When I headed out of Indian Lake toward Moose River Plains this morning, I didn’t plan on going back up to Long Lake. But that’s just how it worked out.
Instead of doing a flowery story because today’s trail conditions will become meaningless after the weekend storm, I’ll just bullet point what I did:
Indian Lake Village trails: Good to excellent, especially the outer loop trails like S87/42nd and Broadway and S86/Little Canada, which was freshly groomed perfection:
C8 out to Cedar River Headquarters: Smooth to studder-ripple. Some worn spots in vicinity of Deer Valley and a couple more further out. Final 2 miles to Headquarters was GREAT!
Moose River Plains – Cedar River Headquarters to Big T: Good riding all the way through. Some icy corners. Big-T flats were amazing.
After Big T to Limeklin Road – Thinner with some icy/snirty stretches. The last 2-3 miles miles to Limekiln Road was a chocolate snow carbide scratch-a-thon. Needs more snow BADLY!!
Inlet Loop Trails: Snirty and pebbly in places. Needs more snow BADLY!!
7th Lake: Rough ice in need of more snow cover. Watch out for the usual land mines on the east end (stumps, ice heaves and streams eating away the ice near shore in spots)
8th Lake Campsite: Nice ride though there.
Bug Lake Trail: I had never tried this trail before. Saw the fresh groom tracks and decided to give it a shot. Aside from several spots that needed more snow, it was a nice ride and this bridge was pretty neat:
Uncas Road – Good snow cover.
Browns Tract Road – Awesome ride!!
Raquette Lake Crossing – I didn’t get lost in a dust storm today.
North Point Road – Adequate snow to pass through with occasional shelving along the road.
I can tell you that Long Lake will be down a groomer starting the weekend because I saw one of theirs get pulled out the woods to an awaiting flatbed on North Point Road.
Powerlines trail into Long Lake – Rough and icy in places. Then dumped on to Long Lake at Long View Lodge. I snapped this action shot at Adirondack Hotel:
There was a small, funky crater with open water on Long Lake north of Adirondack Hotel. I didn’t stop to take a picture and I swerved around to give it wide berth. There were some areas of slush on the lake as well.
Tarbell Road – Adequate snow to pass through with occasional shelving along the road.
C7B to Newcomb – 13 miles of bumps but I made it through unharmed. Plowed section for logging has adequate snow to pass through.
538/Newcomb Trail – Not quite as smooth as it was Wednesday, but a good ride and welcome relief from C7B. Plowed section had adequate snow to pass through.
A local NYS Forest Ranger was doing a radar checkpoint to make sure snowmobilers were proceeding at a safe speed through the logging zone. I stopped and had a friendly chat. Remember to proceed slowly and always assume an oncoming truck over the hill crest or around the corner.
S84/Old Stage Trail – Nice romp through the woods. Some gentle roller bumps after the Northville-Lake Placid trail head parking area. Ripped across Lake Durant on the way back.
S84 back to Indian Lake – A nice ride home aside from some scuffed areas, especially a few miles in between Rock Lake Marsh and Cedar River.
After eating dinner and chatting with my old man at Chili Nights, I rolled back into the compound with 132 miles for the day. I forgot to take my customary foodie pic, but the chorizo quesadilla hit the spot nicely. 🙂
C8/Sabael Trail
STILL CLOSED AS OF FRIDAY EVENING:
I guess the lawyers didn’t get her done in time for the weekend. But I’ll check again on Saturday and see.
Until this trail re-opens, there is no legal connect between Indian Lake village and Speculator.
One more thing…
In Moose River Plains, approaching Inlet, a 4 pack of throttle jockey jackals rode on the inside of a turn and the front guy almost clipped me. Unfortunately, they did succeed in running a couple off the trail about a 1/4 mile ahead of me and didn’t even look back.
After I made sure the couple were alright, I decided against heading for the Old Forge and figured that Raquette Lake and Long Lake would be less of a zoo.
Weekend Outlook
Assuming the weekend storm takes it to the house, we’ll be swimming in snow by Sunday morning! You can check my forecast updates here: https://www.ilsnow.com/weather/
Just remember that big snow leads to big bumps with heavy traffic. But there will be oodles of fresh powder to thrash for the ambitious!
Dress for survival in the bitter cold and play it close to the vest, especially if you are riding solo.
Have fun! This has been the big white dump we’ve been waiting for. 🙂
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
This report is brought to you by Pilot Knob Marina in Lake George. Just get off Northway I-87 Exit 20, then follow NY Route 149 East until you hit the junction of NY Route 149 and Bay Road. Pilot Knob Marina features a wide selection of new and pre-owned Arctic Cat snowmobiles & ATVs. If you see Nick Barber, tell him that Darrin @ ilsnow.com sent ya!
