Guest Road

Guest Road is drying up, but still some snow on the hill.

Beaver Pond

Lack of a ditch on the west side causes drainage to cross the road making this area particularly wet.

Around Beaver Pond south of New Road

Snow built up along the sides of the road plus a narrow road lead to no drainage and a regular mud bowl. But when the road is wider, there is good drainage into ditches.

Maple hill to New Road

The road has only a few muddy areas. It is quite passable.

Always muddy

The hill north of the start of Africa Trail, just past Clarke Road continuing down the hill to the lake, has always been a difficult area, especially during rains.

Terry's upgrade

The lifted and upgraded road completed last September is in excellent shape. Raising the road and establishing deep ditches has allowed the road to dry up very quickly.

The lack of snow this winter will assist the roads getting into seasonal condition.

Maple hill crown

As was mentioned at our association meeting last year, the crown on Maple hill is quite high. It seems to be 'uplifting' since the sides seem to be 'downshifting'. Several small potholes appearing on the road.

Maple hill water

The water is flowing well along both sides of Maple hill.

More mud

Three days until spring.

Prespring mud

Lake ice is still solid for walking. Frost is starting to come out of the road. Some parts are difficult to travel, even for an ATV. Snow geese flew over the island for the first time this year. One butterfly spotted. Maple sap is gushing now that night temperatures are below zero and day time temperature is well above freezing.

Ice conditions

There is about 3 inches of slush covering 6 inches of honeycombed ice and about 1 foot of solid ice on the bottom. Total thickness is close to 2 feet.

Causeway

Causeway at mid-month.

Signs of erosion

Hills are the first to show erosion, especially if sandy. New road is the first section to show water flow.

North end new road

March 12, 10 a.m.

Chipmunks

In 2009 chipmunks first spotted March 10. In 2010 it was March 12.

Mill hill shown in photo.

Two white swans flew over the island March 10.

Maple sap was basically stopped yesterday.

Ice/mud road

The road from Tusk is mostly ice, but patches of mud are quickly appearing. Snow in the forest is still very deep.

Photo is the new road.

Mill hill road is half ice and half mud.

Warming up

Some areas of the road have exposed mud, but most of the road from Tusk (East Bay road) has packed snow, becoming slushy in the afternoon. The new road is probably the most difficult to travel due to the depth of the slush. Early morning travel is probably the easiest due to the frozen snow and ground.

East Bay road is extremely muddy with several sink holes making it dangerous for unsuspecting drivers.

Photo is the bottom of Maple Hill.

Maple sap flowing

+7 deg. C and sap is flowing on the island. One tree produced 2 litres sap after a late afternoon tap. Snow is still quite deep in the forest. Lots of snowmobile activity on the lake.

Maple sap

Local commercial producers of maple syrup have been tapping trees this week and at least one has predicted some flow of sap this weekend with daily temperatures possibly reaching 8 deg. C.

Road from mill hill to Tusk (East Bay road) has major areas of exposed gravel. From Tusk to the island is still snow covered.

Rink probably will not be cleared of wet snow.

Mar. 1

As of 9 am Monday March 1, road is unplowed from Tusk. At least one vehicle has travelled as far as maple hill. Road is fairly compacted due to lots of snowmobile activity.