ICE IS SOLID BUT Changing FAST
 

I spent the afternoon snowmobiling on the trails west of Alton (Powder Hill Trails) and on the lake, out to RattleSnake Island & Wolfeboro Bay & Alton Bay. The trails were very good for riding, and so was the open areas of the lake. However, around the islands the ice is changing color, lots of standing water and some slush on the ice. Still safe for sledding, if you are careful, but if the warm weather persists, the ice will continue to change very quickly. There are still a few Bob Houses on the ice, but several of them look like they were sinking.... in large pools of water. We just might get one more weekend of safe ice, on Easter, and perhas some trail riding in as well.

We would like to hear from others who rode this weekend.

Thanks!

Well sorry to hear about ur "winter conditions" changing, but its about time we get closer to summer. I'm really missing boating and such. . . It will all come in time! I'm so glad to hear that soon the ice will be gone and we'll all be out there doing whatever we do on the lake again. . .but i'm getting way too far ahead of myself. . .

Tis great that the slush is starting, that means ice out won't be long. I hope that it is out on April 9th at 10:00 AM this year. It has never been out on this date and it would be great to see my dad's birthday who grew up summers and falls, and springs on the lake. I am confident that the Ice will not be in the lake on my birthday or my lil sisters for that matter. :laugh: :laugh: :)

There was a web-site that monitored the daily condition of the lake ice up until the official ice-out. Is that site still up and running?

Here is the ICE-OUT SITE ....but they don't seem to be up and running yet for this year.

Snowmobiling on Sunday 3-20-05
 

We rode on the Lake to Winter Harbor from Moultonboro and the conditions were safe although this area in the broads is somewhat bumpy resulting from the high winds and drifting snow a couple of weeks ago. Accessed the Wolfeboro trail system at the Libby Museum, and except for some areas of mud just off the lake, the trails running down to the Wolfeboro Snowmobile Club Warming Hut were in very good condition. After talking to a groomer operator at the hut, he felt that unless we get more snow or colder temperatures that this may well be the last week for grooming.

We travelled to Polly's Crossing and rode the rail bed down to the Castle trails. The rails were better Sunday than the preceding Monday and not very bumpy, but without new snow I doubt that next weekend will be much fun. The stronger sun and warmer temperatures are taking a toll. Rails are showing in many places.

The Castle trails over to Moultonboro were fair. There is plenty of snow in the higher elevations, but the ride was not great. The trails leading to the parking lot from the Castle and those from the parking lot into Moultonboro are without much snowcover with extended areas of mud.

The trails leading down to Melvin Village and on to the Lake are very muddy. Running the Lake from Melvin to Long Island was great. Very fast, flat and mostly smooth with a couple of inches of snow.

With the exception of the Lake and without new snow, I think it will be over very soon in these areas for this year.

I love this time of the year. We have that one spring like weekend, and get anxious to start boating. The forum is filled with ice out talk, and unfortunately, wait until the end of April for it to happen.

April 21st it is

Memorial day is always my first big boating weekend, and it has been way too cold the last few years.

I want 70 and sunny. Is that too much to ask??

Thanks for the link!! Looks like they started it up 3/24 the last 4 years.

I smell spring
 

Then you should've come up around May 14th last spring -- it got up to near 80 for a few days.

I was amazed driving home from work tonight at how quickly things are changing here in central MA. Snow disappearing in many areas, despite relatively low temps. The rivers and streams are showing signs of opening up, and the iced over ponds are showing dark on the edges. Solar gain is an amazing thing.

With temps at night at or above freezing in the near future, the rate should accellerate. Guess I better start thinking about putting the skis away. Not yet...just thinking about it.
:)

It will be updated...
 

I sent an email to the site to ask if it would be updated this year. Below is the response.

--------


Yes, as soon as I see any movement in the ice.


Thank You,

Barry Uicker
Silver Sands Marina Inc.

Long wait ahead of us
 

The lakes and ponds are frozen almost all the way to NYC. I flew from Manchester to Newark today, via Albany and down the Hudson. Its way south of West Point before you see any movement in the ice. The Hudson river is open, the Connecticut still has lots of frozen areas above the dam. BUT - I dug the sailboat out of the back yard yesterday and dragged it through the snow into the driveway so I don't make 2 foot ruts like last year pulling it through the yard during mud season. At least there is one sign of spring.