Keith from Piseco Performance had the XP ready and shined up beautifully. On my way home from work, I cut over to Piseco and rode the XP back to the compound.
Spy Lake trail from Piseco Performance to Oxbow Lake was groomed and in halfway decent shape: snirty with some light chop and some spots worn down to dirt. Oxbow Lake was a nice crossing. Fish Mountain trail was pretty much the same story through the woods as Spy Lake, but somewhat smoother. The wide road part to Sacandaga Lake was nice.
Fawn Lake trail was rough and bare in spots coming off the lake. But I’m glad that I stuck with it because after I hit the groomer turnaround, it was a nice ride up to the Outhouse. Snow cover became more “pristine” the further I got into the woods past Fawn Lake. Big Brook trail past the Outhouse was snirty with some soft studderchop. After the big hill, snow conditions got better enroute to Perkins Clearing. I must say it’s nice to be able to ride directly from Piseco to Perkins Clearing without having to divert through Speculator out of fear of breaking my suspension in the middle of nowhere. Town of Lake Pleasant is clearly doing a better job with Fawn Lake/Big Brook this winter. 🙂
I couldn’t pass up S41/Mud Lake Road since I was in the area. So I did what any good and decent snowmobiler would do: RIDE IT! Of course, I was rewarded with superb ride through the Mossy Vly back over to Perkins Clearing Road. There were just a few corners scuffed down to slushy dirt as I approached HM110. Perkins Clearing Road appeared to have been groomed today, but the Friday afternoon traffic did churn up some minor bumps.
2 Miles of Hell was getting studdered up, but wasn’t that terrible. The Lewey Lake end was getting pretty chewed up in places. Lewey Lake was a nice crossing. The campsites were the classic late-winter, cheese-grater, ball-bouncin’, washboard hell that we all know and loathe. That was all stand-up on the runner boards and pray you don’t break something going through.
Indian Lake was nice and smooth, but very spooky for me in light of what happened last weekend. I was very happy to get off that lake before dark. The trail coming off Indian Lake up to Route 30/Swifty’s was mostly bald on the bottom, but I was about to get around most of the “ouch!” Sabael trail going into the village was snirty and somewhat choppy….as were the rest of the heavily traveled inner village trails. Little Canada and 42&Broadway were their usual sweet pieces of heaven. I ran the S84/Blue Mountain trail a short distance. I wouldn’t bother with that trail unless you keep your eye on the prize that is the Newcomb trail.
I got back to the compound after dark and saw a groomer making its evening run around town. So the village trails will probably be very decent by Saturday morning. Compared to last Friday, today was a relative ghost town. But I did see several families out there having fun and that’s what Adirondack snowmobiling should be about.
I didn’t ride C8 out toward Headquarters so I don’t have any first hand or second hand information to pass along in regards to that. You’ll just have to try and see if you like it.
Oops… Gotta pick up my car in Piseco. Looks like I have to ask Mrs ilsnow.com for a ride. 😉
The XP ran great. Wouldn’t even knew I had a brake fire! Keith at Piseco Performance did an awesome job and I highly recommend him. He’s an absolute wizard with Ski-Doo catastrophe cases. Call him at (518) 548-6000.
Weekend Outlook:
We’re at the time of year where the roadsides and southerly exposures are starting to get skanky without constant re-application of “white paint.” Warmer temperatures and heavy traffic will chew up the trails this weekend. If you only have one weekend left, make it this one. We’ll be riding past that, but we may be starting that slide into diehard season barring another infusion of snow.
Remember to keep up on rider reports on the ilsnow.com bulletin board.
If you are riding in the area, stop by the Memorial for Paul Prill where C8/Sabael trail dumps onto Indian Lake on Saturday. We appreciate your support.
Be good, have fun, don’t drink and ride! I want ALL to live for the next ride.
Darrin @ ilsnow.com
