5 inches of new snow over the past couple days had done us a bunch of good!
After my snow removal chores were complete, I took to the trail. So I headed out of Town on C8.
The plan was to see if I could have a half-way decent ride out to Deer Valley. It appeared as through the Town had groomed this on Tuesday so it was in pretty good shape for the most part.
However, there were several small water spots and one particularly large offender enroute to Deer Valley:
Pressing on to Moose River Plains
If I could make it to Deer Valley and still have my sled respect me, my rule-of-thumb says that I can go all the way out to Cedar River Headquarters.
So that’s what I did and had a pretty good ride all the way out. Fewer water spots the further out I got and the wide parts of the trail were really fun.
As you can see, I made it out to Cedar River Headquarters:
After posing at HQ, I decided to rip S88 over to Cedar River Road which was its usual good time. Then I doubled back to town.
Onto S84
When I got back to town, I wanted to give S84 out to Blue Mountain Lake a try. Looks like the groomers had hit that trail before the new snow as well.
There were several wet, spongy and muddy spots before I got over the top, but I could easily bowl over most of them.
I encountered a few sharp and deep water bars caused by moving water before I got to Rock Lake Marsh. But a lot of the riding in between the water hazards looked like postcard riding:
It was getting a bit late in the day, so I didn’t feel like pressing all the way toward Blue Mountain Lake or the Newcomb trail. But that could be another recon mission for another time prior to the weekend.
Victory Lap
Once I got back to Town, I ripped off my usual victory lap. S87/42nd and Broadway was a nice, plush run. Then I griped-it and ripped-it across Adirondack Lake for a cheap thrill.
S86/Little Canada was amazing from Sawmill Road up to former Lone Birch Motel. The stretch back over to Route 30 One Stop was pretty good.
S85/Ski Hut Trail was a good ride, aside from some mud spots. Then S86/C8 down through Bear Trap Swamp was good aside from some slushy spots.
For kicks, I mounted the phone to the handlebars and ripped the Victory Lap again via S86, Sawmill Road, Adirondack Lake, S87, C8 and S86 over to Route 30 One Stop. I even caught a few riders enjoying the evening. Just a good ole’ fashioned country night ride around the village. 🙂
Caution: You might become jealous!
C8/Sabael Trail
I scooted over Pashley Road and found that C8/Sabael Trail was still closed:
This means there is no snowmobile connection between Indian Lake and Speculator!
I did hear from a good source that C8/Sabael trail is close to being re-opened, pending some legal-ese. Don’t have an exact time-line, so I can’t speculate on whether the trail would be open by the weekend.
Keep your fingers crossed!
Lakes?
People are starting to ride the local lakes with some regularity. But that does NOT warranty “safe ice” for you.
I can’t tell you whether the ice will be safe. If your gut feeling says “STAY OFF” then listen to it.
Bottom line
I don’t want to say I was surprised by how good the riding was. But this 65 mile spin was as good as I could hope for.
The sharp cold spell for the end of the week should help freeze over some of the water hazards. As the groomers make their rounds, they should drag enough snow to comb over some of the hazards as well.
We’re setting up for the first honest-to-goodness “riding weekend” in Indian Lake where enjoyable riding isn’t limited to Moose River Plains or Perkins Clearing.
Don’t ask me “when will the polar vortex arrive” or whether the cold “will lock until April.” Just get off the couch and make your plans for ilsnow land this weekend. Use your head and you’ll have a good time.
We’ve been waiting for this. 😉
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.
