Well That Didn't Last

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It was brief.  Although it is now written (in ink) on our calendar that the lake froze on Thanksgiving Day, it was not to be.  As I had noted here previously, we woke up to a lot of ice on Thursday morning.  As far as we could see to the west, it was completely covered.  Across from us to Canada, and towards the east, we could still see a large lead, but even that was deceptive.  Initially, the lake was so calm that the shoreline and trees were reflected in that lead.  Until the snow started to fall a few hours later, it was difficult to decide if it was mirror ice or flat water.  Once the flakes came and it wasn't turning white over there, we knew that it was still open.

While the south shore was frozen, a number of beings enjoyed it.  The humans wisely only took a step or two, testing the thickness just a foot from shore.  The animals must know something instinctively, as they ventured a bit further. In my morning walk, I saw fox tracks looping along in the bay.  Past the point I found some interesting tracks and slides. I could also see some larger canine tracks.  I had my own thoughts about who may have been walking along, but then our guests Sue and John filled in the picture for me.  They had been fortunate to see a wolf meandering the shoreline.  She had some excellent photos of him. He looked fully coated, and strong and healthy.  As to the tracks and slides, she reported that they had lots of fun watching an otter make his way along in front of Birch cabin.  Steps, steps, sliiiide; steps, steps, sliiiide.  This little guy merrily continued that activity well past the point.  Doesn't it seem like the life of an otter would be really fun?  I picture them like children, giddy with the new ice on which to play.  

But as I said in the beginning, it was over before it began.  We didn't see any changes on Friday, and then on Saturday, the thermometer started to rise.  Large black patches and streaks appeared.  The ice was cracking, and water was seeping to the surface.  By Saturday night, the wind was beginning to blow. In the early stages of ice formation, that is a death knell.  Sure enough, by the next day, it was all gone in front of us.  Here we are, back to stage one.  The wind is continuing today, and the trees are once again frosted over from the moisture blowing up off the surface. For a while, I was thinking that we would have only five ice-free months on Gunflint Lake this year. But it looks like we are back to six--June through November with open waters. That's pretty average, and it's all right by me.

Bitter temperatures have accompanied the wind. The lake is definitely cold enough to freeze completely, so it is once again a matter of waiting for things to calm down.  Our wind forecast only goes a few days out, and right now, it is to continue. It may be this week for a freeze, it may be next.  With a fresh slate like this, it gives us another chance at skate-able ice, once it does go.

Next on the List: Ice

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Since my last post was about snow, I thought that this one could be about ice.  This morning the porch screens were covered in frost, the usual sign that moisture is escaping the lake as the waters cool down.  Sure enough, once the foggy air began to clear, we could see that ice was forming.  My initial view looked as though it was about twenty feet of shelf ice in front of us, and then open waters.  But we are seeing a bit more clearly with every moment that raises the sun higher.  For all intents and purposes, it definitely looks like the lake could freeze over completely today. 

Our morning low was -18.  The few weeks leading up to this have been very windy, allowing the lake waters to mix and cool off.  A further mark in favor of early ice is the fact that the lake overall never really warmed up all that much last summer.  It was a late ice-out, and those who braved the swimming often told me of how chilly it felt.  It's been a while since the lake froze in November.  I won't sign off yet on it being definite, but it's looking highly probable.

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

 

It's Time Now!

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After a weekend of warmer temperatures, what little snow we had began to disappear.  We had not had the big snows that hit the lower part of the state, yet we were off to a fair start.  But when the temp goes above freezing, and there is no base, it doesn't take long for things to go.  On top of that, a bit of freezing drizzle came down on Sunday, making for early treacherous roads.  It was a bit of a relief to have the temp go above freezing, to take care of the road.

Overnight, the wind started to howl, and snow arrived.  The forecast wasn't for any huge amounts, but still, it was enough to get things looking good.  I stepped out late in the afternoon to catch these photos.

It's always nice to have snow by Thanksgiving, so we are right on schedule.  No skiing yet, but a good time for a walk in the woods.

Hiking to Magnetic Rock

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It's been more years than I care to admit since I have hiked to Magnetic Rock.  It's a favorite destination for many of our guests. In recent years, I have been trying to make hiking a priority, when I can find the time.  Deep inside, I know that I really must take the time, and as a result, I've gotten out more.  Sometimes, this works out better if I have another incentive, like a beautiful day, or the desire to take photographs, or someone to hike with.  In this case, my motivation lay in a relatively new venture for me: geocaching.

After acquiring a GPS unit last year, I joined the website geocaching.com. Occasional emails arrive to tell me what is going on in that realm of the world. I saw one in early October that alerted me to the fact that October 12 was International Earth Cache Day. As the Geocaching.com website puts it, "An EarthCache is a special geological location people visit to learn about a unique feature of the Earth." Unlike traditional geocaches, there is no box or cache associated with it. Rather, the location itself is the geocache. By hiking to an earth cache on that day, I could earn a little souvenir button to have on my profile page.  Nothing special, but in this case, incentive enough to get me out on the trail on that particular day.

The schedule of the day did not go quite as I had planned.  Greg was in town, and we were expecting some new guests in. I was waiting for him to get home, so that I could take off.  His schedule turned out to be much different than he anticipated, and when he finally did return, it was nearing five o'clock.  I knew the distance to the rock, and I knew what time the sun would go down.  Would I make it there and back before dark?  I had to try.  Off I drove to the trail head.

It had been a beautiful day, and now the sun was low in the sky.  I strapped on my fanny pack, turned on my GPS and headed onto the trail.  It happened to be the weekend that the Border Route Trail Association had been working in the area, and I had first-hand knowledge that they had cleared the trail of downfalls and brush on Friday.  Hiking was thankfully easy, as the trail is well-used and clearly marked.  I kept a good pace going, with only a few stops to take pictures.  

As I approached the rock, the sun was lowering into the golden range.  So pretty!  On any other day, I might not have considered doing the hike at this hour, but here I was by necessity. (I had to get that little badge!) It made for better pictures than I am normally capable of achieving--what a bonus.  I noted that it had taken me about 35 minutes to reach the rock, which gave me just barely enough time to make it out before dusk really set in.  I snapped a few more photos, took a quick reading of my coordinates, and headed back.

In the end, I was able to get to the car, just as it was getting harder to judge footing on the path.  Made it--just in the nick of time.  I went home, logged on to my computer, and snagged my prize.  But the real prize was actually getting out on that particular trail again. I now have a fresh memory in mind when I recommend to my guests that the hike to Magnetic Rock is fabulous.