2/27/23 Update
Town of Indian Lake is busy putting Humpty Dumpty together again. Victory Lap, S86/Main drag, C8 toward Moose River Plains and S84 toward Blue Mountain Lake and Newcomb, all being groomed.
Even C8/Sabael trail was groomed. But that still looked mighty rough peering southward from Pashley Road toward the direction of Furnell’s field. More snow is needed to build it better.
And yes! Snow IS coming tonight into Tuesday. Nothing close to a blockbuster, but probably enough for further improvement in trail conditions.
If you can sneak up here to bang out a mid-weeker, that would be a solid play call. We’re entering the Back-9 of Winter.
2/26/23 Ride Report
Between this lean winter and life happening in ways we don’t anticipate, Crazy Cal and I had only gotten together for a couple of rides.
We made plans to bang one out from the compound on Sunday. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This ride was going down, no matter what!
Met up and started rolling by 10am. Heading out of town, C8/Sabael trail was absolutely horrible – bumpy, rough and more haggard than Macaulay Culkin after a week-long bender. At least the water holes are icing over after a couple of sub-zero cold nights.
Indian Lake and Lewey Lake were white velvet. The campsites in between? Well… about as you’d expect: rough and bumpy.
C8/2 Miles of Hell sucked. About par for expectations.
Cal and I reached Perkins Clearing happy that we survived Sabael trail and 2 Miles from Hell without becoming involuntary organ donors.
Perkins Clearing was its usual snowmobiling happy place, at least partially expunging the memory of getting pummeled by the C8 medieval torture chamber.
On to Speculator
C4/C8 Big Brook was studder-ripple all the way to the outhouse, but a passable ride considering the busy weekend. Fawn Lake trail was a notch better and an enjoyable ride.
Sacandaga Lake was more white velvet. LP1/Page Street was beaten up, but I’ve seen far worse from that avenue on a weekend.
Lake Pleasant – more white velvet! All the lakes were plush and fun riding.
LP4A was studdery in places down to Old Route 30 but far from awful.
Speculator Tree Farm was its usual snowmobiling happy place. And we stopped at Kunjamuk Cave on C4/Cave Hill Road.
After fun rabbit-holing in the Tree Farm, we made the cut up to Perkins Clearing. From Wolf Hill Road, the first couple miles of trail up to Pig Rock parking lot were really rough. But I pressed on because I knew we’d hit the groomed section towards the top.
After crossing Route 30, the logging slash section was thin and stubbly, but passable. Would definitely welcome more snow in there.
The way home
Cal was bent on getting home with a 100-miler under his belt. So I lead us the long way via LP9/Nichol Vly and Carpenter Hill Road thence out through Perkins-T intersection. Most of that was nice riding.
Then, it was back up to Indian Lake. By the time we got back into town, the main drag was studder-choppy, and yes, as ragged as Lindsay Lohan after a 3 day coke binge.
After Cal and I parted ways, I rolled over to Indian Lake Restaurant for dinner. A guy who pulled in behind me told me that he had ridden to here from Old Forge. Told me Moose River Plains was good, but C8 from Headquarters into town was “17 miles of hell.” Gotta say I really pitied him, and could only say, “God bless you!” I’m not ashamed to say that I would have just turned around at Headquarters. Not like I would have been given combat pay or a big prize to endure that stretch of torture.
I ordered the Abanakee burger, a fun and messy burger in the same lineage as the Gorgonzola burger. And the side of sweet potato fries, because they’re awesome.
Don’t usually go big on dessert while riding. But since I was done for the day, better judgement got tossed out the window. I opted for this death-by-chocolate challenge. Good thing I’m not diabetic, or else the restaurant staff would have been calling for an ambulance.
That 6 layered cake gave me a run for my money. But I was able to make the short run back to the compound to finish the ride with 106 miles. And yes, Cal bagged his 100 miler.
Bottom line
I knew what I was walking into with this ride. If we had an abundant winter, I would have passed on today. But we’re well past the point of beggars being choosers. We found enough good to make the lumps worth taking. Nothing like taking a beating alongside my life-long friend, lol!
Great riding weather though. Max temps near 30*F with snow in the air most of the day – enough to put a fresh inch down at the ilsnow storm center by the time I got home.
Outlook
There is sufficient material for the groomers to patch Humpty Dumpty back together again around town. Not many times I could say that this winter.
We’ll add more snow to the pile Monday night into Tuesday. For mid-week, we’ll deal with above 32*F temperatures and rain/wet snow chances. I’ll be optimistic and say that we’ll survive and line it up for another riding weekend here in ilsnow land.
I’ll be taking my whacks into the Back-9 of Winter.
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.
