2 gates logging road

The road from the mill hill to the island is in surprising good shape. The most difficult part is around the '2 gates logging road'. Lacking ditching, the water stays on the road and does not drain. Vehicles have made it through this year. If you get off the travelled part of the road you may need a shovel and creative imagination.

Ice free lake

Ice is gone.

Breakup

Long leads extending into the lake. Turkeys active on the island. Racoons, snuggled into winter hiding areas, are wandering around the cottages, looking for easy food.

Soft mud

The road near 'two gates logging road' is soft as you can see from the photo. Don't stop in the middle. If you pass the beaver culvert north of Tusk, there is a shovel that you can use to clear debris that the beaver uses to flood our road.

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.