Lake Fully Frozen

The lake froze over completely the night of December 8th, due to the severe sub zero temps of last week. Ice depths vary due to currents and natural springs. These photos were taken yesterday. Montana winter weather varies hugely and there has been rain the last couple of days creating eery pools of water atop the ice out towards the middle of the lake. Already have seen skaters and ice fisherman on Holland but thus far, no animal crossings. The third shot shows the view looking west past the point area and lodge towards the Missions. During the first half of the 1900s, ice from the lake was cut and collected in blocks for the whole Swan Valley to be used throughout the year.