Lake condition

The main part of the lake has seen the snow melted away. A mix of slush and/or a layer of water sits on top of about 12" of solid ice.

Firewood

Another cottager has reported disappearance of firewood.

Firewood

Another cottager has reported disappearance of firewood.

Snowmobile traffic

A number of machines on the ice yesterday. There are still areas of slush, especially around cracks that are bleeding water.

Slush continues

Some areas around the shore have 12" of ice and are solid for snowmobiles. But, there are some major patches of slush hidden under the snow when out a further distance from shore. This is probably why no snowmobiles have been seen on the lake.
Many moose tracks along the new road and extending to maple hill.

Slush

Underneath the 4" of snow is 2" of slush. The exposed ice is solid on the rink.

Clarke Rd is plowed from the top of maple hill, past Africa Tr. down to the lower cottages on Clarke Rd.

Oval rink

Oval skating rink has been cleared of snow. Several soft areas are 'bleeding' water. Snow depth on lake 4".

Several drifts approximating 2 ' on the causeway. The causeway is usual susceptible to drifts with light winds.

No signs of snowmobiles on the lake.

Many moose tracks around Africa Trail and Guest Rd. intersection several days ago. One moose has travelled on the island today.

New snow

At noon Monday Dec. 13, about 8" new soft snow on the cottage road. Vehicles moving to and from East Bay although road unplowed. Road unplowed from mill hill to island. Vehicles have no problems on mill hill. No vehicle tracks from Tusk to island.

Road and ice

Although no vehicles, other than ATVs, have traveled past Guest to the island, the road looks quite passable.

The thickness of the ice approximately 60 feet from shore is 6 3/4". Lots of cracking on the ice.

No snowmachines seen on the ice yet.

Plowed road

The cottage road from mill hill to maple hill have been plowed with a grader. Vehicles have travelled as far as Guest and Africa Trail. Snow compacted from Guest to island.

Mill and Maple hills

Friday noon, road travel has compacted snow from mill hill to top of maple hill. Snow depth at the top of maple hill is 10". Only ATV traffic from top of maple to island. Turn around area at top of mill hill very muddy due to high amount of rain.

More snow

At noon, Thursday Dec. 2, there is 6 " of fresh snow on the cottage road. Precipitation yesterday 63 mm.

Rain to pain

At 10:30 am Wednesday the rain turned to snow. At 4 pm 4" of fresh wet snow on the cottage road. Many branches bent over with heavy snow.

Mill Hill Ice

Compacted snow has turned into ice on the hill. Tracks of a vehicle show that it drifted off the road and into a shallow ditch. Four wheel drive has no problems.

Thrill on mill hill

Light weight two wheel drive vehicles may find problems on the mill hill with snow and ice. If stuck, like in the photo, use a shovel and dig dirt from the side of the road and throw in front of the back wheels. It works. In the past, some cottagers have dug holes every 10 feet and scaled the entire hill.

Dangerous fishing lures

The Federation of Absentee Cottagers Supporting Environmental Health (FACSEH) has asked the Ministry to suspend its winter research program on Elephant Lake. Plans to allow fishing lures with a uranium core will commence at freeze up and extend to mid March. A ministry spokesman, Mr. Snid Coment stated that the lake is known for the lack of winter cottagers and poor quality of the fish stock. "Anything to bring in innovative fishing and recreational dollars will support the economy. And", he added, "the fish will only glow for a brief time". FACSEH will be meeting with ministry officials before uranium lures reach the lake.

Skim across lake

With a decrease in wind, skim ice extends completely across the lake.

Fresh snow

The municipality has plowed to the top of mill hill. There is 4" of snow on the remainder of the cottage road. The snow has bonded well with the ice. Strong winds preventing the ice from extending into the main part of the lake.

Icy road

A layer of ice is covering the road.

Beaver problems

Some of the beavers have decided to tackle large trees close to at least one cottage. One beaver has climbed up 80 vertical feet to severely eat away at one tree and start on another. Perhaps best to check around your cottage on your next trip.

Deer hunting with guns over

According to the hunters, there are more moose in the bush than deer. Hunting with guns ends today on Sunday.

Beaver lodge

The work of the beavers along the shore line are evident on the southeastern shore below the causeway. A floating mat of new white wood is building up beside an old beaver lodge. The beaver(s) have been very busy cutting and dragging trees to establish a new lodge.

First snow

About 2" of snow in the bush away from the lake. Cottage road in great shape.

Skim ice

Skin ice is forming along lake edges. Many ducks and geese in the bays. Road is in great condition. Some washboards forming along the hill roads due to braking and speed of vehicles, but not a major problem.

Missing Firewood

Two cottagers have reported missing firewood. Spray painting the ends may deter some thieves or assist in finding the wood.

Deer Hunting

Nov. 1 to Nov. 14 there will be hunters along the cottage road. It is best to wear orange if walking in the area.

Moose Hunting Week

Hunters will be looking for moose from Monday Oct. 18 to Saturday Oct. 22. It is best to wear 'hunter orange' if on the roads.

Beavers at work

Two cottagers have reported beavers working their deeds on trees along the shore. The beaver(s) have even cut off the road at the base of the causeway hill. (A pair of eye glasses have been reported missing between East Bay and the mill hill area)

Planned power outage

Sunday Sept. 26. Power out 7 am restored 1:40 pm. Hydro One had notified cottagers via phone message in advance of outage.

Rain/power

Power out at 6:50 pm restored 7:45 pm. Heavy, heavy rain in evening.

Signs

For insurance purposes, it is advantageous to have the road well marked with regard to right-of-ways and difficult corners. A few signs have been erected to assist motorists.

Two inch gravel

A load of 2" gravel has been stored for use in filling pot holes and for emergency use after washouts.

Fresh gravel for new road

A number of A gravel loads have been added to the new road. Road traffic should pack it in before winter sets up.

For sale

Lawn riding tractor, Sears, 18 H.P., large deck, new blades and belt. Located at Whispering Hills. Call Rick 905-270-3802. $400.

Beaver culvert depressions

The sink holes around the beaver culvert north of Tusk have been graded and A gravel applied. The road has been graded from south of the new road to an area south of the beaver culvert.

South of new road

Road has been widened, shallow ditched, pointing rocks removed. 'A' gravel to come.

Lost dog

A yellow lab (slightly overweight), goes by the name Molly is missing somewhere between East Bay and the island. Phone 613-332-1436.

Hunter season dates

For Wildlife Management Unit #57 (around our cottages), 2010

Deer (rifle, bow) Nov. 1 - Nov. 14
Deer (bow) Oct. 1 - Oct. 31 and Nov. 15 - Dec. 15
Moose (rifle, bow) Oct. 18 - Oct. 23
Moose (bow) Oct. 4 - Oct. 9
Black Bear (rifle, bow) Sept. 1 - Nov. 30
Pheasant Sept. 20 - Dec. 15
Sharp-Tailed Grouse Sept. 20 - Dec. 15
Ruffed Grouse Sept. 20 - Dec. 15
Squirrel (gray, black, fox) Sept. 20 - Dec. 15
Rabbit, Hare Sept. 1 to June 15 of next year
Raccoon Oct. 15 - Jan. 15 of next year
Red Fox all year
Skunk all year
Weasel Oct. 25 - last day of Feb. next year
Oppossum Oct. 25 - Jan. 15 of next year
Snapping turtles July 15 - Sept. 15
Wild Turkey April 25 - May 31, 2011

Please check your 2010 Hunting Regulation Brochure
to insure correct dates and numbers harvested. Permits
required for all hunting. Special regulations exist for many
animals harvested.

Last year the Ministry personnel enforcing hunting regulations toured the Clarke Road area at least 3 times in the fall. They also enforce helmets for ATV riders!

Sightlines

Several corners have overgrown with tall plants making it difficult to 'peak' through the corner to see approaching vehicles. A difficult corner in the 'enchanted forest' has been slightly cut down to increase visibility. Still more may be cut back to increase safety.

South new road

The southern section, 200 metres, of new road has been graveled. Rain and vehicular traffic should pack the road quite well. Most of the disruptive pointing rocks around the beaver pond have been removed.

Road upgrade continued

The south end of the new road is being widened, ditched and the pointing rocks removed. 'A' grade is soon to be added.

Beaver solution

The beaver culvert at the dividing line between Highlands East and Dysart has been modified with some solid 4" plastic pipe with a series of 1 inch holes on the dorsal surface. The pipe is placed into the culvert and the other end is suspended above the bottom with a block base. A curved piece of rebar may assist in raising the pipe. A grating is still required. We'll see if this works!

Road continued

As of Wednesday July 21. The top 1/5 of Maple hill has been graded and A gravel applied. The remainder of the hill has been graded.

Road repairs

Road improvement has started with grading, shallow ditches and A gravel on the west side of the causeway hill. This road section is the last to dry out in the spring.

Bass Contest

Saturday July 17 has a bass contest run out of Elephant Lake Lodge.

Small bear

Some rain over the past 24 hours, but no effect on the road.
A small bear cub, perhaps 2 feet tall, seen south of the clearing on the new road. No mother spotted. Lots of raspberries are along the road.

Update on road

At 9:30 a.m. Friday there are no major washouts on the road. The part with the most road eroded is some sections of the new road. The water is following the vehicular tracks and since the road in several area does not have compacted gravel on the surface, the sand is washing away. Road still passable. Rain is continuing.

Heavy rain

Friday July 9: heavy rain during the night and continuing into the morning (8 a.m.). Blog will be updated later this morning with pictures.

Road and rain

Moderate rain the last 2 days, but no washouts. Road conditions have not changed from the last several weeks.

Estate Planning Presentations

An estate planning lawyer will be presenting two sessions in our area. This may assist in 'keeping the cottage in the family'.
Pinestone Inn and Country Club July 10, 10 to 11:30 am.
Apsley Royal Canadian Legion Aug 14, 10 to 11:30 am.

http://www.foca.on.ca/haliburton for more information

Need to contact Municipality of Dysart et al. ----info@dysartetal.ca

Painted pointers

Someone has painted rock projectiles on the Tusk Trail to new road passage. Nice work.

Rain and Road

Moderate rain on Wednesday but the road is in good shape. No washouts. A few muddy areas in usual places but not a problem. Beaver is back at culvert. Use the shovel on the east side ditch to remove debris if you see any blocking the culvert.

Bear in area

Last week a bear was spotted on Maple Hill. Numerous piles of scat have appeared on the road from Maple Hill to the north end of the new road. Runners beware.

Mill Hill to Tusk Trail

The municipality has applied 15 loads of A gravel on the generally horizontal sections and several loads of 5/8 minus gravel on the Mill Hill. They recommend rain and lots of vehicular traffic as the way to success on their work. Rain dance coming up for the long weekend.

Go away beaver

The culvert north of Tusk has been cleaned out of debris. This has resulted in drainage (major) from the west side of the road. The beaver has surrendered and taken off for better hunting grounds.
A shovel and extended handle hoe still exists on the east side of the road. Feel free to use it.

Washout area-major rocks

If you remember, the road south of Tusk, beside Whispering Hills residence, was a major washout area last year, exposing rocks. Today the municipality backhoed the rocks out and filled with A gravel. The quantity of rocks removed really was amazing. It should survive the next rainy season.

There is a number of 'fast' ATVs on the cottage road this spring. Since they like driving in the centre of the road, watch around sharp corners (we want to decrease our risk of using our insurance policy!)

Municipality improvements

Today the municipality is grading the road from the mill hill towards Tusk Trail. The grader does a nice job. I tried to get them to continue beyond Tusk, but they only laughed!

Beaver pond north of Tusk

There is a very industrious beaver(s)plugging the culvert. The screens were removed (by some unknown person) and the beaver has packed in about 3 feet of mud into the culvert. Every evening the screen is packed with mud by the beaver and the next day the mud is cleaned from the screen only to be repeated the next day! There is a shovel in the ditch on the east and north side of the culvert. Replace when used.

A person needs hip waders to get into the water to throughly clean out the mud inside the culvert. Once the mud plug is removed and the screens watched closely, the wet puddles on the road should be partially solved.

The beaver is called 'Stephen Harper' since is can prorogue water flow whenever it wants.

West incline

The west incline from the causeway to the island is drying out nicely. But some deep ruts may be a problem if a heavy rain start eroding in the ruts.

West incline from causeway

This is probably the most difficult part of the entire cottage road.

Dry road

As of 3 pm Wednesday April 14, the road is quite dry. The only wet area is the west side of the causeway, going up the hill. Although vehicles have sunk into the wet area, it is still passable. This area can be remedied with a slight ditch on the north side of the road to drain the runoff.

Ice free lake

Strong winds last night opened up the lake. At least 3 vehicles have made it to the cottages. Several muddy areas, but are passable.