Beautiful day around the Basin yesterday, and the Mayor made a run over to Truckee. It was about 54 degrees at noon on West River St. Not bad for the middle of winter. While in the vicinity, I wanted to get a close up look of Donner Lake, so I drove over to West End Beach, off Donner Pass Rd.(opposite end from Donner Party monument). Sure enough, ICE!
Now, it did not appear thick across the lake, but it did appear to have some tracks of "skates" across the surface. Recently, in the Sierra Sun paper, local public safety officers urged caution near or about the iced surface. No doubt, wise counsel. Lack of wind, very cold temperatures, short days, and long shadows all contribute to local conditions conducive to the formation of lake surface ice.
Shortly after leaving the lake shore, I drove to the vista point overlook on I 80. From there one can see most of the lake and the various thickness differentials quite easily. It almost looks like a checker board of ice blocks, end-to-end. Perhaps conditions will persist, perhaps not: depends on the weather.
In the meantime, maybe visitors who have ice dreams should tie off with a nice long, stout rope prior to venturing forth on Donner Lake.
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