Tuesday morning update: Ended up with a couple inches of new snow Monday night, including a quarter-inch crust at the bottom of it.

Not a bad idea to blow off work and bang out a mid-weeker! Your employer will make $$ hand over fist whether or not you take some PTO.

Monday ride report

Took a break from snowmobiling on Sunday. Was a good time to catch up on neglected snow removal and household clerical duties.

I heard that Moose River Plains held up well last weekend. And Town of Indian Lake was grooming C8 out to Cedar River Headquarters Monday morning.

A ride out to Moose River Plains was in order! We set sail late morning from the Darrin Jr compound to give groomers a generous head start.

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Heading out from Indian Lake

Main arteries were brownish in places with some carbide clank, but were acceptable riding.

C8 heading out of Indian Lake was a brown stripe, bump-n-grind the first miles out to Deer Valley parking area. But trail conditions improved nicely the further out we got!

There was a SHORT plowed section for shared logging truck and snowmobile usage about 11 miles out of Indian Lake on C8.

Moose River Plains into Inlet

Town of Indian Lake groomers worked their magic into Moose River Plains. Headquarters to Silver Run was one of the best rides I’ve had through that avenue. Aside from a bit of scratch on the S-turns, it was MINT!

Also hit a fresh groom into Inlet side. Big-T flats were a rush! Both deadenders were groomed and untouched before we rode them. Red River T was about the best I’ve seen it!

The turns past Big-T intersection and the final couple of miles to Limekiln Gate were brownish with a bit of carbide scratch. But the morning’s grooming ensured a comfortable ride.

Other than being brownish in places, Inlet loop trails were impeccably groomed, as usual.

Ole Barn into downtown Inlet was a brown stripe.

Stopped at Inlet Information Center to bang out a midweek Town of Webb/Inlet permit for Darrin Jr. Then we ripped 4th Lake over to Daikers for late lunch. Aside from several slush areas, it was a good lake crossing.

Daikers was fairly busy, but didn’t feel crowded. Good atmosphere, good food!

The way home

Despite afternoon temperatures into the 30s, trail conditions hadn’t deteriorated much since the morning.

Aside from the brown and bumpy stripe from Gilbert Road to Ole Barn and the final miles of bump-n-grind into Indian Lake on C8, it was a good return ride.

Indian Lake side of Moose River Plains was holding up great.

OHHHHHHH YEAHHHHHH!!!!!!

Mixed rain and snow for the evening commute soaked through my riding gear. Felt good to peel off the wet clothes and dry out once I got home. Spun off 110 miles for Monday’s ride.

Ride map

Click here to see ride stats, larger map and 3D Flyover!

Bottom line

That was one of the best snowmobile rides I’ve had through Moose River Plains, wire-to-wire, in a long time. Couldn’t ask for any better from Indian Lake side!

I don’t usually ride on Monday because I give the groomers at least a day’s head start after the weekend to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. But I’m sure glad I rode today.

Darrin Jr has one more play Tuesday before he’s back to work. We’ll be out spinning more track!

For the ilsnow nation,

Darrin