Welch and Round and then back toward ishoot308's web cam.

[Island Girl]

Does the open water go much further to the right of your lower picture?

Thanks so much for posting.

IG

[Slickcraft]

Does the open water go much further to the right of your lower picture?

Thanks so much for posting.

IG

That open water patch goes a little way further, you can see the end in KarmaGirl's 2nd photo.

Also there is a thinner strip of open water arcing from near Ellacoya to the southern tip of Welch, partially visible in KarmaGirl's 2nd photo.

[Island-Ho]

It sure would be nice to have a web cam with that view! Keep us posted as to when that hole closes up!

[Resident 2B]

The stronger winds look to go away during the day on Friday. The cold will moderate some, but the conditions to freeze the open water will be better than they have been starting Friday night through Monday night. We have the cold, we just need to get rid of these winds. With most of the open areas locked up, I think the rest will be locked up by Monday or Tuesday.

Where there is ice, it is growing. You can hear the cracking sounds coming down Meredith Bay at night.

R2B

[Mink Islander]

So FLL, seeing any activity through/around Cattle Landing yet? Have you ventured out onto the ice yet to test it's thickness? Still planning a trip up on Saturday morning to check things out. Expectations are that I should have plenty of ice by then (but will be cutting holes as I go!) just to be sure.

I would love to hear from anyone with reports on that area.

Minkislander

[ishoot308]

No ice gain I can see all day! The wind must really be whippin'.

Dan

[MAXUM]

So FLL, seeing any activity through/around Cattle Landing yet? Have you ventured out onto the ice yet to test it's thickness? Still planning a trip up on Saturday morning to check things out. Expectations are that I should have plenty of ice by then (but will be cutting holes as I go!) just to be sure.

I would love to hear from anyone with reports on that area.

Minkislander

I plan to do the same thing, crossing between Sheps over to Bear Island on Saturday morning on foot. Gonna have an ice auger with us just to be sure, we'll drill holes as well but I can tell you that at least that ice was looking real good on Sunday (see pics I posted earlier) so it's no doubt good to go now. Cattle landing was still open water from there looking out towards Timber and Governor's Island so whatever ice is there is new as of Monday.

[Idylltimer]

I was at Cattle today, all iced in as far as you can see from the dock, excluding the bubbler. It was open water a few days ago looking towards Govenor's Island, but looking towards Pine, it was all ice.

[RLW]

http://i44.tinypic.com/1499wms.gif Idylltimer, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends. Thanks kindly or the input regarding new ice locations.:)

http://i54.tinypic.com/2e56yqf.gif

[jess1234]

Any pictures of Welch Island Area open water?

[ishoot308]

Any pictures of Welch Island Area open water?

Here ya go!...

[Dhuberty24]

There must be an anti-freeze spring there.

[SteveA]

Pictures from yesterday morning 1-24-13, and today 1-25-13. Both taken from Big Pier.

Yesterday looking toward Diamond and Rattlesnake at sunrise

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Today looking toward Diamond at sunrise. Looks like the overnight NW wind is piling up any ice that tries to form.

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[crowsnest]

Here ya go!...

Are you sure your bubbler is in the right place :D
You need to move it closer to your dock !

[SteveA]

Are you sure your bubbler is in the right place :D
You need to move it closer to your dock !

Good idea.. let's blame Dan! :):)

[fatlazyless]

Are you sure your bubbler is in the right place :D
You need to move it closer to your dock !

Most likely, the 4x6" wood posts are attached to the dock but don't extend down to the lake bottom, and the dock is held up by horizontal logs that are set inside the stone breakwater, so there's no need for an ice-eater water circulator. And, the stone breakwater has an angled outer face designed to deflect a moving ice sheet that can weigh a hell of a lot.

At zero degrees it sure seems like the ice is much stronger and much harder to break with an ice chopper than it is at say 25-degrees. With colder temperatures, the ice gets stronger and stronger? .....just my two cents from chopping the lake ice around a dock...

What that breakwater needs is a small hot tub, like a $4500 Jetsetter from Energysavers, on top of the stones down at the end! That would be a dynamite spot for a hot tub! .. :)

[ishoot308]

Most likely, the 4x6" wood posts are attached to the dock but don't extend down to the lake bottom, and the dock is held up by horizontal logs that are set inside the stone breakwater, so there's no need for an ice-eater water circulator. And, the stone breakwater has an angled outer face designed to deflect a moving ice sheet that can weigh a hell of a lot.


Nope, those 4" x 6" posts go right to the bottom and have been that way for many years without issues. No bubbler system either. I do have some large round telephone type poles horizontally that take the weight of the dock also.

[NHgirl]

Tonight might be it. Low 4 with winds light and variable.

[Little Bear]

The ice between the south side of Diamond Island and the shoreline in Gilford/West Alton (by Ames Farm area) is at best only 3 days old. I could not believe my eyes when I just saw three people on the ice in this area. One is on an ice boat, the other two on skates holding some kind of kite.

Maybe the ice is thick enough due to the cold, but I can tell you...I wouldn't be out there! :confused:

[Webbsatwinni]

We need to have the ice tested somehow :D

[BoulderBronco]

The ice between the south side of Diamond Island and the shoreline in Gilford/West Alton (by Ames Farm area) is at best only 3 days old. I could not believe my eyes when I just saw three people on the ice in this area. One is on an ice boat, the other two on skates holding some kind of kite.

Maybe the ice is thick enough due to the cold, but I can tell you...I wouldn't be out there! :confused:
While I agree that it's still a little early to be out there given the variation in freezing/thickness, I would think this extreme cold would be adding at least 1" per day if not 2" or more. Even over the course of three days there could already be 6" of ice.

[Belmont Resident]

How fast ice forms so I pulled this off the internet.

At a steady temperature of -10 F, a small, non-spring fed lake freezes at a rate of 1 inch every four hours.

So I guess if the temp is not as cold the lake can still build several inches per day.
So that being said there could be more then enough ice even though only 2-3 day have gone by the temp has been well below freezing all 24 hours of the day.

[ishoot308]

We came up to our home in Gilford last night. From our deck I have a complete view of the lake from Lockes Island to Diamond Island and everything in betweeen. I would post pictures but my internet service has yet to be installed and I am working off an air card which is pretty useless for pics.

The largest section of open water is still in front of Welch and it's huge! (See Below) There is another smaller section of open water between Ellacoya and the East end of Welch, very near where the deepest section of the lake is. There is another rather large open section of water in front of Lake Shore Park that extends in a Northwesterly direction. There are also a couple of small open water spots in front of the beach by ellacoya and believe it or not there is a bob house adjacent to one of these open water spots! :eek2:

I have confirmed 5" of ice in front of the Glendale docks last night. I do not know yet how far out it stays safe but will find out when I am out there today.

In all the years I have fished the lake I do not remember a year where the lake froze like this. It is very dangerous and has massive variations in ice thickness and can change instantly under your feet. The bays can have as much as 14" and open water can be a couple hundred yards away.

I post these reports in the hopes people venturing out on the ice will think and constantly check for thickness as they go out and not just simply venture out aimlessly because they see others out there.

Please be safe!!

Dan

[Belmont Resident]

The next weather system comes just in time for a warm-up which means more rain instead of snow. :(

[Slickcraft]

As reported by ishoot308 there is more open water today.

If you look at your lake charts, winds from 270to 280 degrees funnel in over a 2 mile fetch between Locke's and Governors and then hit Welch. That southeast flow of air is then deflected southward by Welch. This somewhat matches the shape of the large patch of open water.

Wind overnight was at 270:
http://classic.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KNHGILFO9

BTW, we on the west side of Welch often have a windy time of it.

[SteveA]

This was this morning right at dawn. Large area that starts at Samoset and all the way around Lake Shore Park to Ellacoya. It was larger today than yesterday.

The good news is, the ice was "booming" it is building ice, the problem is the wind, that is breaking up hugh ice sheets that are blowing up onto LSP all across the shoreline.

7300

[DRH]

As reported by ishoot308 there is more open water today.

If you look at your lake charts, winds from 270to 280 degrees funnel in over a 2 mile fetch between Locke's and Governors and then hit Welch. That southeast flow of air is then deflected southward by Welch. This somewhat matches the shape of the large patch of open water.

Wind overnight was at 270:
http://classic.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KNHGILFO9

BTW, we on the west side of Welch often have a windy time of it.You must have been at Lincoln Park just a short time before we went by this morning. As your photos show, the area of open water to the west and south of Welch Island is quite large.

[bclaker]

Isn't the open water area where that ancient volcano is located? Maybe it's getting ready to erupt again.

[NHWakesurfer]

I wish I had better news for ice on this side but it's wide open from long island to welch, steamboat etc. It briefly skimmed over before sunrise that was cool to see as one minute it was water than the wind stopped and it all was frozen. Now the wind is back and so is the open water and white caps.

No snow, no ice, freezing cold and wind ahhhhhhhh

[Lakegeezer]

It is a sunny saturday and the MODIS satellite picture (http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=t1&product=true_color&date=2013_01_26_026&overlay_sector=false&overlay_state=true&overlay_coastline=true&sector=USA4&resolution=250m) of the day shows the area quite well.

The picture attached has labels showing Squam Lake is pretty well frozen, as is Meredith and Center Harbor bays, Moultonborough area down to the Barber pole and Alton Bay. There appears to be a lot of open water south of the northern fingers all the way to Alton Bay. Hard to believe after all these frigid days, but seems to be so.

Edit: Some of the dark areas that look like open water could be black ice that froze after the last snow.

[NYCtoLSP]

Hi everyone. I have a place up there in LSP but live in NYC and read your posts and check out your photos everyday. Looking forward to heading up soon for an annual girls' ice fishing weekend. I would love to see a photo from up on Lockes hill/mount major. Some friends of mine just launched their bobhouse off of LSP, and considering all the open ice it's making me nervous! He said there's 6 inches of ice there.

[Rusty]

It is a sunny saturday and the MODIS satellite picture (http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=t1&product=true_color&date=2013_01_26_026&overlay_sector=false&overlay_state=true&overlay_coastline=true&sector=USA4&resolution=250m) of the day shows the area quite well.

The picture attached has labels showing Squam Lake is pretty well frozen, as is Meredith and Center Harbor bays, Moultonborough area down to the Barber pole and Alton Bay. There appears to be a lot of open water south of the northern fingers all the way to Alton Bay. Hard to believe after all these frigid days, but seems to be so.


Here is the same image using a different color option. It high-lites the open water area of the Lake better:

<a href="http://s960.beta.photobucket.com/user/NHtech/media/winni_zps12faf803.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i960.photobucket.com/albums/ae86/NHtech/winni_zps12faf803.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo winni_zps12faf803.jpg"/></a>

[Bear Island South]

Did any brave souls make it to Bear today via Cattle Landing?

[MAXUM]

Well made it out to my camp on the NE side of Bear Island today... the LONG way. FYI for anyone looking to hop on the ice from sheps forget about it. The access point next to the docks is all blocked off and clearly they do not want anyone accessing the ice from there. Furthermore there is a some open water that stretches across beyond the docks so access isn't possible anyways.

OK so with that out and I had my sleds with me decided that the next best option was Levitt Beach. When we got there there were a bunch of folks out fishing and ice reports were the ice was only 6" thick. When we drilled a test hole by the beach it was over 12" so I'm not sure how accurate that report was. I was a bit surprised at that but decided to leave the sleds and walk from there to BI with the ice auger to drill test holes along the way. Our path took us between the mainland and the beaver islands, between Pine and 3 Mile then across to Bear. We drilled several test holes along the way. Far as the ice goes... that area had been locked up well prior to the cold snap out to Pine and 3 mile islands where the ice went from snow covered to bare ice and not just that really cool ice formations where you could see the large sheets with huge gaps of black ice that had flash froze so good some of the black ice was creepy to walk across because there were NO air bubbles at all in it. OK now for what everyone I'm sure is interested in knowing, thickness. We found the ice to be mostly to be between 10 and 12" thick, yes we measured it. Only in one spot did we find the ice to be down to 7" and it was an area where there was probably open water not that long ago as it was black and between two pressure points so it was drilled as we wanted to make darn sure we had plenty of ice under us where we couldn't determine thickness from either cracks or air bubbles. Could have easily taken the sleds out, but we played it safe and walked out cause we were the only ones out there at least on the way out. Bottom line the ice may look bad, but it's solid, safe and really hard at least along our path.

Great to be out at the camp, walked in and it was a balmy 13 degrees inside! Very cold day today and the wind was whipping real good on the way back. Long walk, got plenty of exercise. Pics to follow. Beautiful day for sure!

First pic, Beaver island on the right looking towards Pine
Second pic, looking directly at 3 mile island with Pine behind the picture taker
Third pic, looking towards the broads point of Pine on the right and Bear Island behind Pine. Great place to skate there, no snow and the ice was perfectly smooth

[MAXUM]

More pics, all taken between SE of Pine headed towards Bear.

Even though this ice looks scary, it's thick and solid. My sister took a shot standing on some very black ice - like walking on water!

Again all this stuff is a good 10" thick even though you'd think it's just a light skim layer.

[MAXUM]

Found a smelt frozen into the ice along the way, really cool ice/air formations, and finally we reached out destination!

[MAXUM]

Yes it was that cold, but well worth the trip out. That's it folks!

[MAXUM]

ooh I forgot one more really cool ice pic

[MAXUM]

I do want to post a very important disclaimer here, I'm not suggesting that everywhere on the lake is safe, we were out there drilling holes and playing it very safe while out there. If you do venture out there, you should do the same thing. Never assume that the ice is safe, always best to check. I chose my route to take carefully and even so took the time to verify it along the way especially when it started to look like there would be variations in thickness. Be safe out there!

[SteveA]

Hi everyone. I have a place up there in LSP but live in NYC and read your posts and check out your photos everyday. Looking forward to heading up soon for an annual girls' ice fishing weekend. I would love to see a photo from up on Lockes hill/mount major. Some friends of mine just launched their bobhouse off of LSP, and considering all the open ice it's making me nervous! He said there's 6 inches of ice there.

Hello, I'm in LSP also, have been since we bought it. I was done tonight taking some end of days pictures, and saw the two bobhouse off Long Beach. Lot's of open water from Big Pier all the way past Samoset.

If you look closely you can see the 2 bobhouses in this picture.: (Taken from Big Pier)

7319

[RLW]

Hi everyone. I have a place up there in LSP but live in NYC and read your posts and check out your photos everyday. Looking forward to heading up soon for an annual girls' ice fishing weekend. I would love to see a photo from up on Lockes hill/mount major. Some friends of mine just launched their bobhouse off of LSP, and considering all the open ice it's making me nervous! He said there's 6 inches of ice there.

http://i44.tinypic.com/1499wms.gif NYCtoLSP, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends. Just stick with the forum gang and you will be kept up todate just as if you were here.:)

http://i54.tinypic.com/2e56yqf.gif

[SteveA]

Well some spot have plenty of ice.. Alton Ice airport is open and plenty of folks out fishing. Had to post this picture of one of the Bob Houses on the bay. Nice set-up and even has an very well named "outhouse" :laugh:

7323

Alton and New Durham FD was practicing water rescues.. couple of pics.
These are some tough people..!

7321

7322

[ishoot308]

As I look out over the lake this morning, I am in disbelief as there is still as much open water as I mentioned in yesterdays post, so I won't post the same old pic. It also looks like there is another very large section of open water along Tuftonboro neck.

We ended up ice fishing in Saunders bay where there is 10"- 12" of solid ice at least 200 yds from shore. Not much activity beyond that.

Glendale docks had 6" at the end of the dock and quicly went to 4" about 30 yds out further. Wasn't comfortable launching the bob house there so we went to Gilford Town Beach.

Goin fishin'

Dan

[pitosalas]

So I am on Moultonborough neck, facing west, "senter cove", in a bay flanked by Wallace island.

Don't yell at me saying "use common sense"... :)

Are there some good rules of thumb or ways of testing to determine that the ice is safe for walking on, say from shore to Wallace island?

Thank you!

[Bear Island South]

So I am on Moultonborough neck, facing west, "senter cove", in a bay flanked by Wallace island.

Don't yell at me saying "use common sense"... :)

Are there some good rules of thumb or ways of testing to determine that the ice is safe for walking on, say from shore to Wallace island?

Thank you!

Buy a hand auger and start drilling as you go, look for variations in the ice color and drill those areas. Stay clear of pressure ridges.

If you see other activity stop and ask if they know the ice thickness.

I like to see at least 6-8 inches before I will venture out.

[Blue Thunder]

Don't yell at me saying "use common sense"... :)

I use this phrase all the time : Common sense isn't all that common anymore.

Be careful everyone. The four fatalities on Rangeley Lake last month are still fresh in some of our minds....

[Resident 2B]

As of now, these winds continue to keep open water in areas where it has not as yet frozen over. I expected the winds to be low to calm tonight and tomorrow night, but it now looks like they will stay up for the entire week ahead. In addition, we will warm up mid-week and get a rainy period.

For now, it looks to me like where there is open water, the likelihood of it freezing thick enough that it is safe at all this winter looks very low. There is some great ice in places, but even those areas have some variation in thickness, so be careful. If you are out on your sled at night, be completely aware of where the open water is and stay clear of these areas.

The February sun is much stronger what we have in December and most of January. It is also up longer and is higher each day. This makes it hard to keep a skim coat of ice where it forms overnight. That and the persistent winds make me think we will only have what we now have for ice this year.

Be safe!

R2B

[SteveA]

As of now, these winds continue to keep open water in areas where it has not as yet frozen over. I expected the winds to be low to calm tonight and tomorrow night, but it now looks like they will stay up for the entire week ahead. In addition, we will warm up mid-week and get a rainy period.

For now, it looks to me like where there is open water, the likelihood of it freezing thick enough that it is safe at all this winter looks very low. There is some great ice in places, but even those areas have some variation in thickness, so be careful. If you are out on your sled at night, be completely aware of where the open water is and stay clear of these areas.

The February sun is much stronger what we have in December and most of January. It is also up longer and is higher each day. This makes it hard to keep a skim coat of ice where it forms overnight. That and the persistent winds make me think we will only have what we now have for ice this year.

Be safe!

R2B

Great advice, the open water area off Lake Shore Park and Samoset has actually "grown" a little over the last several days. Along the shore of LSP near the property line with Samoset, the sheets of ice that have blown up onshore are 3-4" inches thick, some of them are 3-4 foot across. IMHO the wind is not going to let that part of the Broads freeze unless we get an extended period of very cold temps and no NW winds.

I will not be surprised if someone ends up in that open water with a sled. That area is always "high traffic" area because many people seem to think the close to shore ice is safer than the mid lake ice. Does anyone know if Marine patrol has any way of putting up warning signs or beacons?

[Dhuberty24]

As I look out over the lake this morning, I am in disbelief as there is still as much open water as I mentioned in yesterdays post, so I won't post the same old pic. It also looks like there is another very large section of open water along Tuftonboro neck.

We ended up ice fishing in Saunders bay where there is 10"- 12" of solid ice at least 200 yds from shore. Not much activity beyond that.

Glendale docks had 6" at the end of the dock and quicly went to 4" about 30 yds out further. Wasn't comfortable launching the bob house there so we went to Gilford Town Beach.

Goin fishin'

Dan

Where on tufftonboro neck we got a camp there and Havnt seen any open water?

[Idylltimer]

Did any brave souls make it to Bear today via Cattle Landing?

Walked out today just down the road from the Cattle Landing dock. Stayed a little north of the dock and walked straight across into the cove on Bear. Pretty quiet out there!

[Drummuse]

Any ice looking towards nineteen mile bay / cow island from the long island bridge?? I have a cabin on cow and am hopeing to leave from harillas and hoof it over their this saturday.

Thanks alot.
Dan

[Dhuberty24]

Go from 19 mile bay

[Nauti Crew]

The northern tip of Rattlesnake has a couple of spots of open water. The Ice was cracking all the way out from the weight of the airboat, it is maybe 4 inches thick. Didn't venture down into the broads side.

[ishoot308]

Where on tufftonboro neck we got a camp there and Havnt seen any open water?

After a closer look I think the open water section I was talking about is in front of Cow Island extending almost to Middle Ground Shoals and not Tuftonborough Neck. Here's a couple pics I took from my deck at 3:00 P.M. today.

The red arrow in the picture shows the area I was talking about. The other pic is zoomed in and I believe the small island on the right might be Echo island, not positive though being 7 miles across the other side of the lake.

Dan

[oldflounder]

Is it ft2 or in2?

[oldflounder]

Taken today in Moultonboro

[oldflounder]

How about 1 more clue

[ursa minor]

My guess is ice racing on Lee's Pond?

[Dhuberty24]

After a closer look I think the open water section I was talking about is in front of Cow Island extending almost to Middle Ground Shoals and not Tuftonborough Neck. Here's a couple pics I took from my deck at 3:00 P.M. today.

The red arrow in the picture shows the area I was talking about. The other pic is zoomed in and I believe the small island on the right might be Echo island, not positive though being 7 miles across the other side of the lake.

Dan

That is the little island for sale
Right outside the barbers pole. My brother was fishing in the barbers pole today on 6+inches. Looks like we are not going to venture out any further.

[oldflounder]

Pictures are in this order:

1. From Wolfboro Town Docks/Brewster Beach?
2. A little more into Wolfeboro Bay
3. 19 Mile Bay
4. Center Harbor
5. Leavitt Park
6. Meredith Bay
7. Opechee Boat Ramp
8. Laconia ramps at Winnisquam
9. S. end of Winnisquam/Belknap [?] Park

[ishoot308]

[QUOTE=ishoot308;197908]That is the little island for sale Right outside the barbers pole. My brother was fishing in the barbers pole today on 6+inches. Looks like we are not going to venture out any further.

Is that called "Echo Island"??

Thanks!

Dan

[CampChaos]

Walked out today just down the road from the Cattle Landing dock. Stayed a little north of the dock and walked straight across into the cove on Bear. Pretty quiet out there!

How was the ice from shep browns over to bear? Are there any reefs?

Thank you

[MAXUM]

How was the ice from shep browns over to bear? Are there any reefs?

Thank you

That ice should be good to go, however you're not going to be able to start from Sheps. The spot over by the docks down behind their second show room was all blocked off and there was open water right by the shore (as of last Saturday AM 1/26/2013) so it would be unsafe to attempt to get on there. It also looks like they are doing some work in there, big excavator is parked there with evidence of fresh tracks. It's clear to me they don't want anyone over there and for good reason if the work they are doing involves keeping the ice from setting up good there. If there are any adjacent areas you could safely get on the ice you should be fine walking out from there. I would still play it safe and drill some holes along the way, but that area was all locked up before the cold so I'd bet it's pretty solid. Just wouldn't bet my life on it! No pressure ridges could be seen out there from shore.

If you look at the pics I posted earlier, I cross over to Bear between Pine and 3 Mile islands, although the ice out there looks incredibly unsafe, it was averaging 10" all the way as we drilled holes in areas that looked really scary.

I wouldn't worry to much about this short warmup, that ice is really hard and dense. Even the gas powered auger was slow to cut through it at least where we were checking.

[Dhuberty24]

[QUOTE=Dhuberty24;197920]

Is that called "Echo Island"??

Thanks!

Dan

I believe it is it had a camp that burned down on it. It is a fun spot to go snorkeling.

[codeman671]

Is that called "Echo Island"??

Thanks!

Dan

http://www.islandre.com/Property.aspx?Pid=165

[Just Sold]

Echo Island - photo taken May 2011

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[Idylltimer]

How was the ice from shep browns over to bear? Are there any reefs?

Thank you

I didn't cross from Shep's, no place to get onto the ice. I crossed from just north of Cattle and went straight across into the Carry on Bear. The ice was 6 to 8 inches everywhere I checked. The ice directly in front of Cattle, and south of Cattle hasn't been in as long, and I don't want to be the first on it! Plus, the bubbler is keeping it open for quite a ways around the dock.

[Hamiltony]

I didn't cross from Shep's, no place to get onto the ice. I crossed from just north of Cattle and went straight across into the Carry on Bear. The ice was 6 to 8 inches everywhere I checked. The ice directly in front of Cattle, and south of Cattle hasn't been in as long, and I don't want to be the first on it! Plus, the bubbler is keeping it open for quite a ways around the dock.

When you say "just north of Cattle," do you mean a few hundred feet, or over towards Black Cove/the Loon Sanctuary? My brothers and I are planning to come up at the end of February and cross over to Bear (our house is almost directly across from Cattle), and we'll almost certainly be parking at Cattle.

Also, any idea of the depth of snow on the Island? We're planning to trek up to the church, and not sure if we'll need snowshoes.