ice thickness
 

I am trying to find updated ice info. Specifically for Meredith bay but any updates for anywhere on Winni would be great. I am trying to figure out if the ice is thick enough for a truck or if it's going to be just sleds this weekend.

Boulder:

If you bring a truck out there you have rocks in your head.

I guess it's not very thick huh. My brother had 8" more than two weeks ago. I was hoping for at least 12" by now. I wouldn't drive out without others out there first and at least 14" of quality ice. I have been fishing on Winni, summer and winter, for 30 years so I know about ice safety and how the lake works. I wouldn't go out unless I was 100% sure it was safe. Sounds like it is not. Didn't I hear there were a bunch of trucks by the docks? Or am I mistaken?

My buddy is out near the broads (east side) and is sitting on about 10 inches a day or two ago when we spoke.

10" in the broads is great! I'm sure that was in a bit of a protected area though. Makes me think there must be a solid 10-12" in Meredith bay.

He did say though some spots were kind of shady. Didnt seem to be even all the way across, seemed to be some spots with less ice. He has been pretty cautious up until now.

Better cautious than stupid. I wouldn't imagine the broads to have 10" in the middle. That would be alot considering what I have heard was around Rattlesnake a week ago.

Yea he was on the outskirts, dont think he has ventured that far yet!

Just swaging by what we have here at the Weirs I'd guess Meredith has 10-12" of junk to moderate ice. I haven't seen anything bigger then a sled out anywhere other then Alton Bay, but they are landing planes there. Rumor had it a large cargo plane (C130 type) with ski's was doing touch down and skim runs in Meredith last week, but I neither saw nor can confirm.

Sleds would be my choice
 

Would not, I repeat not, take my truck on winni this season! The ice is not consistent, most of what I have seen in the ice fishing holes is about 4-5 inches of good black ice, followed by 5 or so of snow ice with pockets in between. So there may be 10-12 overall, but its not good. FWIW

Meredith drive on?
 

Does anyone know who will make the call Saturday morning if vehicles are going to be allowed out on the ice, near Derby Hdqtrs, the local PD, or The Rotary? If we can't drive out, this will be the 3rd year in a row that we'll have to pull everything out. No sled = not near as much fun, at least for the older bucks !!!!! :-( :-(

BassMan

Don't hold back, just tell him what you think. :eek:

Check the bottom of this page:
http://www.meredithrotary.org/derby/news.html

Looks like the first person who doesn't know any better gets to make the call. Anyone have a spare '07 Explorer laying around?

I 2nd WBB's vote and would not drive my truck out there this season. No sled issues that I've heard of though.

Sleds on Ice
 

We rode from Alton to Cow Island last Sat on our sleds with no issues. There were slushy spots but no open water. Did see one bob house in the broads..no cars. Hope with the colder weather the sluch will thicken up a bit, but would not drive a car out. ATV may have problems getting stuck in slush...RIP N GRIP :eek:

I know that last year I got there (the drive on at the Derby trailer) before sunrise on Sat morning, and it was already blocked off with big town saw horses. Of course that was a no brainer, as the ice did not fom at the shorline. Rotary has a disclaimer on the entry form, about driving on the ice, but those things don't usually hold up in court. I guess I'll just sit and watch the first few dare devils, if the drive on is open......

Boulder:

I'm glad to see you are planning to play it safe. I don't want to read about you in the paper (unless it is to read that you won the tourney!). Have fun with your family and friends and if you get a chance, please post a few photos.

Here's the official announcement from the derby website.

TOWN OF MEREDITH RAMP

The vehicle access ramp onto Lake Winnipesaukee (located near the Derby Headquarters trailer at Hesky Park) will be open by the Town of Meredith from 5pm to 8am, Saturday February 9, and Sunday, February 10. Vehicle access is unavailable during the day from 8am to 5pm.

I don't know how old the announcement is.

We were out in Winter Harbor today and it wasnt too bad. A little slush underneath the new snow but it was ridable. We had to go pick up the other shack which was sitting off of Long Island and it was really bad out there. Got the sleds stuck twice in the slush. Was able to get everything back to shore though, maybe some of this cold the next 2 days will harden things up a little.

Had a fun day riding today though:)

Slush vs. Ice
 

Are the ice conditions really this strange or it it the effect of my neighbor's recirc pump? After I shovel off about a foot of snow, there is 4 or 5 inches of slush which turns into 2" of water when you walk on it. Is this what I'm faced with further out into the lake? Better get some insulated waders or something.

P.S. What's the over/under on how many vehicles go through the ice this weekend?

Based on the number of out-of-towner's at the Weirs already I'll guess 5 go through!

From the Great Rotary Fishing Derby pamphlet " The Meredith Rotary Club highly recommends you do not drive your car or truck on any body of water." For the derby to take any other position would put them in a legal position of sanctioning the ice is safe. As always, proceed with caution and at your own risk.

The boat launching ramp is blocked at noon today.
NO ACCESS TO LAKE AT THAT POINT.

Too much snow to be confident that it's ok to drive on ice.
I remember 20-22 years a go, two vehicles went through ice, and one person lost his life! Can't get me on ice except on X-C skis!

I heard that last night a guy in a full size truck with a four wheeler in the back went thru off the West point side of Long Island in 25', about 3/4 mile from the beach. So be very careful this weekend.