North of the bridge 1/19

[Adam Franco]

Got on the ice at DAR State Park (gate is open, roads unplowed but currently navigable with snow tires and AWD). 

Encountered 4" thick (measured) snow ice that took 5-7 strong stabs to break through. Only did a short 3 mile outing due to lack of daylight. Snow cover was about 50% 1" thick, but seemed to be blowing off in patches. Found one small lane of smooth orange peel, but most of the area we were on had a variable, lightly undulating surface. It wasn't terrible skating, but not ideal.

Encountered one skimmed over drain hole, thankfully visible and not under the snow.