I've done this before. We had a group of 10 and half got scared and turned back while the rest us us pushed on. It is a little un-nerving the first time to say the least. We had patches of standing water on top of the ice that were kind of scary.
Really? I KNOW of people who have gone through the ice on the ice bridge - they lost snowmobiles (got 'em back in the summer), but they were LUCKY they got out. Everyone who lives in this area knows that it's dangerous to go off the ice bridge - stay on the path that others have determined is ice thick enough to support snowmobiles. If you want to go off the path, that's okay, but please don't encourage others - especially visitors - to do it.
@MrCMFields I am a third generation Mackinac islander and have crossed the ice for forty years. If you would take the time to read all of the posts for this video would clearly see that I do not encourage anyone to cross the ice.
If you look at the video more closely you will see that there is a big crack in the ice with open water, that is what I went around. Have a nice day.
@mac801 I didn't see the open water, so I'm glad you pointed that out. I was just concerned that people who were not familiar with the ice bridge would think they could go off the trail, but as you say, you've pointed out it can be dangerous although not much choice if you live on the island and need to get off it for supplies, etc.
Why did you go off the ice bridge?? That's dangerous. Hope anyone who decides to come to Mackinac and go across the ice bridge realizes that you DON'T go off the ice bridge or you could go through and die. I know of many people who have gone through and lost their snowmobiles - none died, but they got lucky. I remember when George Wellington Jr. went through - he was so close to the shoreline in St. Ignace - really a heartbreaker that he was so close but died from the cold.
We went to the island Memorial day weekend....just awesome. I would not have the guts to ride a snowmobile on the lake though. Is that how people go to buy groceries or kids go to school in winter?-- Mike the cityslicker from Chicago
on feb-22-09 a snowmobiler was crossing the ice. he got disoriented because of blowing snow. fell through the ice,got out of the water and died of hypothermia while walking.
His name was George Wellington Jr. and he was a good friend of mine and a brother on the Mackinac Island fire department. George was a good guy and he will be missed by everyone that had the pleasure of meeting him.
OMG! You are one brave soul! :D It looks like it would be fun but I would NEVER even try it! There were parts where the ice looked thin...I guess it was probably frozen solid though right? Thanks SO MUCH for posting! You should get a medal for your bravery! :D
Yes the Ice Bridge is marked by experienced people from Mackinac Island. Travel at your own risk. The ice can change in a matter of minutes there are allot of contributing factors to this, wind, temperature, barometric pressure and the amount of traffic.
@mac801 Why did you go off the ice bridge?? That's dangerous. Hope anyone who decides to come to Mackinac and go across the ice bridge realizes that you DON'T go off the ice bridge or you could go through and die. I know of many people who have gone through and lost their snowmobiles - none died, but they got lucky. I remember when George Wellington Jr. went through - he was so close to the shoreline in St. Ignace - really a heartbreaker that he was so close but died from the cold.
Yes they are old Christmas trees from the residents of Mackinac Island. The trail is marked where the ice is "safe." (Never travel the ice if you do not know what you are doing.) When the wind is blowing hard you get what is called a ground blizzard, were the sky above your head is shining bright and blue and on the ice you can not see from tree to tree. Look for more ice videos this winter if the weather cooperates.
its safe as long its not in the summer ;D
awesomedavis101 1 week ago
Ok i live on mackinac island and crossing the ice bridge isnt bad nor that dangerous and yes you can go off the path alot of people do!
Graceski1 1 month ago
naa crossing the ice bridge is easy and i dont know why people thinks its scary.
MegaOOHyeah 1 month ago
Scary as hell but it's the way to do it.
Draherin 10 months ago
I've done this before. We had a group of 10 and half got scared and turned back while the rest us us pushed on. It is a little un-nerving the first time to say the least. We had patches of standing water on top of the ice that were kind of scary.
justadbeer 11 months ago
Really? I KNOW of people who have gone through the ice on the ice bridge - they lost snowmobiles (got 'em back in the summer), but they were LUCKY they got out. Everyone who lives in this area knows that it's dangerous to go off the ice bridge - stay on the path that others have determined is ice thick enough to support snowmobiles. If you want to go off the path, that's okay, but please don't encourage others - especially visitors - to do it.
MrCMFields 1 year ago
@MrCMFields I am a third generation Mackinac islander and have crossed the ice for forty years. If you would take the time to read all of the posts for this video would clearly see that I do not encourage anyone to cross the ice.
If you look at the video more closely you will see that there is a big crack in the ice with open water, that is what I went around. Have a nice day.
mac801 1 year ago
@mac801 I didn't see the open water, so I'm glad you pointed that out. I was just concerned that people who were not familiar with the ice bridge would think they could go off the trail, but as you say, you've pointed out it can be dangerous although not much choice if you live on the island and need to get off it for supplies, etc.
MrCMFields 1 year ago
Why did you go off the ice bridge?? That's dangerous. Hope anyone who decides to come to Mackinac and go across the ice bridge realizes that you DON'T go off the ice bridge or you could go through and die. I know of many people who have gone through and lost their snowmobiles - none died, but they got lucky. I remember when George Wellington Jr. went through - he was so close to the shoreline in St. Ignace - really a heartbreaker that he was so close but died from the cold.
MrCMFields 1 year ago
@MrCMFields No disrespect intended, but you have no idea of what you are talking about.
mac801 1 year ago
I hated doing this, but it beats flying.
islandcaptain 1 year ago
@islandcaptain Your dad and I used to discuss glide ratios on those puddle jumpers.
mac801 1 year ago
Awesome video man!! How many miles from st.ignace to the island? I wanna do that!
coolshariq 2 years ago
@coolshariq Its about 3 1/2 Mi it comes in right at British Landing. My family lives there.
lordsidos 1 year ago
We went to the island Memorial day weekend....just awesome. I would not have the guts to ride a snowmobile on the lake though. Is that how people go to buy groceries or kids go to school in winter?-- Mike the cityslicker from Chicago
apotnis98 2 years ago
@apotnis98 they buy groceries from Doud's Market(the one on main street) or in St. Ignace. Yes there is a school there, with not many students.
mackinacislandexpert 1 year ago
Fun but scarey!
hagirl62 2 years ago
I am so excited. We just move to the island about a month ago and we intend on spending 2 to 3 winters here. Great video.
zaveaireh 2 years ago
on feb-22-09 a snowmobiler was crossing the ice. he got disoriented because of blowing snow. fell through the ice,got out of the water and died of hypothermia while walking.
carminefast77 3 years ago
His name was George Wellington Jr. and he was a good friend of mine and a brother on the Mackinac Island fire department. George was a good guy and he will be missed by everyone that had the pleasure of meeting him.
mac801 3 years ago
OMG! You are one brave soul! :D It looks like it would be fun but I would NEVER even try it! There were parts where the ice looked thin...I guess it was probably frozen solid though right? Thanks SO MUCH for posting! You should get a medal for your bravery! :D
JMC01644 3 years ago
Whoa......
OK, this video petrified me. My palms are sweating. I nearly lost it when you went off the path.
Questions: Is the path "cut in" by someone in particular (e.g. an "experienced trailblazer")?
Does the path stay relatively stable or does it move and develop over the winter and changes?
The part where the ice has broken up close to the Island's shore was phenomenal.
We just visited the island three weeks ago and were blown away!
WitchOvAgnesi 3 years ago
Yes the Ice Bridge is marked by experienced people from Mackinac Island. Travel at your own risk. The ice can change in a matter of minutes there are allot of contributing factors to this, wind, temperature, barometric pressure and the amount of traffic.
mac801 3 years ago
@mac801 Why did you go off the ice bridge?? That's dangerous. Hope anyone who decides to come to Mackinac and go across the ice bridge realizes that you DON'T go off the ice bridge or you could go through and die. I know of many people who have gone through and lost their snowmobiles - none died, but they got lucky. I remember when George Wellington Jr. went through - he was so close to the shoreline in St. Ignace - really a heartbreaker that he was so close but died from the cold.
MrCMFields 1 year ago
AWESOME VIDEO! You have some major cajones!
selim423 3 years ago
Not really it's just part of life. Old ladies, kids, dogs everyone does it. Glad you enjoyed it.
mac801 3 years ago
what's up with the trees? Do they use them for markers?
piperflyer1 3 years ago
Yes they are old Christmas trees from the residents of Mackinac Island. The trail is marked where the ice is "safe." (Never travel the ice if you do not know what you are doing.) When the wind is blowing hard you get what is called a ground blizzard, were the sky above your head is shining bright and blue and on the ice you can not see from tree to tree. Look for more ice videos this winter if the weather cooperates.
mac801 3 years ago
that's cool...but I think I'll just stick to flying up there in the summer=) Too cold for me. Thanks for responding!!
piperflyer1 3 years ago
Yah
Allielovessummer 3 years ago
I would LOVE to do this sometime!
regularjoe99 3 years ago
cool
sacketts4 3 years ago
Thank You
Nice to see it is possible to cross
Snack3828 4 years ago