After Tuesday’s mega-miler, I didn’t get back at it Wednesday until 10am. I’m human, after all, and needed a bit of time to recover.
Today’s direction was easy: NORTH! I had only ran to Blue Mountain Lake and Newcomb once this winter and was eager to try it again now that we’ve got real snow.
Headed out S84 under bright sunshine. It had enjoyed a fresh groom and I did encounter the Town of Indian Lake Parks and Rec groomer on its return trip. Was looking especially nice at Rock Lake Marsh.
After the Marsh, there were thin and worn corners under the evergreen canopy. It was the usual close-quarters riding through that avenue and I manage to clip some rock tops.
C8A/Old 538 Newcomb trail was an great ride from bottom to top. It seemed like the Indian Lake side had experienced a more recent groom.
On to Long Lake
C7B was not the nicest 14 mile run. It had deep divots and mogul bumps most of the way through. The wider sections along old logging roads were somewhat better.
Tarbell Hill Road had enough of shelved snowbank to slither on, which was good because sun was rapidly melting snow from paved roads.
Ripped across Long Lake and was disappointed to find out the Grange Park Way section of C7B was closed. Was gonna make the run up to Grampus Lake and beyond, but was thwarted. If I had wanted to press the issue, I could have ran Kickerville Road and do the S86/Lake Eaton loop. But I wasn’t in the mood for that.
So… It was back onto Long Lake and do the run to town.
Once I got to Jennings Pond, I found my way over S80/Mount Sabattis trail. For a while, it was a nice run through the power lines. I suspect this trail doesn’t get touched much when people can ride the lake.
Eventually, S80 became a bump-n-grind goat path with no room for error on the turns. But I did emerge to the other side to find a recent groom where the trail rejoined the power lines.
In case you’re considering getting off Long Lake from Old Steamboat Road, I’d say don’t….
I turned around and doubled back to S80 to hit North Point Road. Thank goodness the snowbank was shelved because the snow was disappearing from the pavement rapidly under the afternoon sun. Temperatures were cracking 40*F as well.
Stopped at Buttermilk Falls, because I’d be a fool not to on this gorgeous day.
Over to Raquette Lake and Inlet
I ran Forked Lake without any problems. The half-mile trail section down to Raquette Lake was brown and horribly bumpy. Was very glad to reach the lake. There were slushy spots on the main drag, but nothing I felt threatened by.
After I made landfall in Raquette Lake, I hit C8/Browns Tract Road, which was amazing. I almost never have a bad ride through there.
Uncas Road was holding onto ride-able snow cover. Opted to take S81B/Bug Lake trail to the Campsites. I had mixed results with that avenue. Nice riding in some places. Lumpy and bumpy in other places.
Scooted across 7th Lake. Had to be careful with hazard alley on the east end. Made the run into the Inlet loop trails, which were really nice riding away from the plowed driveway section to get it.
Conditions did thin out as I approached the Town of Inlet Highway Garage.
Decided to make the run to Inlet E-Z Mart to grab a bit to eat and get some water. I had gotten parched and hungry from riding in the warmth for several hours. It’s a good thing the snowbank along Limekiln Road was shelved because that road was BARE by the time I rolled through.
On the way home
I doubled back to the Inlet loop trails and hit the trail over the top to get into Moose River Plains. The Inlet side was bumpy and rough all the way through, even the Big-T flats! Thin spots were showing and sharp corners were scuffed down to dirt until I passed the Big-T.
In attempt to add smiles to the miles, I rode both the dead-enders. Red River-T dead ender was good for a few cheap thrills, but was nothing special. Big-T dead ender got the Moose River Plains gold star for today.
Silver Run to Cedar River Headquarters on the Indian Lake side was no saint. But it was better than the Inlet side by a country mile and a half.
I stopped at Headquarters to gather and brace myself for the 17 miles back to Indian Lake on C8. Yes, it was long and arduous. But it wasn’t as rough as Moose River Plains. Thank goodness for small favors…
When I got back to Indian Lake, I desperately wanted to end the ride on a good note. The victory lap around S86/Little Canada and S87/42nd and Broadway was a great cheap thrill. Even the inner arteries were holding OK with some shredder bumps.
Rolled back to the compound just after dark with 142 miles for the day. This ride was like eating Mexican food: Great on the way in, s#itty on the way out. I was more than happy to dismount my snowmobile when it was done, especially after riding over 200 miles the day before.
I might have been better served by returning from Long Lake the way I came. But at least you got some additional recon for my troubles.
For whomever rides Moose River Plains on Thursday, I hope the groomers get out there!
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
This report is brought to you by Allen Van Hoff – Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. Voted Realtor of the Year 2016 by Southern Adirondacks Realtors Inc., Allen Van Hoff is best described as a warm and friendly, attentive full-time real estate professional with a passion for the area and people he serves.
