Thou shall not ride on Monday. Not a commandment, but a guideline for me. It gives the groomers a head-start in repairing the trails after weekend carnage. Then, I can roll out the big rides mid-week when it’s clicking here.
Sometimes, “rules” that I set for myself can (and should) be broken, especially when I’ve rotted on the couch for weeks at a time this winter.
Monday morning was super nice and sunny. I didn’t have ambition for a big ride, but couldn’t go the day without spinning the track. I would have regretted it all summer if I hadn’t gone out.
My aim was to ride up to Newcomb. It’s one of my favorites on bright, sunny days with those glimpses of the High Peaks.
Heading out
Fresh groomer tracks on the Indian Lake main drag were very encouraging. C8/thru Bear Trap Swamp into S84/Blue Mountain trail was the best I’ve ridden it all winter. Highly enjoyable wire-to-wire, start-to-finish, coast-to-coast, bottom-to-top. Whatever you want to call it, riding was GREAT!
I also saw groomer marks heading on C8 toward Headquarters.
Newcomb trail
Indian Lake side of Newcomb trail/Old 538 to the Essex County Line was freshly groomed for scintellating riding.
From the Essex County Line, Newcomb trail/C8A had spotty bumps and sparse corner scuff, especially over Joseph Mountain. But most riding looked like this.
Scenic View
When riding out from Indian Lake or Blue Mountain Lake, immediately look for the first spur trail to the left after passing the groomer’s turnaround at Essex County Line. It’s a short, quarter-mile jaunt to see this amazing view of nearby mountains and distant High Peaks.
Of course, the video does it woefully limited justice. But this scenic overlook is bucket-list stuff on a sunny day.
The plowed road section rolling into Newcomb offered a not-so-subtle reminder that our snowmobiling days are numbered – no matter how good the riding may be right now.
To the Overlook!
C8A pressing through Newcomb proper was mealy in places but a good enough passage to rip it across Lake Harris.
Overlook trail definitely needed a combover with the groomer. But life along the Hudson River is all smiles in the heart of the Adirondacks, especially now!
I rolled to Newcomb Info Center to visit with Dave Hughes for a bit before doubling back to Newcomb Cafe and Campground for lunch.
We had a great chat and Dave offered to treat me to lunch at the Cafe. Wasn’t going to say NO to that!
Seriously though, how can Dave get any work done with this office view? Especially today!
Dave led us on a good, ole fashioned country hardball ride to the Cafe. Bro can ride!
I ordered up the Mexican burrito and fries breakfast platter. I think they pile on more every time I order this, to see whether I’m up for the challenge. Gave me a big run for my money, but down the hatch it went!
Had a great time eating and chatting at the Cafe. All part of a really fun day!
Back to Indian Lake
Knew I was going to have a great ride back to ilsnow Capital City. Good thing, because I felt a bit heavy after polishing off the pile of food.
S87/42nd and Broadway hadn’t been combed over since the weekend, but good enough to grab some Adirondack Lake.
Stopped at Ed and Marty Ford’s place on the lake and visited for a while. Had a ton of fun chatting about snowmobiling. Great people, great time!
By late-afternoon the Indian Lake main artery trails were bumped up in places, but not horribly so.
S85/Ski Hut trail was good for a cheap thrill, once I did a by-run.
Ended the ride with the sun setting over Bear Trap Swamp before rolling it back to the compound.
Bottom line
“Only” 80 miles. But it was exactly the ride I was seeking and probably among the most fun I’ve had this winter on a snowmobile.
Gotta love those early March sunny rides. Snow pack around Indian Lake is generally 1-2 feet. Less than that in southerly exposed areas. Snow bowls probably hold over 2 feet.
Instead of asking where this was all winter, ask how you can carve out some time to bang out a mid-weeker.
Time IS running out for us.
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.
