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.