Lake Champlain Report 2/19/25

[Daniel Spada]

Three of us set out from Stephenson Bay on the NY side above Port Henry  this morning.  Follow along on the attached track.  Access was extremely difficult.  The usual parking area was occluded by deep snow banks.  Parking is almost non-existent.  The shoreline was slush under deep snow in the morning (9:30am). It was a 1/10th mile slog to get to decent ice; we had to walk out to just south of the point of land.  The surface was micro-textured as we put on, but soon became a smooth, black ice lane heading north around the point of land on the NY side.  The black ice was stable, strong and about 2.5" to 3" thick.  Within a mile or so it gave way to mostly smooth grey, strong slush ice that was 3" to 5" thick.  Occasional ripples made for some tough going as we headed north in the center of the lake.  We zig-zagged on skateable lanes jumping wet cracks, healed cracks, open cracks and pressure ridges.  Fun!  There were a few scattered skimmed over windholes that had to be identified and avoided.  We finally ended at a broad open water lead that was apparently created when a plate cracked and separated; only George Washington could have crossed this one.  We backed out toward the south and, not wanting to be thwarted, crossed over into the wilds of Vermont around Potash Bay.  We headed north from there on a sidewalk of smooth gray ice that was highly fractured.  Many polygons and cracks of all sorts with pressure ridges.  We were able to cross all and made our way up into Button Bay.  You can see from the track that we did not get too close to the point or to the NY/VT border before we encountered a very large plate of .5" to 1" black ice that extended as far as we could see into Northwest Bay on the NY side.  This may set up nicely tonight and could present some very spicy skating tomorrow.  We headed back south retracing our steps for lunch at the Middlebury Sailing Center in Panton.  We were able to skate slightly further south than the latitude of our put in before being turned west by a huge rubble/snow field.  For those attempting this from Vermont I would say that the Middlebury Sailing Center (https://maps.app.goo.gl/PuCbZ3RREwZqJ1Dm6) or Potash Bay are good put ins if you can find a legal place to park.  Entry onto smooth ice is quick with very little to no rubble to cross.  From the NY side I can offer no suggestions for access.  Unless you know someone who owns a camp along the lake, access is pretty slim.  Mostly because of the amount of snow.  The weather forecast for the next day or so is very promising and the thin spots today should firm up over night.  Get it while you can.

Respectfully  submitted,

Dan

[Kevin Boyle]

Kevin Boyle

Linear Art Studio

518-593-6633

On Feb 19, 2025, at 9:41 PM, Daniel Spada <spada...@gmail.com> wrote:



Three of us set out from Stephenson Bay on the NY side above Port Henry  this morning.  Follow along on the attached track.  Access was extremely difficult.  The usual parking area was occluded by deep snow banks.  Parking is almost non-existent.  The shoreline was slush under deep snow in the morning (9:30am). It was a 1/10th mile slog to get to decent ice; we had to walk out to just south of the point of land.  The surface was micro-textured as we put on, but soon became a smooth, black ice lane heading north around the point of land on the NY side.  The black ice was stable, strong and about 2.5" to 3" thick.  Within a mile or so it gave way to mostly smooth grey, strong slush ice that was 3" to 5" thick.  Occasional ripples made for some tough going as we headed north in the center of the lake.  We zig-zagged on skateable lanes jumping wet cracks, healed cracks, open cracks and pressure ridges.  Fun!  There were a few scattered skimmed over windholes that had to be identified and avoided.  We finally ended at a broad open water lead that was apparently created when a plate cracked and separated; only George Washington could have crossed this one.  We backed out toward the south and, not wanting to be thwarted, crossed over into the wilds of Vermont around Potash Bay.  We headed north from there on a sidewalk of smooth gray ice that was highly fractured.  Many polygons and cracks of all sorts with pressure ridges.  We were able to cross all and made our way up into Button Bay.  You can see from the track that we did not get too close to the point or to the NY/VT border before we encountered a very large plate of .5" to 1" black ice that extended as far as we could see into Northwest Bay on the NY side.  This may set up nicely tonight and could present some very spicy skating tomorrow.  We headed back south retracing our steps for lunch at the Middlebury Sailing Center in Panton.  We were able to skate slightly further south than the latitude of our put in before being turned west by a huge rubble/snow field.  For those attempting this from Vermont I would say that the Middlebury Sailing Center (https://maps.app.goo.gl/PuCbZ3RREwZqJ1Dm6) or Potash Bay are good put ins if you can find a legal place to park.  Entry onto smooth ice is quick with very little to no rubble to cross.  From the NY side I can offer no suggestions for access.  Unless you know someone who owns a camp along the lake, access is pretty slim.  Mostly because of the amount of snow.  The weather forecast for the next day or so is very promising and the thin spots today should firm up over night.  Get it while you can.

Respectfully  submitted,

Dan

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<Lake Champlain - 021925.docx>

[Kevin Boyle]

Thanks for the heads up about the Westport boat launch. For now I think the best access is from the water plant on adams ferry road which is at Arnold bay on the Vt side. There’s usually parking on the side of the road at the top of the hill. The steep walk down the hill has been plowed. The approach to skateable ice is short. You’ll likely have to travel north or south on a lane against shore to reach better plates. 

Kevin Boyle

Linear Art Studio

518-593-6633

On Feb 20, 2025, at 7:26 AM, Elizabeth Lee <lakesi...@gmail.com> wrote:



Northwest Bay skimmed over last night. Looks like one thin channel of open water near the VT shore. Probably needs another night to build some thickness. As of this morning the Westport boat launch hadn't been plowed but hopefully they get to it today. I'll report at end of day. Could be good on Friday or Saturday.

Elizabeth

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[Kevin Boyle]

I skated solo from Arnold bay. The terrain covered was largely the same as yesterday but I was able to do a decent amount on the newest plate, staying relatively close to the rubble band. I turned back numerous times when the thickness dropped to 1 1/2” or less. 

30 miles total. 

Kevin Boyle

Linear Art Studio

518-593-6633

On Feb 20, 2025, at 8:03 AM, Kevin Boyle <southern...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks for the heads up about the Westport boat launch. For now I think the best access is from the water plant on adams ferry road which is at Arnold bay on the Vt side. There’s usually parking on the side of the road at the top of the hill. The steep walk down the hill has been plowed. The approach to skateable ice is short. You’ll likely have to travel north or south on a lane against shore to reach better plates.