Snowshoes are mandatory to much work just getting there without them, lot of work with them. We hike in from the trail head after a 2hr. 4x4 road. We go in May otherwise the snow is to deep I know you think May is to late to get on the ice but that's when it's on!! Lake sits at 10,800 ft. Ice is solid first thing in the mouning but in the afternoon I often walk back thru the snow along the shore to get back to camp, pretty scary when the ice is rolling in front of you when walking on it. It is anywhere from 3-5 ft. thick but there are layers of slush in between the layers of good ice. But being on the FATBOY side of the scale now (sucks getting old) and I don't have the agility I once possessed It would take the right winter for me to attempt that again, but never say never. I fished it 2yrs. ago open water and didn't see a fish but only was there for about 2hrs. there still there I once caught a 4lb. brook a 41/2 lb. cutt. and a 4lb. rainbow all in the same day open water in late june. Here is another one Rich got that trip thru the ice. A better shot. BTK
