Tonka - better than expected.

[Tom L]

I was driving on CoRd 15 and saw someone kiting so I figured I better get out there. It was better than expected. There is slush, crusted over slush, and some areas of snow. If it gets too cold it will be a lttle crispy, but for now it's fairly good. You just need to ride around until you find the conditions you like. Crescent Beach has some fairly large areas of snow a fair ways off shore. Good speed runs on the icy stuff. Switchblades would be nice.

[BSMITH]

Hey Tom,
Do you know of any good launches on the south side. I'm working for the City of Minnetonka now so...

[Tom L]

Brian,

Here is a little map I cooked up on Google. It's got 14 locations for launching on Tonka. Some are better than others, and my own knowledge is better on some than others. If you have questions about a specific one, post me. There are are a few more, but this covers the major ones.

http://www.loweprofile.com/misc/tonkamap1.html

I think your best bet is Crescent, Wakota, The Commons area Excelsior. These 3 are within 5 minutes of Hiwy 7. There might be something on the East side of Wayzata Bay, along Hiwy 101, where fisherman access the lake. If you ever go to Crescent, post here, and I'll meet you.

P.S. Google has CoRd 19 mislabeled as 18.

[ice_kmauve]

To add one more spot to the Google map below, there is a small place to park right on Smith Bay. I launched there last monday and it worked fine.

[Tom L]

To add one more spot to the Google map below, there is a small place to park right on Smith Bay. I launched there last monday and it worked fine.

Do you mean Smithtown Bay? I'll add it if you tell me where it is.

[Chris B]

I found the same conditions at Calhoun last night. The slush was just starting to get thick; much better than expected. When it completely freezes it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

[BSMITH]

Thanks Tom. Now all I have to do is find some time!

[ice_kmauve]

Smith Bay. It is just north of Minnetonka Beach, Crystal Bay is to the west, Browns Bay is to the east. There is a small parking spot on Shoreline drive on Smith Bay that a kiter can use to access. Smith Bay is nice because it lets you onto the big open area of Minnetonka. BTW, surface conditions were great as of 12/2/06.

[Tom L]

Yep, sorry, your right. You must be accessing north of Arcola bridge somewhere. Are you accessing near Sailors World or Windward marine?

[AndyF]

Had a fantastic lake minnetonka session yesterday afternoon and night with Professor, Kernel, CornBoy (King of Poach) and Poachahantas.

Cornboy and I stayed out until 10:30 and had a blast.

The condition were extremely fast with all the slush refreezing making for a fast bumpy ride.

Great first session of the year!!!!!

We set up in Cottagewood on Park Ave down from the Cottagewood store great place to access the lake across from big island. This is were everybody sets up there ice boats when we don't have snow.

Poachahantas

[Tom L]

Brian ,

Sounds like a good access for you. I'll put it on that map.

[BSMITH]

Thanks again Tom. The only action I got on Tonka today was installing timers on the pumps for the docks at Grays bay.

[Tom L]

Are those some sort of explosive devices you are setting up. I liked it better before the DNR took it over, anyways.