Beach Snowshoe

Yesterday temperatures were in the mid 40s -- the warmest in Grand Marais so far this year.  I was doing paper work when friend, Lois, called and asked me to do a quick snowshoe.  We met at the boardwalk and headed down the beach to First Creek, and then walked up the stairs and along the bluff back east to our car.  The stiff wind pushed the ice to the north and northeast, freeing up a large section of the lake.  Because the wind keeps switching, there is extreme difference in the ice off shore.  Thanks, Lois, for calling.  It was beautiful, although a bit windy.

Sand covered ice located straight north from Agate Beach.  Notice the blue ice chunks between the shore icebergs and the open water.

Looking west...

Although it looks like open sand -- it is not.  There is some sand, but more ice.

The first row of icebergs is actually on shore with beach underneath.  Even this row that seems solid has cracks throughout.  If you visit the Great Lakes shoreline -- it is not safe to go out onto the ice.

Notice the driftwood teepee in the bottom left.  Grand Sable Banks are beyond that...

Looking east....

First Creek area...

From the bluff:  a close up of the blue tinted ice chunks piled up just off shore...

Looks like water, but it is ice....

Woodland Park....

Lighthouse half buried...

 

On the last two snowshoes we have found these depressions dug out of the snow.  This one was clearly dug by deer looking most likely to get out of the wind.