01-11-2012, 02:08 AM
Split off from the previous thread to keep information a little more focused. Went down to Hobbs this afternoon around 3:30 to check it out and see how it is. Didn't bring my poles or any gear, this was just a sneak and peek.
Pulled into Layton Christian Academy and drove around the backside of the auditorium and parked in the lower parking of their football field. This is the only 'general' parking I could find in the area, otherwise you're going to be parking your car in front of someone's house. Speaking of houses, VERY affluent neighborhood surrounding Hobbs. I made the mistake of following the first trail head I found and ended up bushwhacking down a 30 degree grade of snow and ice for about 50'. Gnarly. Definitely not the way to go! Got down to the trail and there is a chain link fence running all along the perimeter of the trail separating it from Hobbs. Started heading south and found a few breaks in the fence, but by this time I had my fill of bushwhacking. Continued on down some more and found where they want you to enter on the levee side of the water. Only saw one set of human tracks (lots of deer!) going down to the water. I only went out about 20m on the water but ice seemed to be pretty solid (I weigh 250lbs and didn't hear any cracking or whatnot). Ice was very dark and not to slick. I didn't see any holes punched and didn't have an auger so that was far enough out for me.
Leaving out I followed the asphalt from the levee access and you literally walk in between two people's homes to the residential street. I received quite a stare from an old lady with a beehive hairdo as I walked 3' from her living room window [shocked].
I think I might sink a few holes in the ice next week and see what happens. I don't know the regs, but if they allow it would be pretty easy to launch a toon or a small canoe/raft from the levee side of the water; if you're willing to carry it that is. It's easily 1/2 mile from levee access to the parking lot.
On a side note, those of you interested in visiting this winter. Be somewhat in shape. Pretty decent elevation gain from water to parking lot in not too great of a distance. With the snow and ice it becomes quite a breather. Need to get my nephew up here with his young legs to drag the sled! Posting some pictures, nothing great but gives an idea. Will update the thread later as I get any other information.
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Pulled into Layton Christian Academy and drove around the backside of the auditorium and parked in the lower parking of their football field. This is the only 'general' parking I could find in the area, otherwise you're going to be parking your car in front of someone's house. Speaking of houses, VERY affluent neighborhood surrounding Hobbs. I made the mistake of following the first trail head I found and ended up bushwhacking down a 30 degree grade of snow and ice for about 50'. Gnarly. Definitely not the way to go! Got down to the trail and there is a chain link fence running all along the perimeter of the trail separating it from Hobbs. Started heading south and found a few breaks in the fence, but by this time I had my fill of bushwhacking. Continued on down some more and found where they want you to enter on the levee side of the water. Only saw one set of human tracks (lots of deer!) going down to the water. I only went out about 20m on the water but ice seemed to be pretty solid (I weigh 250lbs and didn't hear any cracking or whatnot). Ice was very dark and not to slick. I didn't see any holes punched and didn't have an auger so that was far enough out for me.
Leaving out I followed the asphalt from the levee access and you literally walk in between two people's homes to the residential street. I received quite a stare from an old lady with a beehive hairdo as I walked 3' from her living room window [shocked].
I think I might sink a few holes in the ice next week and see what happens. I don't know the regs, but if they allow it would be pretty easy to launch a toon or a small canoe/raft from the levee side of the water; if you're willing to carry it that is. It's easily 1/2 mile from levee access to the parking lot.
On a side note, those of you interested in visiting this winter. Be somewhat in shape. Pretty decent elevation gain from water to parking lot in not too great of a distance. With the snow and ice it becomes quite a breather. Need to get my nephew up here with his young legs to drag the sled! Posting some pictures, nothing great but gives an idea. Will update the thread later as I get any other information.
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