Homecoming ride! Indian Lake to Brantingham

January 6, 2026 Trail Conditions No Comments

Wednesday, January 7th update: Picked up 4 inches of new snow last night at the ilsnow storm center in Indian Lake, NY

You know what to do! Drop a dime on a “sick day” and bang out the mid weeker.

It’s been a good start to the snowmobiling season. I’ve had several great rides up north, including a 200 miler on Sunday.

But that first big ride from my hometown kicks the season into high gear. OH YEAH!

Darrin Jr blew off work to bang out the mid weeker with me. I’ve taught him well.

Since my sled was still on the ilsnow mobile command center from the last ride, it was easiest for me to park-n-ride from the old landfill at the end of Pelon Road.

S87/42nd and Broadway was ungroomed and fairly bumpy. C8A/Old S84 segment from Benton Road into Indian Lake was groomed Monday, but had residual terrain divots/bumps.

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Heading out

Met up with Darrin Jr in town and we decided to follow the fresh groom on C8 to Cedar River Headquarters.

Had some terrain divots/bumps and a few rock tops leaving town. But the vast majority of C8 to Headquarters was the best I’ve seen of that avenue in recent memory.

I’ll take fresh groom into Moose River Plains for $1000, Alex! Indian Lake side was MINT.

Inlet side of Moose River Plains hadn’t enjoyed a morning groom. Traveled over some wavy roller bumps and encountered a few scratchy spots. But it wasn’t close to terrible.

Ole Barn through Inlet was freshly groomed and better than usual riding. 4th Lake was well tracked and we ripped it to Daikers.

Town of Webb Trail 5 from Daikers to Rondaxe Road was the usual cocoa-colored snirt stripe, but had been groomed for a comfortable enough ride.

Trail 9 was OK, but nothing more.

Brantingham run

Hit a fresh groom on Trail 1 and we decided to roll to Brantingham.

Nice ride for most of Trail 1, but encountered thin/bony spots final mile or two before Stillwater Road.

First quarter-mile of Brantingham bypass trail was brutal humpback mogul riding. But we caught a fresh groom on the other side of that hell and followed it through C7E/Three Lakes Trail and C7B/Ten Mile Road. Other than the final 2 miles plowed before reaching Partridgeville Road, it was excellent riding!

C7B/Kovich trail was snirty in places, but had been groomed for enjoyable passage. Partridgeville Road had enough snow on the margins to grease the skids into Brantingham.

Lunch at Pine Tree Inn was the Moose Breath Burger topped with sauteed onions, peppers and Swiss cheese with a side of sweet potato fries. I knew what to do with that!

Helped Darrin Jr finish his appetizer basket. Nothing is safe from the human trash can!

The ride home

After lunch, we gunned for the 200 miler!

On the return trip, we rolled Stillwater Road to Big Moose and ran Trail 2 back to Old Forge. That was pretty good. Pipeline trail was AWESOME! Trail 3 was great riding, spun Deer Yard loop along the way. We exited Old Forge via Trails 8 & 5.

Found a fresh groomed snirt stripe through Inlet after crossing 4th Lake. Hit up immaculately groomed Inlet Loop trails to Luppi’s Lookout.

After hanging out there for a breather, we pressed home. Connector trail into Moose River Plains was bony in places, but got the job done.

Inlet side of Moose River Plains was tattered, hopefully that receives a fresh groom on Wednesday. Indian Lake side of Moose River Plains was holding up for a fun ride! We hit Red River T and Big T dead enders to pad happy fun miles.

Also ran spur trail back-n-forth from Headquarters to Cedar River Road trailhead to leave no doubt on hitting 200 miles by ride’s end. That was a rip!!!!!

Vast majority of C8 from Cedar River Headquarters to Indian Lake held up as good to excellent riding by early Tuesday night. But the final miles into Indian Lake through the Forest Preserve section had gotten bumpy with terrain divots and several rock tops.

Main drag from Crow Hill Road to Indian Lake Market was rather bumpy. After refueling, Darrin Jr and I parted ways.

S86A between Indian Lake Market and Lone Birch was an ungroomed ANUS POUNDER!

Crossed Adirondack Lake and encountered some frozen slush, not a very smooth crossing.

Loaded by sled back onto the ilsnow mobile command center after 210 miles. LEFT NO DOUBT!

Ride map

Click here for larger map and 3D Flyover

Bottom line

Great homecoming ride and perfect temperature for ALL DAY snowmobiling.

Come here and bang out the mid-weeker if you can! We’ll hold up until the next pain comes Friday and Saturday. I’m hoping for somewhat limited damage before it gets cold again Sunday. But it’s always better to ride it when you know we got it.