5 replies to this topic

[swankzr]

Does anybody know if the lakes are safe yet? Off the record so to speak...

[OldViperRider]

swankzr, on Jan 22 2008, 10:22 AM, said:

Does anybody know if the lakes are safe yet? Off the record so to speak...

There have been a lot of sleds traveling the First Connecticut Lake, but I would never use Lake Francis.

You can never tell about that lake. The conditions on that lake change faster than on any of the other of the lakes up here. One minute an area will be safe and half an hour later there is a big crack; where solid ice used to be. I just make a rule to never use it.

Mark

[RX1TON]

OldViperRider, on Jan 22 2008, 10:30 AM, said:

There have been a lot of sleds traveling the First Connecticut Lake, but I would never use Lake Francis.

You can never tell about that lake. The conditions on that lake change faster than on any of the other of the lakes up here. One minute an area will be safe and half an hour later there is a big crack; where solid ice used to be. I just make a rule to never use it.

Mark

Its funny how opinions differ.
Other than the inlet to lake Francis, I do not think anyone has gone in, or had any similar issues, the lake just carries a bad name because of this one spot
However seems as though 1st lake has had many pressure ridge issues causing many injuries, and damages all over the lake.
All of the lake Francis issues seem to come from the inlet to the lake which somehow draws the swimmers over there. Although I don't suggest crossing any of the major lakes right now, they have been crossing both for a couple weeks now, and there are ice fishermen out there on both. If your not familiar and don't know ice thickness don't go.

[OldViperRider]

RX1TON, on Jan 22 2008, 06:26 PM, said:

Its funny how opinions differ.
....................... If your not familiar and don't know ice thickness don't go.

That is what I should have make perfectly clear. If you are not very familiar with a lake don't ride it, especially at night!

Mark

[dualmass]

RX1TON, on Jan 22 2008, 06:26 PM, said:

Its funny how opinions differ.
Other than the inlet to lake Francis, I do not think anyone has gone in, or had any similar issues, the lake just carries a bad name because of this one spot
However seems as though 1st lake has had many pressure ridge issues causing many injuries, and damages all over the lake.
All of the lake Francis issues seem to come from the inlet to the lake which somehow draws the swimmers over there. Although I don't suggest crossing any of the major lakes right now, they have been crossing both for a couple weeks now, and there are ice fishermen out there on both. If your not familiar and don't know ice thickness don't go.

Funny you should say this.
Someone asked me the other day about the lakes, I told them exactly what you just said.
Say away from the rivers and brooks on any lake,

I rode the lakes from errol to rangely the other day, it was excellent, the best ride i know of.

[swankzr]

I am very familiar with Lake Francis and have been crossing it for 20 years now. For 15 years I use to stay at Gary's and would rely on his word about whether or not we could cross it. Now I have my own place and end up waiting until I find out the thickness one way or another.
I agree with everyone about if you do not know the lake you should be very careful and not go on it at night.