Update 4/7/18
With a fresh 5 inches of snow down, it’s looking like winter wonderland anew. Technically, trails and roads on State owned and managed lands are closed for snowmobiling now. If you DO decide to ride, be aware you’ll likely encounter large fallen trees from this week’s powerful wind storm.
As per NYS DEC: Effective immediately, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is closing all snowmobile trails and seasonal access roads on Forest Preserve, State Forest, and Conservation Easement Lands in the Adirondacks and the North Country.
The lack of snow is dangerous to snowmobilers and damaging to snowmobiles. Gates across the area will be closed by Monday, April 9, 2018. This includes all gates in DEC Region 5, which covers Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington Counties, and DEC Region 6, which covers St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Herkimer and Oneida Counties.
DEC will reopen the roads once any necessary maintenance is completed and the roads are dry enough to safely handle motor vehicle traffic. Motor vehicle use during the spring mud season will damage roads and result in road opening delays.
Report 4/2/18
For most of us, the snowmobiling season is long done. But for the die-hards and hang-er on-ers, the Adirondacks still hold ride-able snow in places.
Around Indian Lake, the front lawns in town and other exposed areas are mainly bare. In the woods, snow cover ranges from bare/thin areas to upwards of 8-16+ inches.
The traditional snow bowls of southwestern Hamilton County still hold 2 feet or greater of snow pack:
Snowmobile riding options
DEC reported that gates to Perkins Clearing Road have been closed to prevent public motor vehicle use. However, snowmobile use is still permitted at this time. If you park at Mason Lake Parking Lot, you can still work your way into the north end of Perkins Clearing Road by going around the gate.
Speculator Tree Farm probably remains ride-able if you park and ride in from the south end of Old Route 30.
No word from DEC on the gates being closed in Moose River Plains. But I would imagine the road from Brown’s Farm to the trail-head would be snowmobile abuse.
538/Newcomb trail may still be ride-able to those who park at the Northville/Lake Placid trailhead, and worming their way behind the Ranger’s living quarters to Lake Durant Campsites, thence crossing the Route 28/30 highway and continuing about a mile on S84 until hitting the Newcomb trail.
For the private camps/leases that usually hold snow well into April, members can probably ride these.
Inlet/Old Forge permit trails are closed for the season.
Outlook
With the exception of Wednesday, in which temperatures could bust into the 50s for a short time, temperatures will remain well below normal for early April.
Maybe a shot of snow on Friday?
If so, temperatures over the weekend would be cold enough to hold the new snow over areas which still have left-over snow pack from the winter.
Maybe, I can spin off my last few miles of the season. 😉
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
This report is brought to you by Progressive Motorsports, celebrating their 25th year. They live, eat and breathe snowmobiling. Stop in today and see for yourself! Be sure to tell Karen that Darrin @ ilsnow.com sent ya.
