token wrote:

Looking at the map I think Sec lake might be ice free??? I wonder if it is if you could get a permit?

hmm

Getting a permit for ice free areas will be the big question...I think there is a good possibility you will see somewhat smaller access lakes like smoke and canoe go out in the next 3-4 days...but Opeongo, maybe not till next weekend or so. So say Canoe is clear on Tuesday...but Opeongo still is blocked by ice up to Happy Isle etc, do they open up Canoe and Smoke? Same as the Magnettawan/Rain lake area, Sec as mentioned above. In years past we would change destinations according to ice conditions if need be. Most people cannot change days off this close to their trip, but you would change lakes accordingly. So we wait and see. But hey, if all lakes are still ice covered till next weekend, moot point.

Moonman.

71 wrote:

token wrote:

Looking at the map I think Sec lake might be ice free??? I wonder if it is if you could get a permit?

hmm

there's no trout in Sec!
 

Id be so excited to be in my canoe I'd just paddle around Sec Lake all day!

keep it coming...hoping for a big week!

71

Okay, now that I've been proven wrong (so much for the 25th) I'm starting to panic for things being fully open by Friday. I agree the sat images show progress daily but will it be enough? Double digit highs and above-freezing overnight temps would be nice and I'm not seeing that anywhere in the forecast. Hopefully we'll learn plans for the flyover in the next couple of days--assuming they're sticking with the 28th as the 'opening date'.
 

I'm still wondering if Things will open up for next Monday may 2.

I can change my itinerary- but not my days off. 

I'm just watching ice out and hoping a few days of sun open things up!  I really want to do a kayak trip

My backup plan is hiking - but looks like Algonquin hiking trails may be closed due to flooding - I might end up in Killarney- luckily the la cloche trail doesn't take reservations until May 5 - so if I go for a few days ( may 2-3-4 ) I should be able to get the sites I want . First come first serve - can't imagine Monday being too busy

Looking forward to seeing an update from the park today with new pictures, the ones they have up now are from last wednesday. Also would be nice to get an indication of if they will be opening any ice free areas, before some others that are not open. Some areas on the south and east periphery look just about open right now.....

Moonman.

Someone posted this on Facebook yesterday, saying "Opeongo, this afternoon". 

Just outside of Bala. Snowed enough to cover the ground and since has turned to ice pellets, even though the temp is a balmy +1. Glad to here you didn't get it on your side of Muskoka. Judging by the radar it has stayed south of you. Here's to hoping for a better rest of the week.

For those of you who have followed this in previous years, if they decide to push the date back further than the 28th, how long will they likely wait before announcing it? My current plan is to paddle up the Tim River to Devine Lake starting on the 28th, but that is looking like it might not be possible with the ice.