Door County - Cross-Country Ski out to Chamber's Island

Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:58 pm

I'm looking to cross-country ski from Fish Creek out to Chamber's Island, and wouldn't mind others joining in. This is a fairly long trek, about 4.4 miles to the island, and about 3 miles to cross the island to the lighthouse & park areas where three caches are located, so this would be a day of fairly rigorous physical activity. I'll probably bring lunch fixin's along in a backpack to have on the island at the lighthouse.

I would like to do this on a Saturday in late January to mid-February when ice is thickest and temps and weather conditions are forecast to be relatively mild. (15° or higher.) There is a long tradition of people driving snowmobiles and even trucks out to the island, so I'n not too concerned about ice conditions, other than as a base for skiing on.

Of course, if we could get two or three snowmobiles together, that would be quicker...

WGA Member Joined: 2007-11-26 Posts: 3260

DC, We are very interested. Please PM us with details if you don't have our address any more.

Though I will say that we do not XC ski often any more, so aren't the fastest.

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:16 pm

Please let us know details as they develop. We can't say for sure we'd make it, but we'd like to if we can. No snowmobiles to offer, but we've got skis and snowshoes.

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:04 pm

gotta run wrote:

Though I will say that we do not XC ski often any more, so aren't the fastest.

Don't worry, I'm not a dedicated skiier either, so it'll be an easy pace with lots of breaks for water and trail mix. I'll ask my source of island info. if skis or snowshoes are more appropriate for the trip.

WGA Member Joined: 2007-11-26 Posts: 3260

4 miles, I vote for skiis.

WGA Member Joined: 2007-11-26 Posts: 3260

I'm guessing this idea fizzled?

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:00 pm

I've heard weird things about shoals and such which made the trip seem a little risky without having someone along who was familiar with the layout.

However, K0rpl expressed in interest in hiking over to Horseshoe Island (which is located off of Peninsula State Park) but I haven't confirmed with him. It's a much shorter walk. Justin?

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:06 pm

Not sure on the length of the walk. I think I will need to check into that. I wonder how thick the ice is as of now? We had some warm weather, but now it's been colder, and making Ice, so who knows......

Will check on this, and get back to you guys after the weekend.

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:54 pm

we only had the one warming spell, so the ice is still fine, although we should do it in the next two-three weeks. It's only about 1/2 mile from shore to shore...

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:57 pm

Heck, thats a hop skip, and a Jump.. Not bad at all.. This weekend, I am out. Anything after that is fine with me.

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:45 am

K0rpl wrote:

Heck, thats a hop skip, and a Jump.. Not bad at all.. This weekend, I am out. Anything after that is fine with me.

If you skip, hop and jump, that ice might very well start cracking! Shocked

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:38 pm

Marc:

Are you IMPLYING Something??!!!??

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:22 pm

Let's do it this next Saturday? I can notify a few people, and make it an outing...

Let me know...

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 7:13 pm

OK, it sounds like Saturday will be a go for me. Sheboygan Trip will probaly happen on Sunday instead. So I am a go. Anytime will work for me.

WGA Member Joined: 2007-11-26 Posts: 3260

Won't work for us I'm afraid. Scouting activities have begun to take over the schedule.