I got off to a late start snowmobiling on Wednesday. Figured I would just ride around Town in the afternoon to scope out local Indian Lake trail conditions merely for the sake of a trail report.
My mind was open-minded for whatever, but I honestly didn’t think I’d be riding for more than 2 hours at most.
Low-down on what I saw around Town:
S85/Ski Hut – Groomed but still bumpy with mudholes.
S87/42nd and Broadway – About as bumpy and rough as I’ve seen it
C8 through Bear Trap Swamp and S86 to One Stop – Groomed and acceptable snowmobile riding conditions. But the spur trails to Bear Trap Inn and Indian Lake Restaurant/McSweeney’s/Stewarts hadn’t been groomed yet.
S86 One Stop to Lone Birch – Ungroomed and rough riding!
C8/Sabael trail – I didn’t get to ride this one. Snowmobilers are making it through, but I have no idea on how bad (or half-way decent) it could be. Expect the worst, appreciate if better for that one.
S84/Blue Mountain – I’ll save the worst for last! Read my report all the way through.
There were a couple of mudholes in town, but easily negotiated.
It wasn’t all chocolates and roses in town, but groomers are out there trying to make it work. Here was one of the good spots.
I encountered a Town of Indian Lake groomer tag-team in Bear Trap Swamp, coming back into town on C8. Like any snowmobile rider looking for a good time, I followed the ribbon to see where it would lead.
On to Moose River Plains!
Yes, Johnny!!! You heard me, on to Moose River Plains!!
That ribbon led through C8 out to Cedar River Headquarters. There were some residual bumps for the first half mile or so. Then it became a good quality ride for the vast majority of my passage. I encountered one minor water spot that the groomers had nearly caked over. The more open sections past Sprague Brook Bridge were, I daresay, fast and nearly flat!
Small bumps and a few rollers appeared on the narrow section that runs close to the river and some places were scuffed down to dirt. But we’ve all seen MUCH worse from that section. I made it to Headquarters with a ride that had already exceeded expectations.
Rolling through the Indian Lake side of Moose River Plains was about as good as I’ve experienced that avenue in a while. It was a bit thin passing Headquarters. But snow became plentiful once I got over the top, a true winter wonderland up there! Beautiful riding continued to Silver Run turnaround. It was a rush!!
Inlet side had subtle studder-ripple in places but was still a fun rip to the Big-T. As I approached Inlet, some of the corners were chewed down to snirt and pebbles. The final few miles to Limeklin Lake Road were nearly cinders and ashes.
Into Inlet
Ole Barn to Screamen Eagle via Gilbert Road was cinders and ashes. It was bit of a chippy ride, but it got the job done.
I rolled into Inlet about 20 minutes before Screamen Eagle opened. So, I stopped at the Inlet Information Center and chatted with Adele for a bit. She was busy selling Inlet/Webb snowmobile passes.
Once Screamen Eagle opened at 3pm, I promptly played seek and destroy with an order of salt and vinegar wings.
After loitering inside after dinner to get warm, I chatted with Amanda for a bit before heading out the door.
The ride back to Indian Lake
The afternoon’s traffic tore into the trails somewhat. So, it wasn’t as good coming home as it was going out. But it was still enjoyable enough. As long as the groomers continue to comb this daily, it should be a surprisingly good ride to begin your weekend.
To add cheap fun, I ran the 4-mile trail from Headquarters down to Cedar River Road. WOW that was a RUSH!!!
I was tempted to roll Cedar River Road all the way back to Indian Lake, just to avoid all the twisty turns on C8. But there was hardly any fresh snow on the road by the time I got to Brown’s Farm, so I turned tail and rode back to Headquarters, thence C8 to Indian Lake.
OK, I saved the worst for last
Arrived back to town around dark. I went to sniff S84 out toward Blue Mountain Lake. If it was any good, I was thinking of hitting up the Newcomb trail to extend my ride. Well, S84 smelled like ASS!! Endless hard washboard bumps, one after another. I only made it to Million Dollar Bridge before I gave up on it.
Seriously, I pray that trail gets groomed before the weekend. Or else someone may become an organ donor out there.
Completed the ride with 98 miles. Wasn’t going to bang out the extra 2 miles just to call it an even 100. The ride was what it was.
Even in cruddy winters, I’m happy to get out there and ride. There’s no time I feel more alive than I do right now!
Weekend Outlook
With groomers doing what they can, I can say that riding conditions in many places will be better than what they were last weekend. But it won’t approach mid-winter perfection – or even par. Stroll in here with modest expectations and you’ll probably leave town happy when you’re done.
I haven’t ridden Speculator area this week. But I would assume that Perkins Clearing, Speculator Tree Farm and Powley Road will be good to go. Narrow woods trails will be hit or miss. Some good, some fair, some bad and maybe a bit of awful.
As for lakes… Yes, people are riding them. But keep in mind that ice thickness is half of what it should be by mid-winter. There is dangerously thin ice extending from inlets and outlets, sometimes for significant distance. Be careful out there!
After Friday’s Arctic blast, another warm-up is around the corner for next week. Do you want to risk not coming up here this weekend, just because it ain’t perfect right now? I’ll let you make that call for yourself.
For the ilsnow nation.
Darrin
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