After yesterday’s 190+ mile ride to Brantingham and back, I didn’t get back into the game until about noon.
My lateness to the party had given the groomers a chance to make their rounds. Here is what it looked like when I departed the compound:
A few goobers got on my case when I posted this picture on Facebook because they thought I was riding on the left side of the trail. Not quite: I was getting onto the trail from that point and there was no oncoming traffic from either direction. But thanks for judging me. I’m certain the pleasure was all THEIRS!
Yup, I knew it was going to be a pretty good ride. 🙂 I ripped around the victory loop and found all the local Indian Lake Town trails to be in the best shape they can be for our low snow conditions.
I eventually decided to make the run down south to enjoy lake riding and Perkins Clearing/Speculator Tree Farm.
C8/Sabael trail was being groomed as I went through there. There are some holes in the trail over the swampy areas, but the trail was entirely passable with a little care.
Indian Lake was a great ride all the way down:
There were some slush spots, but nothing too bad.
Campsites were bumpy, but not awful yet. Lewey Lake was a nice crossing.
2 Miles from Hell was bumpy and snirty with water spots at the bottom, but did improve up top.
Into Perkins Clearing
S82C/Old Indian Lake Road was pretty good along Route 30, but once that trail disappeared into the woods, it sucked. Here was some of the hash I had to navigate:
Perkins Clearing Road and Mud Lake Road back to Mossy Vly were in good riding shape. I didn’t bother with LP9/Nichol Vly trail or Carpenter Hill Road.
Into Speculator Tree Farm
S41C/Hatchery Brook trail was bumpy in some places and nice in others. I did see recent groomer tracks heading down C4 toward Speculator village, but I didn’t head in that direction.
S41/Silver Hill was horribly rough up top, so I didn’t take that trail.
Elm Lake Road and Fly Creek Road were pretty good. Long Level Road was good to excellent riding. I didn’t ride Cave Hill Road, but Old Route 30 was a fun rip down to the old steel bridge:
In my sojourn through the Tree Farm, I helped a couple of lost snowmobile riders get back up to Hatchery Brook trail so they could find their way back up to Indian Lake.
Heading for home…
Pretty much just ran it back up the gut to Indian Lake. On my way back through, I seemed to hit more slush on Lewey Lake and Indian Lake. Don’t know whether the lakes had actually become more slushy, or I was doing a better job “finding” slush.
You can see where the sun is baking the trail coming off Indian Lake:
Had meatloaf for dinner at the Indian Lake Restaurant:
Then I ripped another victory lap around Town after I refueled for my next ride at the One Stop. Rolled into the compound after shortly after dark with 110 miles clicked off. Not bad for 6 hours worth of “work”, eh? 😉
And yes….night riding!!
Bottom line:
The couch riders say “NO GO!” But I just keep riding. What can I tell ya? If you wait for perfect this winter, it’s gonna pass you by.
I can tell you that Indian Lake Parks and Rec are doing everything in their power to make our snowmobile trails ride-able and enjoyable with our low snow conditions. It would be a shame for you to let that go to waste. 😉
Guess you got Friday to hit it until the weekend hordes realize we’re one of the few games open for play in New York State.
Have at it!
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
This report is brought to you by Steet Ponte Auto Group. Many of the vehicles here in Indian Lake are bought from the Steet Ponte. Co-owner Joe Steet is a huge fan and booster of ilsnow.com. If you’re looking for a new truck, give Steet Ponte a good look.
