The wide range of predicted snow accumulations was, fortunately, well off the mark. The 2-12 inches that were forecast ended up as multiple layers of ice, sleet, and snow, ultimately combining for a grand total of less than a couple of inches. Prior to today, the last few afternoons of above-freezing temperatures and brilliant sunshine melted away a good portion of the bay’s snowpack. The freshly accumulated snow is in the form of wet, shallow drifts, occasionally interrupted by bare ice.
The Yellow Gate ice access takes the Bronze today due to a pesky pressure heave that doesn’t always tolerate tires. The Kipling public launch finished with Silver. There are negative marks for the steep slope leading to the ice and deeper water, along with a slushy start until rounding the corner, where traffic disperses into multiple lanes of smoother travel.
And taking Gold is the Red Gate Ice Access/Days River! There’s minimal slush and shallow drifted snow, with well-defined tracks leading out and veering north of the Days River mouth for a nice pathway to Center Reef. Outstanding! I’m not so sure about competitive ice accesses, but ice angling could be considered a Winter Olympic sport, Right?
**Results based on Chevy Suburban traveling the Bay utilizing all ice accesses**
Pictured tonight is water pooling on the southern side of the pressure crack running east and west across the bay. A preferred way to avoid this pressure crack, rather than crossing it, is to skirt around where it mellows on the west side.
Increasing your odds,
-Blade