2/4/22 8AM Update: We got it!!! Nearly a foot of new snow in Indian Lake, and we’ll add a bit more to the pile today. It’s a whole new ballgame… We did get some rain on Thursday before we switched to snow for good in the afternoon, so there may be some messy spots.
Weekend traffic + lots of new snow = lots of bumps by Saturday afternoon. Set your expectations reasonably for the weekend. Groomers will be out there packing it down, but snowmobile traffic will churn it up as fast as they can lay down the white ribbon.
You can read my Wednesday ride report to set the baseline…
2/2/22 Ride report here
Yesterday’s ride was all about trolling Indian Lake. Wednesday’s ride was to enjoy Perkins Clearing to its fullest.
That would mean muscling my way through 2 Miles from Hell. Sure enough, it was bumpy, rough and snirty with bare sports. Thankfully, I was able to use the “Trail 30 shoulder bypass” up top.
Aside from that, it was a nice ride from Indian Lake all the way through Lewey Lake. Town trails had thin spots, but otherwise were as good as one could hope for. As they were yesterday, the lakes were marvelous riding.
Perkins Clearing
Bashing my way through 2 Miles of Hell was worth the prize in Perkins Clearing. Most of it was awesome riding!
I rode all throughout Perkins Clearing and romped around in the back bowels to look at some camps. It felt every bit like a warm March day. By mid-afternoon, some of those southerly exposures were showing dirt spots and grass tufts; a not-so-subtle reminder that snowmobiling season won’t be for much longer unless we make some serious snow bank in February.
But I gotta say…. It was nice to ride without being tethered by the heating shield cord. Rest stops did not require hat and mittens. Brought my lunch and it tasted so good in the Adirondack air. Just a wonderful time in Perkins Clearing and I had the playground nearly to myself. Maybe you can beat that, but you’d have to try really hard.
The way back
Sunshine and temperatures into the lower 40s did a number on the narrow woods trails by afternoon. 2 Miles from Hell was particularly f-ugly when I passed back through.
Lakes were holding up great. Indian Lake town trails were trying to hold their own. But the main arteries were beginning to lose the battle.
After a rip around the victory lap and hitting S85/Ski Hut trail, I rolled back to the compound with 92 miles of mostly easy riding, except for aforementioned 2 Miles from Hell. This ride was less about cranking miles and more about enjoying the great outdoors.
At any rate, I’ve had my fill of snowmobiling until the outcome of our upcoming snowstorm. Hopefully, I’ll be engaging in a binge-a-thon next week with a mega-miler or two thrown in. It’s already February and I feel like time is running out. That’s what happens when the season gets here late.
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
This report is brought to you by Progressive Motorsports, celebrating their 29th 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.
