Author: lacdesroches

Less than a week after frigid temperatures and almost a foot of fresh snow, high daytime temperatures and above freezing night temperatures are contributing to sudden and extreme melting.  The startling roar of snow and ice sliding off metal roofs has begun and will likely continue through the upcoming week of expected mild weather. Similar to last year, some structures may be at risk of damage, particularly  roof vents, stacks and balcony railings, all in the path of falling snow.  Winter residents in each subdivision traditionally keep watch over vacant cabins for signs of pending hazards.

Any way you look at the snow this year, whether praising it or cursing it, every one agrees the snow is amazing.

Clearing crunch.  Residents clearing snow from decks and driveways have run out of room to push and pile the snow and many have been forced to revert to snowblowers and throwers from snow ploughs and shovels.

Sledders pleased.    Sledders claim that the fresh and deep snow on trails and cut blocks in the surrounding hills is the best they have ever enjoyed this year.

 

 

 

 

 

Melting snow.  Winter residents are keeping a watchful eye on cabins for sliding and melting snow with the current daytime warming trend. While it is unlikely we will experience the same amount of damage to structures from sliding ice as last year, the build up of snow and resulting melt water could put some residences at risk of flooding.

Trekking in the snow.  The Boultbee gals have wisely set aside every Sunday as “snowshoe day” instead of the regular noon walk on the road.  The ladies have been exploring the many trails and destination points close by and despite the hundreds of dead trees that litter the forest floor and infrequently-used trails, the deep snow covers much of the debris and aids snow shoeing on some of their more rugged routes.

Lake snow.  Deep snow on the lake has its pros and cons.  While sledding on the lake is better with deep snow than on just bare ice, walking with only boots is difficult unless on an old and hardened sled path.  As always, the weight of the snow will force overflow water up through cracks and natural holes and despite the cold snap of -20 C nights in February, there were several inches of slush all around Rock Island.

Skiing on snow.  Spring skiing on the lake has always been popular and it just got a whole lot better.  Several Boultbee Road residents pooled their resources and inventive spirits and have created a cross-country ski track sled.  After several trial runs and modifications, the group is close to having a successful design that would please most nordic skiers on the lake.  The last task will be to put up some signs to deter walkers, sledders and snowshoers from inadvertently destroying the set tracks.

The blanket of deep snow on the lake has kept the ice quiet this winter.  Absent this year are the haunting bangs and warbles of cracking ice as the temperatures changes back and forth from the chilly nights to the warmish days.  In their place this year are the sounds of wood expanding and contracting which fills the morning and evening air.  Since our forests are a mixture of deciduous and conifer trees, it is unclear if the sound is particular to any species, but most definitely, their are strange noises emitting from tree trunks. This small spruce tree on the Falkner Lake trail might emit a noise but the shroud of over 3 feet of snow would certainly muffle it.

Several Boutlbee gals accepted an invitation to the inaugural and very successful “ladies auction” held at nearby Lee Road on Feb. 21.  The concept of inviting area ladies to bring unwanted items to be auctioned off among friends and neighbours was borrowed by the auction hosts who had attended similar events in the Okanagan.  Most of the estimated 75 items were auctioned off to a very pleased purchaser.  The selection was varied with; books, clothes, jewellery, appliances, craft items and decorator pieces, all potential bargains since the bidding for the majority of items started at only $1.  The Lac des Roches ladies were pleased with their purchases such as a “used once” crock pot for $5 and brand new pure wool knee socks for $1 amid the pleased sellers whom obviously had no further need for these items. The hosts are hoping the idea has “taken off” and that one or more of the attendees will consider hosting another auction in the neighbourhood. The Boultbee gals have indicated they would enjoy doing just that when more summer residents return to the lake.

There continues to be active – and very noisy logging – all around Lac des Roches. The feller buncher working just on the other side of the south-west shore mountain can be heard clearly all day and night and is responsible for the subtle and surprising alteration to the horizon as trees disappear from the crest of the hill from the cut blocks on the back side of the hill.  One resident has been told that log hauling from the north, down Wavey Lake road, will end within 2 weeks.  The snow ploughing will likely cease if there are no logging trucks using this forest service road – happy news to sledders who use this road to access trails.  Other log hauling could last until spring break-up forces road restrictions.  In order to meet targets, some mills switch to earlier unloading hours which places logging trucks on the roads and highways in the very early hours of the morning.  With logging trucks hauling – what seems like – both day and night, drivers are cautioned to take extra care on the roads.

 

Undeterred by the frigid temperatures in early February, this young family from the lower mainland ventured up to Lac des Roches to visit relatives.  The cold snap ended just in time for the family day weekend and the few visitors to the lake were rewarded with beautiful calm, warmer and sunny days, perfect for snowmobiling in the hills, tobogganing on the slopes, making angels in the snow and long walks on the lake.

 

The ladies who walk regularly on Boultbee Road have expanded their daily regime to include a snowshoe trek once a week. Since the beginning of the year, the ladies have spent their Sundays exploring old trails and meadows in the immediate area, averaging 5 to 6 kilometers each trip. Although there is enough snow to plan treks for the next couple of months, the warmer temperatures and sunny days of late winter may result in slushy snow conditions which could shorten the remaining season of snowshoeing.

 

 

 

An avalanche in our terrain is a rare occurrence – thankfully – but recently, an avalanche fell near Lac des Roches and can be seen on

private land above Highway 24, just east of the rest stop.  In a steep ravine at the Cottage Lane access point, the top layer of snow broke free and fell down in big chunks towards the road.  This is a timely reminder to everyone venturing out in the woods that avalanche warnings for hillier areas throughout the province could apply to Lac des Roches as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even if not pulling a track setting machine, sledders on the lake often provide the perfect track for cross country skiers, as this resident shows in this interesting picture.  A slow-moving snowmobile, particularly one with small paddles on its track, will set outside ridges for skis and paths for poles that easily suit the stance of most adult skiers.

So often, the wild animals that live around Lac des Roches move unseen by residents, under the cover of darkness.  A stroll around the neighbourhood, particularly after a snowfall, will usually reveal some evidence of animal activity.  A resident recently came across these tracks on the shore of Boultbee Road.  Tracks indicated that a moose came across the ice from the south shore, crossed the otter’s slide marks, then continued along the north shore, on the same route as the otter.  At the same point and on the day before, a coyote had veered away from the shore.  This photo shows clearly that the otter slid under the tree, the moose stepped over the tree and the coyote trotted around the tree.