Between the snows we’ve picked up this week, snow pack is 8-14+ inches in Indian Lake and upwards of a foot-and-a-half or more in Moose River Plains. In other words, it’s looking like winter in ilsnow land. 🙂
We rounded up the Indian Lake Lost Boyz of Winter for this ride: Crazy Cal, Matty and myself.
Started at the Brown’s Farm Parking lot near the end of Cedar River Road and wormed our way back to Moose River Plains.
Summary of ride conditions…
There wasn’t a lot of Moose River Plains that was completely flat, but it was still a pretty fun ride through there:
End of Cedar River Road to Headquarters – Ripple bumps
Headquarters to Silver Run – Ripple bumps plus occasional roller bumps
Silver Run to Limekiln Gate – Ripple bumps
Inlet loop trails – Bumpy with a few water spots going over the top. But nice and flat elsewhere.
Ole Barn to Gilbert Road/Screamen Eagle – Ripple bumps but pretty good base. Not a lot of pebble-pushing through there.
There must have been a lot of snowmobile traffic because Wednesday’s new snow was completely tamped down on the trail. And there were still 9 trucks in the Brown Farm parking lot when we got back.
Netted a little over 60 miles and had a nice dinner at Screamen Eagle, so that’s that! I really needed to get out and ride badly. Even my Mom told me I had to get out there and she’s no fan of Indian Lake winter.
And how could I NOT get geeked up for riding when it was looking like this in town:
My Dad’s passing away has been absolutely crushing on me. But I’m starting to pull myself back with help from many caring people – and a jolt from the one thing that makes me feel alive, electric and starts with S…Snowmobiling! 😉
I’m riding with another crew on Thursday. Gotta get it while we got it, eh?
Other things…
Indian Lake Parks and Rec Department has started grooming the local trails and C8 out to Headquarters. I’ve heard some good and bad riding reports locally. Just watch out for the water/mud spots because it hasn’t been cold enough, long enough to freeze them over completely.
As for Speculator, I don’t have any first hand info. Just assume that Perkins Clearing will probably be pretty good and the narrow woods trails will need water holes to freeze up. Just know that your Perkins Clearing riding will be limited due to the north end of Perkins Clearing Road and Jessup River Road all the way back toward Spruce Lake gate is plowed for logging and closed to snowmobiling this year.
Lakes?
I can’t tell you that any ice is safe to ride. As more and more people ride the lakes, you’ll need to decide for yourself whether the reward is worth the risk.
Outlook
Obviously, Thursday will be the best day of the lot. But I think conditions will hold up somewhat going into Friday. Unfortunately, we’re going to get spanked hard over the weekend. So get up and grab it ASAP!
We’ll have to see what’s left on the other side and rebuild on that. It’s not like it hasn’t happened before….
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
This report is brought to you by Progressive Motorsports, celebrating their 27th 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.
