Getting better

The washout at Clarke and Africa is improving. Water is not running down the road. It may be possible to drive through it both ways. The first turtle hatching has taken place on the causeway. It seems a bit early. Open water developing north of causeway. In general, the cottage road is in the best shape it has been in the last 4 years. Drainage has been very successful.

Troubled culvert

The part of Clarke Road just before Africa Trail is a BIG problem right now. The road is mushy deep, just barely able to get through with an ATV. The problem seems to be the culvert shown in the photo. Although some water is getting through, it is probably partially plugged. Thus water coming down the hill has been diverted under the road and is pouring out in the middle of the road for some distance. Unfortunatley there is not enough solid road to get around it. Perhaps a rocky outcrop is also diverting the drainage. Since this seems to be a new problem, it is most likely a plugged culvert. Beware until it dries.

Potholes

As the frost comes out of the ground, the road heaves and 'hotspots' produce interesting holes. This area is particularly wonderful.

Road

Road is clearing up by the hour. New road is in great shape. It runs north and south and is well exposed to the sun. The north end at the bend is a bit muddy. A strange washout at the bottom of maple hill. near the Africa Trail cutoff. For some reason, although both sides of the road have ditches that are well flowing, an obvious undercut has surfaced in the middle of the road and it is pouring out! This is a new phenomena. A few muddy areas, but trucks can travel as far as Africa Trail and down Clarke Road. But, Africa Trail to the island is still mostly snow and ice. The one plowing this year pushed the snow well off the travelled road and into the ditch area. This worked out well since the melting snow will drain in the ditch and not on the road. This is quite different from pickup trucks plowing, since they establish a small path and keep the snow close to the road and direct the water onto the main road when melting.

Maple Hill

Maple hill is a difficult area with lots of soft snow. In the early morning when the snow is hard it is an 'easy' climb, but when the temperture rises it is a 'challenge'.

Muddy road

Road from maple to mill hill mostly clear of snow. But snow from top of maple hill to island.

Road in transition

Slush snow from island to top of maple hill, thereafter ice to mill hill. Patches of gravel making snowmobiling difficult. Mill hill ice to the top. Half inch hail in morning.