It’s been a painfully slow march toward a “real” snowmobiling season here in the central Adirondacks, feeling a good 3-4 weeks behind schedule.
But, in the lousiest of winters, we do build and hold a snow pack. Snow cover around Indian Lake is generally in the 3-6 inch range. It’s enough to make things look pretty, but not to spring most people loose for snowmobiling.
Even Moose River Plains into the western Adirondacks don’t hold much of snow yet, because the lake-effect snow season has been close to nil so far this winter.
Scouting trip
After work on Wednesday, I took a truck jaunt down Route 30 for a look-see at Perkins Clearing Road. Groomers were parked strategically on both ends to allow snowmobiles, but not automobiles, to pass through. And snowmobiles had been ridden in there.
It appears they are clearing snow from the south end of Perkins Clearing Road for logging – as evidenced by the icy road surface and the skidder parked there.
At the north end of Perkins Clearing Road, there was a solid few inches of icy/crust base with up to an inch of packed granular snow. Your best strategy to hit Perkins Clearing Road would be to park at the Mason Lake parking lot on Route 30 to enter Perkins Clearing Road from the north end.
I suspect the conditions for Moose River Plains would be similar – marginally rideable. The best way to hit that would be to park and ride from the Browns Farm parking lot near the end of Cedar River Road and pay the old lady $5 per snowmobile.
We did pick up an inch-plus of fresh snow Wednesday night into Thursday morning to add a bit of “fresh meat” on those bones.
Weekend outlook
Although Friday’s snow opportunity will only glance ilsnow land, we should pick up a small deposit of white paint to further improve snowmobiling conditions for Perkins Clearing and Moose River Plains. On top of that, Sunday will likely bring additional minor snow to the central Adirondacks, after starting as wintry mix.
The narrow woods trails hold a thin, but firm, icy base. But there is simply not enough snow to sufficiently cover up the rocks, roots and water bars to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride. That would definitely be at “your own risk” snowmobile riding, at best.
After the weekend, we’ll get another pulse of snow on Monday followed by brutal cold shot for Tuesday. It could be one of those days where the temperature struggles to lift above ZERO in the heart of the Adirondacks.
That air mass will quickly lift away next week, but I don’t yet see a pathway for a jailbreak warm-up or full on blowtorch either.
Bottom line
It’s slim pickings, for sure! But there is snowmobiling to be had in Perkins Clearing or Moose River Plains if you want it badly enough.
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
This report is brought to you by Pine’s Country Store. Their motto says it all: “A little bit of everything…” Conveniently located in downtown Indian Lake, NY at the corner of Routes 28 & 30 and proud home of the Pine’s Cam.
