Grafton Pond

[Matt Steinberg]

Hi Everyone,

I was asked to go check Grafton this morning and unfortunately I do not have a lot of good news to report. At the launch by the dam, there is about 2.5 inches of snow covered grey ice. This quickly transitions to 2.5 inches of black ice and 1/4 mile from shore it transitions to 1.25 inch black ice that is unsupportable. Beyond that about 500 feet is open water as far as you can see. I arrived early before the sun was shining on the lake and the temp was 23. I skated the 2.5 inch grey and black ice until the sun started shining on it in full. At that point the ice started forming companion cracks and then in a few minutes, zipper cracks that were wet. My indication to get off the ice. The 2.5 inch grey ice that was snow covered was still ok for a bit but then started to get sticky and gummy. When I left, it was full sun and 34 degrees. There is ice all along the SW shore that I could see and confirm with the satellite image . It is just not possible to get to without a bushwack portage (which I tried) and is highly unlikely you would find a solid area on the shore to get back on (which I did not) as they were few and far between. Bottom line, I had fun skating for an hour or so in a small area on some good ice until it warmed up and then I got off. I would say avoid this one until we get a good deep freeze which will hopefully be soon.

Matt

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