4/13/13 Update: Darrin Jr and I did an ultra die-hard ride Saturday afternoon. There was just enough sleet/slush on the town trails to pick our way through to some good stuff on the back side of Lake Adirondack (where 42nd&Broadway used to go). We were only out for about an hour, but it’s not very often that we can ride around Indian Lake village in mid-April. 😉
It looks like Old Man Winter isn’t quite ready to throw in the towel for good. The inch of snow that fell Thursday afternoon was nice, but that only stuck to what was left of the existing swiss cheese snow pack. The crust of freezing rain early Friday morning wasn’t a surprise. But the inch-and-a-quarter of sleet that accumulated on everything over the course of Friday was a notable surprise. That much sleet doesn’t occur often in the winter, and it’s almost unheard of in mid-April!
This changes the game for the few diehards who want to squeak out yet another “last ride.” Snowpack in the deep-woods, diehard hangouts generally ranges from 6 to 18+ inches and the new snow/sleet/ice mixture will provide some fresh stuff to move around on.
538/Newcomb Trail should be at least marginally ride-able and could still hold a good amount of snow far into the woods, but I’d imagine that the Joseph Mountain section will be very rocky and rough. To reach the Newcomb trail, park where the Northville/Lake Placid trail crosses Route 28/30 near Lake Durant. Then you can work your way back behind the Ranger’s cabin to Lake Durant Campsites, then cross Route 28/30. Continue on the trail for about a mile, then turn left onto 538/Newcomb trail. Most of that is in the shade and holds onto the snow away from the roadsides.
If I had easy access to a truck and trailer, that’s what I would do. I did have a fleeting thought of riding out to the Newcomb trail from the compound, but the inner town trails were beyond shot this week and the days of the S84/Blue Mountain trail being a solid spring ride are long gone with the abuse it now gets all winter. I think it would just be too much pain to reach the prize.
Perkins Clearing Road was essentially bare before yesterday at the north end, so one would have to ride the side margins for a long way in before hitting the prime stuff past Sled Harbor. You could sneak into Perkins Clearing via S82/Old Indian Lake Road if you’re willing to navigate through the skank on the Route 30 end.
Powley Road is another possibility if you know how to reach the snow in there.
As for Moose River Plains: Probably too much pain from Browns Farm parking lot to reach the ride-able stuff. Also, the Cedar River Headquarters gate may be closed for the season.
Weekend Diehard Outlook:
Temperatures will hang in the lower-to-middle 30s Friday night, then rise into the lower-to-middle 40s by Saturday afternoon. Precipitation on Saturday will consist of scattered rain/snow showers. Cloud cover will remain thick most of the time and it’s tougher than you think to melt 1-2 inches of mixed winter “mash.”
Bottom line: If you want it bad enough and know how to find the ride-able snow, you’ll be able to tell your buddies that you rode mid-April. Timing is everything when you’re into ultra-diehard season and Saturday is your open window.
