The LaPlatte is frozen over, but not solid; not needing a swimming lesson, we chose to a different walk. From the public parking lot (at the boat launch) on Bay Road at Shelburne Bay, we shoed in several inches of new snow south, up the LaPlatte River Natural Area hiking trail as it followed McCabe Stream (which drains into the LaPlatte River then Shelburne Bay.)

This winding trail is short but pretty as it hugs the stream and passes through a hemlock stand. Returning and crossing Bay Road, we walked north, following the Shelburne Bay Recreation Trail up Allen Hill for views of the bay which is just starting to freeze. We followed the Allen Hill Trail around the hill, and picked up the Clark trail back south to the Bay parking lot. Great new snow and a nice 15 degrees!

Participants Ted Albers and Lynda Hutchins.