Speculator to Bleecker snowmobile ride

February 21, 2025 Trail Conditions No Comments

Did something a little different on Friday’s ride. Darrin Jr’s snowmobile was ready for pickup at Village Motorsports after a couple of issues were resolved.

Instead of going to Speculator only to pick up Jr’s sled, we decided to haul my snowmobile to Speculator and start a ride from there. T’was a way to kill two birds with one stone.

Before we embarked on the ride, Darrin Jr was hungry and got us breakfast sandwiches from Mountain Market. I seldom eat before afternoon. But if he’s buying, I’m eating!

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Heading out

Unloaded at Moffitt Beach Campsite on the east shore of Sacandaga Lake. Zipped across the lake and found C4/Fish Mountain trail as good as you can hope to find it.

After crossing Oxbow Lake, we found C8/Spy Lake trail in great condition!

Powley Road was…. Powley Road!

Entering Stratford

C8A leaving Powley Road was studder-ripple at times. Pretty as a postcard scenery through snow laden trees.

Eventually got caught up in the groomer parade on C8/C8A through Stewart Landing.

On to Caroga Lake and Bleecker

C8 Stewart Landing to Caroga Lake was good to excellent riding.

Darrin Jr. was having a good time!

C8 past Caroga Lake got studder-bumpy with some light to moderate moguls. Not good, but not bad enough to turn tail.

C7G was nice riding at times and studder-bumpy at others. Encountered a huge logging slash field to navigate through. The skidder was in the process of plowing a pathway for us.

During this ride, we encountered several Indiana Jones bridge crossings.

Local 439 was a good ride to Bleecker Fish and Game Club, then became a bump-n-grind to Vandenburgh Pond. After zipping across the pond and following a couple of plowed roads, we reached Mountain Hut for lunch.

Lunch

Soup of the day and panini sandwich with hand cut fries hit the spot.

This place is definitely worth a stop on snowmobile!

Heading back

Was about 3pm when we got back outside. Knew it was time to make the broad arc back to Speculator.

C8 from Peters Corners to Caroga Lake was bumpy and quite rough at times.

When Local 539 presented itself as a bypass to Caroga Lake, we took it! Some of the day’s best riding.

Got to Caroga Lakeview Store for a fuel stop and found Whoville!

Zipped across West Caroga Lake to find S83. That avenue started good, then became studder-bumpy at times until FULT 121 intersection, then became a good ride again until we rejoined C8A/C8.

Hit a fresh groom near Pleasant Lake Inn getting close to dark.

From there, was a good ride to Stratford bridge, although soft studder-ripple returned as we left the fresh groom behind.

C8A from Stratford bridge to south end of Powley Road had studder bumps and deep rollers. Not a fun ride, but snow was soft enough for some forgiveness.

Thankfully, Powley Road and C8/Spy Lake trail provided miles of good riding back to Oxbow Lake!

C4/Fish Mountain trail was bumpy from the day’s traffic, but not completely awful and jarring.

Then the quick rip across Sacandaga Lake to Moffitt Beach Campsite to finish the ride with 146 miles. Not a bad day at the office trying some new riding territory in the far southern Adirondacks with my son.

BONUS: Didn’t have to mash our way through 2 Miles from Hell on snowmobile! I’ll take that WIN.

Bottom Line

Lots of twisty snake turns, long one lane bridges and divided trails. Beautiful riding scenery through hardwoods. After leaving Powley Road, I earned my miles on this ride. If your shoulders are not in “riding shape” you’ll feel the burn!

Good ride to add to my toolbox when I’m in the mood for meandering, slow-going riding.