We're all set to head up to Sproule Lake this weekend but this week's warm weather has me concerned. This maybe a ridiculous question, but what kind of snow condiditions should we expect? I am not familiar enough with Algonquin in the winter to predict the results of the thaw and rain over the next few days followed by sub zero temperatures. Are a few days of above zero temperatures going to have a great effect on lake ice thickness?

Thanks

Andrew G.

We're camping this wknd too...I've posted the same question in other forums and got the following:
http://www.myccr.com/SectionForums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=32162

http://wintertrekking.com/index.php?topic=356.msg2762#new

http://wintertrekking.com/index.php?topic=360.msg2757#new

I wouldn't worry too much about ice thickness. It takes a heck of a lot more days & nights at warmer temps than this to make much difference.

Don't know about north of Barrie, but we've lost most of the nice snow in the last couple of days. Grass and dirt are showing in spots, in fact.

Give the Wolf Den a call, maybe they can give you up-to-date conditions of the snow.
http://www.wolfdenbunkhouse.com/

Or call the Park...but its information line is only open Fri - Sun in the winter.
http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/geninfo/contact.html

Weather forecast, Lake of Two Rivers:
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/on-29_metric_e.html




Barbara

While I was in the park 2 weeks ago, there was up to 1 meter plus of fresh packed snow in many areas onland. Over the ice, the deepths were around a foot or so. While I would be cautious of walking on any lakes right now (Fork Lake had some sluchy parts back then) You will likely find that the snow will have packed down considerably over the last few days, makeing for an easier (but likely sliperier) snowshow into your camp.

Have a great time, but be cautious of the ice.



Jeff P
http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the links and advice. We'll be cautious around water but my biggest concern now is pulling a sled across 1345m of mud instead of snow!

As Barbara suggested a call should straighten things out.

Hey Andrew G.,

We did have some rain on the weekend up here making the snow settle quite a bit and we had freezing rain today. But there is still lots of snow out there.

I found while snowshoeing on the weekend that the snow was a little sloppy because of the mild temps. This made my snowshoes very heavy because the snow was accumulating on them. I was pretty winded after a 45 min snowshoe.

The lakes around Muskoka are very slushy and snowmobiles had been getting stuck on the lakes quite a bit.

I would strong suggest always checking ice conditions with a ice chisel and carrying ice picks. The lakes are most like still safe but I would still be very cautious. All that snow on the ice acts as an insulator and the lake will not make much ice even in temps of -30C.

As Barbara state it takes a lot of extremely mild day for the ice to go out.

To quote a friend of mine "the ice is only going out if it rains hot water for a week"



SBA

Regarding the snow conditions - depends on how soon things freeze up after the rain and how much rain you get there. I'd suspect the conditions on the lake to be icy/hard-surfaced if it goes back down to -10 or so for at least 36 hours after the rain, but you may break through the crust in spots and it'll likely be slushy closer to the ice's surface while on Sproule. Otherwise you may 'luck out' and be able to walk everywhere where the crust is thick quite easily on exposed areas, other spots may still be a bit punky. As others have stated, no worries about the safety of the ice on these lakes, it's likely 2.5+ feet thick now and this little rain isn't going to do anything to change that. In general, I would be careful around any lake narrow (e.g. <100m) spots and where tributaries flow in/out - that's where the ice is prone to be thinner due to any current and changing water levels. My large 180pd Ridgeback (dog) fell through the ice at Bennett Lake a few years back in February at a narrows spot - scary but I got him out. Never been to Sproule Lake so I don't know the water there in terms of existing current or not.

I would make sure you pack some rubber boots as I think you might be in a situation where there is a top layer of ice 1" thick or so, some water 5-6" and then the 24 " of the good ice, we are on Kasshabog below Bancroft and that is what our lake is like right now. Lots of ice but more than likely water on top...good luck, at least it is going to be a fairly warm weekend for you...

That's an excellent idea, Ken.

Is it still winter? From the looks of things, I think I should be getting the lawn mower out.



Barbara

I have to get to an island cottage this weekend and figure to be breaking through the top layer all the way across. nothing worse than wet feet in the winter time....no sign of my lawnmower coming out for awhile.but this is putting a big hurt on the amount of snow in the back yard, if memory serves me correct family day was pretty much like this last year..

Have fun Andrew. Hopefully you'll have much less snow to trudge through!
Maybe all this rain and then colder temps on the weekend will turning the lake ice into a skating rink?
One never knows!
Look forward to your report on your return.





Mark Rubino
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler - Blog
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Thanks for everyone's comments, they have been very helpful.

I had a chat with a fellow from Bracebridge today who assured me that there will still be enough snow on the ground to pull sleds... We were inside all day in a conference room, which I am sure was colder than it was outside, and emerged to see fog and lots of rain (Toronto). I wonder if he is rethinking...

I'll let you know how everything goes (if the trails are icy just think how fast the sleds will go!!)


Andrew.