The winter that took forever to get here is taking forever to leave! But it will leave, as it does each year, unfortunately.
Wednesday night’s fresh covering of snow came with strong wind that knocked out power, phone and internet to much of Indian Lake, NY into Thursday morning.
Once life got back to normal, I hit the trails by noon. The handsaw I always carry on my snowmobile came in handy as I used it to remove 3 fairly large diameter fallen trees in the first three miles heading out of town.
S84 was a long stretch of rough bumps around Million Dollar Bridge. Then it ranged from studder-ripple/studder-bumps to low & medium height rollers out to the intersection with Newcomb/Old 538 trail. Bumps were spaced far enough apart to permit a half-way decent ride to the prizes awaiting me. Thin and at times pebbly sections on the hill climb until I got over the top.
S84 extension to Lake Durant was untracked, pretty-as-a-postcard riding.
Old Stage trail to Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner was a nice, slow-paced ride through the twisties. Chef Darrell’s wasn’t open, but I did get to chat with the man himself. Even when he’s not open, he’s at work!
Up to Newcomb
First few miles of Newcomb/Old 538 trail were decent riding, then became rather bumpy up to Essex County line.
Newcomb side? Untracked beauty!
Aside from several thin/balding corners and some bumps here and there, it was really nice riding.
C8A was gorgeous to Newcomb! Aside from several thin/balding spots and a few holes in the ice bridges from running water, it was nearly as good as I’ve seen it. Thanks for staying home and letting me have this all to myself.
Plowed road into Newcomb proper was rocky and pebbly, so I didn’t bother running that in.
With winter cold, HERO SNOW held through the day which enabled me to do a bunch of “rabbit hole” and Backcountry Bastard Lite riding.
Nice view of Goodnow Mountain from this partially logged bluff.
Breathtaking view of High Peaks glistening in the late-afternoon sun.
Just an incredible day to run it up to Newcomb. I had this place entirely to myself. No other fresh tracks crossed mine.
Back to Indian Lake
Southerly exposed hill sections on S84 descending toward ilsnow Capital City were getting spanked.
By the time I rolled back into town late afternoon, trails were skunky near road crossings again.
Since C8/Sabael trail has been holding up surprisingly well in the woods and continues to be nearly flat riding, I took advantage and rolled it down to Indian Lake. Aside from being a bit icy at the southern end, it was one of the most amazing rides I’ve had on the big pond.
FELT SO ELECTRIC!!
Felt no desire to touch my skis on the Campsite trail, even to rip Lewey Lake. Absolutely wasn’t going to bang it through C8/Two MIles of Hell, because I already know what Perkins Clearing looks like from riding it 3 times this week.
Ain’t no way I would add unnecessary lumps and bumps to mar this awesome day!
As the sun got low, the temperature dropped and tightened up C8/Sabael trail to make steering very difficult at times. Had to take it slow and easy through that avenue.
No need to pad this one with a Victory Lap, especially with the trails tightening up. Rolled back to the compound just before sunset with 114 sunny (and cold) miles!
- 517 miles this week
- 2141 miles in March
- 4474 miles for 2022-23 season (personal record, for sure!)
No Canada miles, no out-of-state miles and no overnighters. I’m home every night after these rides! If I had listened to Debbie Downer and Johnny Couch Banger, I would have missed a TON OF FUN this winter.
Even with Saturday’s blowtorch, diehard snowmobiling will continue into early April in the usual nooks and hangouts. After riding to my heart’s content this week, I’m highly tempted to walk away and be content with hitting a home run in my final at bat. Worked for Ted Williams! Sometimes, it’s better to leave a bit on the table and go out on top.
Weekend Outlook
If you didn’t bother coming up last weekend or this week, you needn’t read any further.
For die-hards…
Snowpack is robust for the end of March throughout central Adirondacks, ranging from as little as bare spots to several inches in exposed areas to a foot or two in the woods. Snow bowl areas in higher elevations of watersheds still hold over 2 feet of dense snowpack.
That won’t all disappear on Saturday. But it will take a huge hit as temperatures rise through the 50s and possibly hit 60*F in ilsnow land, after a soaking rain to soften up the snow pack. Whatever remains will get frozen tight Saturday night into Sunday under a shot of unseasonably cold air to staunch the bleeding.
With trail crews presumably finished for the season, you may wish to carry a handsaw just in case. More strong winds are likely at times over the weekend.
Your safest bet for riding will be the late-season hangouts like Powley Road, Perkins Clearing from Mason Lake parking lot, Speculator Tree Farm from Old Route 30 parking lot, and even S84 from Lake Durant into Newcomb/Old 538 trail.
Some narrow woods trails may survive, but many of them won’t. Any trail running along or near plowed roads will be completely shot.
Another big warm-up will be around the turn for next week.
Take whatever shots you have left, sooner rather than later.
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
This report is brought to you by Adirondack Lake Cabins. Stay here and ride the snowmobile trails from your cabin with direct access to Trail S86 and Adirondack Lake in the Town of Indian Lake!
