1/5/25 Update: First the good news: Got 3-and-a-half inches of new snow last night into Sunday morning at ilsnow storm center in Indian Lake, NY. There’s undoubtably higher amounts of new snow to the west.
Seasonal road networks like Moose River Plains and Perkins Clearing (open from the north end) got a much-needed boost. DRAG of Speculator is starting to groom Speculator Tree Farm.
Narrow woods trails are rideable, but should be considered at-your-risk for now. We don’t have the deep snow that southwestern Adirondacks are blanketed under.
Now the bad news, as per Town of Morehouse Facebook page: Dear all snowmobilers I’m sorry to tell you that because of a last-minute decision by a landowner, trail C4 north off rt8 at the post office in the town of MOREHOUSE is permanently closed. We are currently working along with the NYSSA on a trail reroute. This means there is no way to get to Piseco Lake, Oxbow Lake, Lake Pleasant & Speculator from the Town Hub in Morehouse . We will keep you posted on a trail reroute if & when this happens.
Hope y’all had a great holiday season. We’re on to 2025!
At this point, I’m guessing Moose River Plains would be marginally rideable from the end of Cedar River Road. Snow coverage is thickest on the slope of Cellar Mountain between Headquarters and Silver Run. Inlet side past Big-T flats probably bony to rocky in large sections.
With the previous plowing in Perkins Clearing earlier this winter, there isn’t enough for it to be snowmobiling happy place. South end of Perkins Clearing Road into Mud Lake Road will be plowed and closed to snowmobiling for the winter.
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Winter will take hold into foreseeable future with strong blocking high pressure over Greenland. A massive Newfoundland vortex (NV) will develop in conjunction with the block. This will ensure persistent (but not extreme) cold through next week. But the sheer size and strength of the Newfoundland vortex would squash all would-be significant snow opportunities to our south.
As I’m fond of saying: If it can’t snow, at least let it be COLD! That often sets us up well down the road.
By mid-January, the Newfoundland vortex could move off its spot and merge with the Polar Vortex (PV). This would open the path for a parade of shortwave (S/W) weather systems to bring snow opportunities. I can’t tell you yet whether we’d score a big-bopper. But I see reasonable cause for optimism for mid to late January.
That’s all I got for now. Don’t have much more to share at the moment.
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
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Good morning, I’m having a hard time finding out trails conditions from Newcomb to Indian Lake since the club has closed, the NY map has the trails green, but I don’t know if that’s accurate, are they truly open? Any info would help. Is there a club I can follow that provides info on Newcombs trails?
Trails are open in Newcomb and Indian Lake, but grooming is limited with snow cover well under a foot in most places. You can see my Monday intel at https://ilsnow.com/2025/01/07/starting-to-roll/
Since Town of Newcomb now grooms Newcomb’s trails, their Facebook page will be their source of trail reports for Newcomb at https://www.facebook.com/newcombny once we get real snow.
Thank you for your assistance.