The first weekend of our 2018-19 Snowmobiling Season is almost here! And we got some new snow to freshen things up, about a couple of inches here in Indian Lake. Probably at least several inches out in Moose River Plains. At the moment, snow pack is 8-16 inches throughout the central Adirondacks, with the snow bowls holding about a foot-and-a-half or more.
If you are thinking of coming up here to ride this weekend, make sure you have REASONABLE expectations. Getting 3 feet of snowfall in November doesn’t mean that we’re into mid-winter magic by any stretch, since the ground did not freeze before we got all of this snow!
All of the village trails and deep woods trails (outside of seasonal roads) around Indian Lake and Speculator are at your own risk riding. Locals are riding their snowmobiles and digging into underlying mud. This will actually aid the eventual process of freezing the swampy areas. But for now, I can guarantee a tedious, bumpy, and in some places, a muddy ride.
Moose River Plains
The best early season playbook is to park at the Browns Farm at the end of Cedar River Road, pay your $5 per sled and ride into Moose River Plains. I know that people have been riding through Moose River Plains to the Ole Barn and beyond.
I haven’t ridden it myself yet, so no first hand review from me. But you’ll likely encounter early season issues like thin base, icy spots and scratchy areas…especially once the weekend traffic really starts to pound on it.
Again, if you have REASONABLE expectations and any snowmobile riding would do the trick, it could be a good ride for you. But if you’re expecting mid-season magic, you may come away disappointed.
UPDATE 12/7 PM: Riders reporting good conditions through Moose River Plains but a rough ride with mud holes on Trail C8 from Cedar River Headquarters over to Indian Lake.
While in Inlet this weekend
Here’s notice of the snowmobiling detour around the Snodeo Shootout:
Just to show you they are riding, here’s a video shot from Wednesday morning:
I’m certain that Snodeo weekend traffic will thrash it to pieces. But it’s there if you want it. 😉
Perkins Clearing
Both ends of Perkins Clearing Road were plowed right up to the start of snowmobiling season. But the Lake Pleasant Groomers have since been stationed at the north end of Perkins Clearing Road, presumably meaning that any snow from here-on-out this winter won’t be removed from the trail by the plow.
The south end of Perkins Clearing Road will be plowed for logging for much of this winter. So we’ll need to used the southern bypass trail.
How about Newcomb trail?
Going into the winter, the O’Neil Flow Road (aka Newcomb trail) is being plowed for the first 4 miles off Route 28/30. Tentative plan for this section is shared-use for snowmobiles and logging trucks. That would be a very tight fit and extreme caution would be necessary.
The safest time to be ride would be after dark with reduced truck traffic and you’d be able to see headlights from oncoming vehicles.
It remains to be seen how long the logging would continue. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be for the majority of the winter.
UPDATE 12/7 PM: Got a call from the Newcomb House stating that trails have been groomed from Newcomb House down to the Essex County Line.
Lakes, BEWARE!
There are people ice-fishing on some of the lakes around here, especially the smaller ones that froze over weeks ago. However, I would strongly recommend STAYING OFF THE LAKES for now. The reward is nowhere worth the risk.
One more thing…
I have made a beginner’s guide to snowmobiling ilsnow land that you can get here. It’s about 15 pages and taps into my 30+ years of snowmobiling experience. It also provides a tool box of resources I use to plan my rides.
The guide sells for $9, and there is a 30 day no-questions-asked money back guarantee. If you are new (or relatively new) to snowmobiling the Adirondacks, give it a shot! But if you are a grizzled Adirondack snowmobiling veteran, I’d rather you keep the money in your pocket treat yourself to a nice burger for lunch on the trail.
Have fun this weekend and stay safe!
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
This report is brought to you by Village Motorsports. Besides being a long-time snowmobile accessory & rental place and Yamaha dealer in Speculator NY, they are ilsnow land’s newest Ski Doo Dealership. Go visit today and tell them Darrin @ ilsnow.com sent ya.
