Ice Lakes
- Ice fishing rods are usually short (18-24 inches long) and vary in stiffness depending on the type of fish you are pursuing. Some anglers build their own ice fishing rod from broken rods. Tip-ups are popular along the upper Mississippi River and on the Iowa Great Lakes to catch northern pike and walleye.
- The definition of lake ice in can vary from lake to lake. For the citizen observers reporting data, ice in occurs when the entire lake is frozen over for the first time and the ice cover remains through winter. Observers do not report ice thickness.
- All reviews lower basin ice lakes beautiful hike entire hike trekking poles worth every step moderate hike popular hike experienced hikers bring plenty of water elevation gain wild flowers worth the effort switch backs rain gear creek shape miles snow oxygen colorado scenery. Terry Bradshaw wrote a.
Ice fishing is the practice of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water.Ice fishers may fish in the open or in heated enclosures, some with bunks and amenities. Outdoor & Fishing Minnesota. Ice Fishing Minnesota 14.3k Equipment-Expert Information - MN 138.7k Fishing Minnesota - (Spring, Summer & Fall) 117.2k FREE LISTING-FOR SALE!
- Ice in lakes
- Ice formation
- Ice growth
- Ice decay
- Geographic distribution
- Ice in rivers
- Formation and growth
- Ice modification
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Join Britannica's Publishing Partner Program and our community of experts to gain a global audience for your work! George D. AshtonIce in lakes and rivers, a sheet or stretch of ice forming on the surface of lakes and rivers when the temperature drops below freezing (0° C [32° F]). The nature of the ice formations may be as simple as a floating layer that gradually thickens, or it may be extremely complex, particularly when the water is fast-flowing.
Geographic extent
Much of the world experiences weather well below the freezing point, and in these regions ice forms annually in lakes and rivers. About half the surface waters of the Northern Hemisphere freeze annually. In warmer climates, waters may freeze only occasionally during periods of unusual cold, and in extremely cold areas of the world, such as Antarctica, lakes may have a permanent ice cover.
The seasonal cycle
In most regions where ice occurs, the formation is seasonal in nature: an initial ice cover forms some time after the average daily air temperature falls below the freezing point; the ice cover thickens through the winter period; and the ice melts and decays as temperatures warm in the spring. During the formation and thickening periods, energy flows out of the ice cover, and, during the decay period, energy flows into the ice cover. This flow of energy consists of two basic modes of energy exchange: (1) the radiation of long-wavelength and short-wavelength electromagnetic energy (i.e., infrared and ultraviolet light) and (2) the transfer of heat energy associated with evaporation and condensation, with convection between the air and the surface, and (to a lesser extent) with precipitation falling on the surface. While radiation transfers are important, the dominant energy exchange in ice formation and decay is the heat transfer associated with evaporation and condensation and with turbulent convection—the latter being termed the sensible transfer. Since these transfers of heat are driven by the difference between air temperature and surface temperature, the extent and duration of ice covers more or less coincide with the extent and duration of average air temperatures below the freezing point (with a lag in the autumn due to the cooling of the water from its summer heating and a lag in the spring due to the melting of ice formed over the winter).
As a general rule, small lakes freeze over earlier than rivers, and ice persists longer on lakes in the spring. Where there are sources of warm water—for example, in underground springs or in the thermal discharges of industrial power plants—this pattern may be disrupted, and water may be free of ice throughout the winter. In addition, in very deep lakes the thermal reserve built up during summer heating may be too large to allow cooling to the freezing point, or the action of wind over large fetches may prevent a stable ice cover from forming.
Ice in lakes
Ice formation
Changes in temperature structure
The setting for the development of ice cover in lakes is the annual evolution of the temperature structure of lake water. In most lakes during the summer, a layer of warm water of lower density lies above colder water below. In late summer, as air temperatures fall, this top layer begins to cool. After it has cooled and has reached the same density as the water below, the water column becomes isothermal (i.e., there is a uniform temperature at all depths). With further cooling, the top water becomes even denser and plunges, mixing with the water below, so that the lake continues to be isothermal but at ever colder temperatures. This process continues until the temperature drops to that of the maximum density of water (about 4° C, or 39° F). Further cooling then results in expansion of the space between water molecules, so that the water becomes less dense. This change in density tends to create a new stratified thermal structure, this time with colder, lighter water on top of the warmer, denser water. If there is no mixing of the water by wind or currents, this top layer will cool to the freezing point (0° C, or 32° F). Once it is at the freezing point, further cooling will result in ice formation at the surface. This layer of ice will effectively block the exchange of energy between the cold air above and the warm water below; therefore, cooling will continue at the surface, but, instead of dropping the temperature of the water below, the heat losses will be manifested in the production of ice.
The simple logic outlined above suggests that water at some depth in lakes during the winter will always be at 4° C, the temperature of maximum density, and indeed this is often the case in smaller lakes that are protected from the wind. The more usual scenario, however, is that wind mixing continues as the water column cools below 4° C, thereby overcoming the tendency toward density stratification. Between 4° and 0° C, for example, the density difference might be only 0.13 kilogram per cubic metre (3.5 ounces per cubic yard). Eventually some particular combination of cold air temperature, radiation loss, and low wind allows a first ice cover to form and thicken sufficiently to withstand wind forces that may break it up. As a result, even in fairly deep lakes the water temperature beneath the ice is usually somewhere below 4° C and quite often closer to 0° C. The temperature at initial ice formation may vary from year to year depending on how much cooling has occurred before conditions are right for the first initial cover to form and stabilize. In some large lakes, such as Lake Erie in North America, wind effects are so great that a stable ice cover rarely forms over the entire lake, and the water is very near 0° C throughout the winter.
Nucleation of ice crystals
Ice Lakes Wa
Before ice can form, water must supercool and ice crystals nucleate. Homogeneous nucleation (without the influence of foreign particles) occurs well below the freezing point, at temperatures that are not observed in water bodies. The temperature of heterogeneous nucleation (nucleation beginning at the surface of foreign particles) depends on the nature of the particles, but it is generally several degrees below the freezing point. Again, supercooling of this magnitude is not observed in most naturally occurring waters, although some researchers argue that a thin surface layer of water may achieve such supercooling under high rates of heat loss. Nucleation beginning on an ice particle, however, can take place upon only slight supercooling, and it is generally believed that ice particles originating from above the water surface are responsible for the initial onset of ice on the surface of a lake. Once ice is present, further formation is governed by the rate at which the crystal can grow. This can be very fast: on a cold, still night, when lake water has been cooled to its freezing point and then slightly supercooled on the surface, it is possible to see ice crystals propagating rapidly across the surface. Typically, this form of initial ice formation is such that the crystal c-axes are vertically oriented—in contrast to the usual horizontal orientation of the c-axis associated with later thickening. Under ideal conditions these first crystals may have dimensions of one metre or more. An ice cover composed of such crystals will appear black and very transparent.
Effects of wind mixing
If the lake surface is exposed to wind, the initial ice crystals at the surface will be mixed by the agitating effects of wind on the water near the surface, and a layer of small crystals will be created. This layer will act to reduce the mixing, and a first ice cover will be formed consisting of many small crystals. Whether it is composed of large or small crystals, the ice cover, until it grows thick enough to withstand the effects of later winds, may form and dissipate and re-form repeatedly. On larger lakes where the wind prevents a stable ice cover from initially forming, large floes may be formed, and the ice cover may ultimately stabilize as these floes freeze together, sometimes forming large ridges and piles of ice. Ice ridges generally have an underwater draft several times their height above water. If they are moved about by the wind, they may scour the bottom in shallower regions. In some cases—particularly before a stable ice cover forms—wind mixing may be sufficient to entrain ice particles and supercooled water to considerable depths. Water intakes tens of metres deep have been blocked by ice during such events.
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Trail Features: | Outstanding Views, Lakes,Wildflowers | |
Trail Location: | South Mineral Campground (near Silverton) | |
Roundtrip Length: | 7.4 Miles | |
TrailheadElevation: | 9845 Feet | |
Total Elevation Gain: | 2430 Feet | |
Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: | 657 Feet | |
Highest Elevation: | 12,274 Feet | |
Trail Difficulty Rating: | 12.26 (strenuous) | |
Parking Lot Latitude | 37.80672 | |
Parking Lot Longitude | -107.77396 |
Trail Description:
The hike to Ice Lakes begins from the South Mineral Campground in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton, Colorado. To reach the trailhead from the intersection of Highway 550 and the turnoff to Silverton (Highway 110), drive 2 miles north on Highway 550 to County Road 7, located between mile markers 72 and 73. Turn left on County Road 7 (signed for the South Mineral Campground) and follow the gravel road for 4.4 miles to the trailhead parking area on the right side of the road, just across from the South Mineral Campground. This road is suitable for two-wheel drive vehicles, though there are a few potholes you'll have to negotiate over.
Hikers should note that parking for Ice Lakes is very limited, so you should plan to arrive early to secure a parking spot. If there are no parking spots available, the national forest asks that you not park in the meadows, along the road, or in the campground across the road. Instead, they ask that you wait for a spot to open, or choose to hike another trail in the Silverton Area, such as Highland Mary Lakes or Columbine Lake. Hikers should note that citations have been issued for illegal parking. These citations are expensive. You should also note that the restroom near the parking lot is for paying campground guests only.
Ice Lakes presumably receives it name as a result of it freezing over during the winter; however, it could just as well be from the ice-blue color of the water itself when the sun shines on it. I've never seen a lake with this brilliant of blue color before – it's quite amazing to see in person. Combine this with outstanding mountain scenery and several thousand wildflowers and you have one of the best hikes found just about anywhere.
The hike begins from the head of the South Mineral Valley where you'll enjoy brief views of the mountains towards the west. Almost immediately, however, the trail enters the canopy of a thick conifer forest, and soon begins climbing a series of short switchbacks along a moderate grade.
After roughly four-tenths of a mile the trail begins passing through a series of small wildflower-filled meadows, and at roughly one-half mile you'll cross Clear Creek on a rickety log footbridge. If you lookupstream from the bridge you'll see a nice waterfall flowing off the cliff above.
At just over nine-tenths of a mile hikers will reach a short spur trail on the right that leads to a close-up view of that same waterfall. Roughly a quarter-of-a-mile past the waterfall you'll reach anothershort side trail, on your left, which leads to the remnants of an old mining operation.
After passing the mine the trail rises sharply and begins climbing strenuously towards the Lower Ice Lake Basin. Soon the trail emerges from the cover of the forest. From this point forward you'll be exposedto the sun, wind and the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms.
At roughly 2.2 miles, and an elevation of 11,400 feet, hikers will reach the Lower Ice Lake Basin area. Over the course of the next two-thirds of a mile or so the route travels over relatively flat terrain. Anime world crack. After the winter snows melt the meadows in this basin bloom with a riot of wildflowers, and include varieties such as blue columbines, larkspur, chiming bells and aspen daisies.
At almost 2.5 miles hikers will pass Lower Ice Lake. The trail doesn't actually visit the lake, but you'll have a nice view of it lying amongst the trees roughly two hundred yards off to your left.
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As you proceed deeper into the basin the landscape becomes progressively more scenic. Even during our late-August hike there were still quite a few wildflowers left. You'll also notice a couple of waterfalls streaming down the cliffs of the surrounding mountains.
At 2.9 miles hikers will cross a stream without the benefit of a footbridge. Although we didn't have any problems during our hike, you might get your feet soaked when water levels are higher. One of theinteresting aspects about this small brook is that the rocks in the streambed are all chalk-white. We speculated that it might be the result of limestone leaching out from inside the mountain.
After crossing the stream the trail begins climbing steeply once again, gaining more than 660 feet over the next six-tenths of a mile or so. As you ascend along this stretch of trail the views of the lowerbasin and the surrounding mountains are simply outstanding.
At roughly 3.5 miles you'll finally reach the upper basin. A little further up the trail, at roughly 3.65 miles, you'll arrive at the faint side trail that leads towards Ice Lake. During our late-August hike the alpine wildflowers in the upper basin tundra were out of this world. We have never seen so many wildflowers in one place. There were literally thousands of them as far as the eye could see. During the short growing season you may see a wide range of varieties, including alpine forget-me-nots, moss campion, sky pilot, fairy primrose, purple fringe, columbine, chiming bells, neon pink paint brush and spring beauties. The typical growing season for this area is from late July through August.
Just beyond the junction hikers will reach the eastern shore of Ice Lake. When the sun shined on the water it was the most intense cobalt blue I've ever seen in nature. The overall scenery was absolutely stunning, and might be one of the best hikes I've ever taken. No wonder this is such an extremely popular hike! This extraordinary alpine lake is surrounded by several 13ers, including 13,761-foot Fuller Peak, 13,894-foot Vermillion Peak, 13,780-foot Golden Horn, 13,738-foot Pilot Knob and 13,767-foot U.S. Grant Peak, looking from left to right.
If you have the time and energy you'll have the option of exploring more of the upper basin area before returning to the trailhead. Look for side trails that lead to Island Lake, located northeast of IceLake, and Fuller Lake, located south of Ice Lake.
Hikers should always be aware of lightning risk while hiking in the Rocky Mountains, especially at the higher elevations. As a general rule of thumb you should plan to be off the highest point on your hike before noon in order to avoid the notorious afternoon thunderstorms that frequent the mountains during the summer months. Hikers should also be prepared for extreme sun exposure, high winds, cool temperatures, and rapidly changing weather conditions while on the trail. Make sure you have the proper gear with you, and know what safety precautions you need to consider beforehand.