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Lake Travel Conditions

3/2/26 – Typically February and March boasts the easiest winter travel conditions. The higher and more direct sunlight slightly melts the top layer of snow while temperatures are still cool enough to freeze the sun-kissed snow into a durable crust (I’m sure there are more factors I’m not accounting for like wind). With the right snowshoes or skis you can often stay above the slushy fray lurking below, but if temperatures raise too much above freezing things turn to slop and before you know it you have frozen blocks of slush attached to your legs. Significant snowfall in February delayed prime travel conditions a bit, but sunny days and cool temperatures toward the end of the month shifted us back in the right direction.

Yesterday I broke out my snowshoes with the largest surface area and headed up the lake. The high topped out at 18° F which was perfect for maintaining the structural integrity of the crusty snow and just a whisp of a breeze made me glad I brought a buff along to cover most of my face. -Jessica

Out of curiosity I stuck one of my snowshoes into the snow to see how far until it hit ice. Before putting these bad boys on I experimented by walking off the beaten path and it was post-hole city.
Just south of Boundary Island an otter is clearly keeping open a couple holes with the equivalent of an otter slip and slide between them.
When looking at the snow surface from a low angle it’s easier to appreciate the “crustiness” of it and how much it really does reflect the sun.
I was very glad I decided to use these giant wooden snowshoes rather than the smaller plastic and steel option I also have. I feel quite certain they wouldn’t have stayed afloat nearly as well.
Chile elected to stay on the previously packed trail for the most part. Anytime he’d stray off he too would crunch through the top layer. Now I’m imagining dog snowshoes so you’re all welcome for that visual.