Click to View the Full Thread

Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Glass Ice on BWCA Lakes
 
Author Message Text
Wendigo41
12/11/2020 05:52AM
 
On the Ely side good skating on Tofte and the south shore of Burntside.
Some of the lakes the ice is a little rough from refreezing and snow melt.
 
Banksiana
12/11/2020 09:17AM
 
On the Ely side- good skate skiing and classic skiing on most lakes.
 
WIMike
12/11/2020 09:34AM
 
Going up tomorrow to look around. Anyone know a good drive-to
spot to see the glass ice? Also, a recommendation on a section or two of SHT to hike? Thanks
 
Banksiana
12/15/2020 12:07PM
 
A year or two ago I had friends that skied (skate skied) from Moose Lake to the Gunflint, stayed two nights in a cabin and skis back. It was spring skiing. I had to work.
 
Pinetree
12/15/2020 01:40PM
 
Banksiana: "A year or two ago I had friends that skied (skate skied) from Moose Lake to the Gunflint, stayed two nights in a cabin and skis back. It was spring skiing. I had to work."


Thanks
 
Pinetree
12/15/2020 11:54AM
 
glass
 
TrailZen
12/15/2020 02:14PM
 
We had 'glass ice' locally (western North Carolina) a couple years ago. We didn't know what it was called then, but were impressed with the clarity...
TZ



 
WaveRunner
12/10/2020 10:49AM
 
Rare glass ice on BWCA lakes
 
WaveRunner
12/10/2020 12:09PM
 
The link to the video shows the current ice conditions. It looks beautiful, if it wasn’t so far, I’d consider making the drive just for the once in a lifetime skating opportunity!
 
IronRangeMike
12/10/2020 03:01PM
 
Isabella wasn't quite glass like but I had fun.... If only the walleyes had cooperated hahaha.






 
WaveRunner
12/10/2020 01:08PM
 
Not sure about pulling a sled, but I have had the opportunity to skate on frozen lakes and rivers, but not in the Boundary Waters. It’s quite amazing, and with the right skates, not hard to maintain 15 mph if the ice is good. To see expansive areas of the Boundary Waters, it would probably be best to get blades that attach to cross country skate ski boots. Then when you want to cross portage, just take the blades off and walk to the next lake. You could cover a lot of territory!
 
Wendigo41
12/14/2020 06:32AM
 
Skating Burntside.


Would be a great year to own an ice boat.
 
Stumpy
12/14/2020 10:27AM
 
IronRangeMike: "Isabella wasn't quite glass like but I had fun.... If only the walleyes had cooperated hahaha.







"



Amazing..... Good for you !
 
Pinetree
12/14/2020 11:59AM
 
Some been skating all the way to Basswood rom Moose lake and back the same day.
 
Banksiana
12/14/2020 12:28PM
 
Pinetree: "Some been skating all the way to Basswood rom Moose lake and back the same day."


A nice skate ski is Moose to Prairie Portage and back through Basswood and Wind Bay/Wind Lake.
 
Pinetree
12/14/2020 01:00PM
 
Banksiana: "Pinetree: "Some been skating all the way to Basswood rom Moose lake and back the same day."



A nice skate ski is Moose to Prairie Portage and back through Basswood and Wind Bay/Wind Lake."



When I was a little younger and had a lot of energy I was always going to do that loop.


I did ski Up to Prairie Portage and past like 3 miles and ski back the same way.


I wonder how long it would take to go from Moose lake landing and come out via Saganaga. maybe too much with short days.
I know I have went from Dorothy Moulters to Moose lake landing pulling a sled before in decent time.
 
BendingBranchesPaddler
12/10/2020 12:22PM
 
Seeing these conditions have added a bucket list item for me - it won't work this year, but hopefully the next time this happens I'd love to take a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the BWCA - I would be able to cover a lot more ground faster on skates than in my canoe!


Definitely would make trip planning a bit different though.
 
Duckman
12/10/2020 12:54PM
 
I wonder how easy it is to pull a sled on skates?
 
Duckman
12/10/2020 04:27PM
 
I think it would be a blast to skate up Sawbill, portage, and then skate and explore Cherokee.
 
THEGrandRapids
12/10/2020 02:38PM
 
We parachute skate around Grand Rapids when the conditions hit just right. 6' parachute- no elaborate harness and kite. Might be the most joy you ever have. I figure this happens about once every 7-8 years, and the window is never open long.
 
Parnell
12/21/2020 09:56PM
 
Duckman: "I think it would be a blast to skate up Sawbill, portage, and then skate and explore Cherokee
I agree