C8 from Indian Lake toward Cedar River Headquarters had been groomed Monday. But my snowmobile was still on the ilsnow wagon. So, I punched in the cheat code to start from Brown’s farm parking lot at the end of Cedar River Road.
Why not enjoy the last miles home in my warm truck after my ride, instead of mashing my way back to Indian Lake on C8 in the dark? With age, comes wisdom (sometimes)…
Moose River Plains
It started with a fresh groom from the end of Cedar River Road.
I passed the groomer before Silver Run, but riding was good all the way across Moose River Plains. There were a few carbide scratches on the Inlet side.
Hit up both Moose River Plains dead-enders to poach untouched pow-pow.
WHAM, BAM…
…THANK YOU, MA’AM!
WOW, THAT WAS FUN!
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Inlet to Old Forge
Inlet loop trails were freshly groomed for FANTASTIC riding!
View from Luppi’s Lookout was MINT.
Ole Barn through downtown Inlet via Gilbert Road wasn’t as brown or scratchy as usual. Dropped down to 4th Lake and ripped it across to Daiker’s.
Trail 5 from Daiker’s to the pits was brownish. But I timed it right with a groomer rolling through.
Rondaxe Road was scratchy, but when is it NOT scratchy?
Trail 9 was nice, looking dapper at Carter Station.
Trail 1 got wavy at times approaching Stillwater Road. But the groomers had been through there to knock down weekend carnage.
Aborted Brantingham run
The first mile of Brantingham trail detour was horrible humpback moguls. The remainder of the ride via C7E to HERK40 was better, but I can’t say it was a particularly good ride.
C7B/Ten Mile Crossing toward Brantingham was rough washboard bumps with considerable carbide clank. I gave up on that within a couple minutes.
Turned tail and took C7B northward to Stillwater Road. That ride was fair at best, but light-years better than what I left behind. Score that as a WIN!
Stillwater to Big Moose/Old Forge via Beaver River
From Stillwater, I ripped across the reservoir. Encountered a couple of big slush patches mid-crossing, but nothing that frightened me.
Six Mile Road was a good ride to Beaver River. After stopping at Norridgewock to warm up by the wood stove for a few minutes, I pressed on.
C7/Railroad to Big Moose actually wasn’t bad. Much of this route had nothing worse than studder-ripple. Exposed causeways showed a bit of rail. And there were only a couple of rough spots.
From Big Moose, Trail 2 & 1 was a great ride into Old Forge.
Tobie Trail skirting around downtown Old Forge was in good shape. Easily got me to Fastrac for a refueling stop.
Old Forge
Doubled back through Trail 1 to hit Old Forge trails. Also rolled Trail 7 & 6 to Thendara with a quick stop at Elise’s lookout.
Town of Webb groomers were OUT IN FORCE Tuesday afternoon. I spun myself silly on the Old Forge trails.
Almost, everything I touched was MAGIC!
I eventually took my leave from Old Forge via Trail 3, 8 and 5. I even caught a fresh groom on Trail 5 enroute to the pits.
Back to Inlet
From Daikers, I pushed the fun flipper to the bar and ripped it across 4th Lake back to Inlet.
Stopped at Screamen Eagle to warm up and plow through a pile of peanut butter panic wings.
OH YEAH!
Night time Moose River Plains
Inlet side was somewhat tattered from the day’s traffic. But riding was pretty enjoyable.
Indian Lake side was a great rip back to Cedar River Road. Nothing like saving some of the best for last!
Got back to Brown’s farm parking lot with 183 miles spun for Tuesday. And I was happy to load the sled onto the ilsnow wagon and enjoy the warm ride home in the truck.
Ride map
Click here to see ride stats, larger map and 3D Flyover!
The map shows I took a hard right turn on Stillwater Reservoir and warped my way back to Old Forge. Didn’t happen like that, lol! I had accidentally shut off the location tracker on my phone. Sorry that I didn’t track the whole ride.
Wrap up
Gorgeous riding day! Didn’t make the Brantingham run I was looking for, but I had plenty of fun.
Snow pack is 6-12+ inches downtown Indian Lake, 12-18 inches through Moose River Plains into western Adirondacks and approaching 2 feet at Stillwater Reservoir. Wednesday’s snow will add to the pile nicely!
Looks like we’re setting up for our best weekend thus far this winter.
Closer to home
From the end of Benton Road in Indian Lake, I spied groomed trail onto C8A/Old S84 heading out of town toward Blue Mountain Lake/Newcomb trail. Could be worth checking out this week!
RIDE! RIDE! RIDE!
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
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