Opportunity knocked for another ride before we get some rain Friday.
C8A/Old S84 toward Blue Mountain Lake was groomed this week. I decided to give that a shot.
Snowmobile was still on the ilsnow wagon, so I park and rode from the old landfill parking lot at the end of Pelon Road in Indian Lake.
Not a ride from the compound, but I started from my hometown again.
Heading out
S87/42nd and Broadway was groomed for a decent ride from the parking lot. One of my favorite spots along Cedar River.
C8A/Old S84 leaving Indian Lake was little tedious, but a half-way decent ride. Lots of low hanging ice and snow laden trees. Also, several water spots and a few rock tops. Pretty as a post card!
First several miles of O’Neil Flow Road/Newcomb trail had lots of low hanging trees. But open sections were nice riding.
Caught a recently groomed ribbon at Essex County line and enjoyed a nice stroll toward Newcomb.
Encountered a fallen tree about a mile south of Newcomb T intersection.
This is why a folding hand saw is my ERC (every ride carry). Took off my helmet, vest, jacket and got to work! After 15 minutes of applying elbow grease, I was on my way again.
That folding hand saw saves my ride a time or two each winter!
This report is brought to you by Mangino Chevrolet Buick GMC in Amsterdam, NY & Ballston Spa, NY. We know that you have high expectations, and as a car dealer we enjoy the challenge of meeting and exceeding those standards each and every time. Allow us to demonstrate our commitment to excellence! Our experienced sales staff is eager to share its knowledge and enthusiasm with you. We encourage you to browse our online inventory, schedule a test drive and investigate financing options.
Going for the loop!
Getting to the Newcomb-T seemed like work. At that point, I decided to take a sniff of C7B. Half mile spur to Route 28N was ungroomed and bumpy. Caught a recent groom after crossing the highway for a passable ride to Long Lake. There were several rough water bar spots within the first couple of miles.
Tarbell Hill Road had a nice shelfed snowbank to keep me off the pavement.
Dropped onto Long Lake. Didn’t see fresh tracks going all the way to the Town Beach, so I played it safe and got off at Long Lake DEC Boat Launch. From the launch, there was enough snow on the road and sidewalk to slither to Adirondack Hotel.
Velvety riding on Long Lake from Adirondack Hotel to Long View Lodge. Crossed the highway and caught a fresh groom that led to a halfway decent ride on S80 to North Point Road.
Town of Long Lake did a nice job grooming a shelf along S80/North Point Road.
Of course, I stopped at Buttermilk Falls. Nothing like taking the helmet off and hearing those falls!
Seasonal road to Forked Lake was groomed for a pretty good ride. Did the “grip-it-and-rip-it” across Forked Lake. Velvety crossing and one wide slush patch.
Most of the half-mile spur to Raquette Lake was groomed for a decent ride. Ripped over Raquette Lake. Good crossing aside from a few slush patches and one ice heave.
From Raquette Lake, C8/Browns Tract Road was worn and pebbly in spots but a pretty good ride to HAMI 121 intersection.
S81C was the usual mile-and-a-quarter of standing up bump surfing. 8th Lake was another velvety crossing with a few slush patches.
Trail through 8th Lake Campsites was decent. 7th Lake was an uneventful crossing after safely navigating Stump Alley.
Inlet loop trails were good to great riding. Made my way to Red’s Market via Limekiln Road groomed snowbank. Threw a splash of gas in the tank and took a short breather in the store.
Back to Indian Lake
Took Inlet loop trails into Moose River Plains. Inlet side of MRP was bumpy with occasional humpback rollers.
Indian Lake side of MRP was much better. Other than some bumpy turns, I didn’t encounter much worse than studder ripple. There were SCADS of snow on the slope of Cellar Mountain. Life is different at 2600+ foot elevation!
Most of C8 from Cedar River Headquarters to Indian Lake was really nice riding. Couldn’t find it in my black heart to complain about this!
Encountered some carbide clanking after Deer Valley parking lot. Final miles through forest preserve section to Route 28&30 crossing was bumpy at times with rock tops showing.
C8/S86 main drag into Indian Lake was worn in spots, but enjoyable riding. Especially beautiful through Bear Trap Swamp after the sun finally broke through late afternoon!
C8/Sabael trail was groomed for a mostly comfortable ride. There were a few water spots, with this one being the worst offender.
Had a gorgeous powder chowder ride on Indian Lake!
Campsite trail wasn’t bad YET.
Ripped across Lewey Lake. Thought about making the run to Perkins Clearing, but C8/Two Miles from Hell was ungroomed and bumpy. Sure, I could have pressed it to Perkins. But velvety lakes were calling me back. And the view from Lewey Lake!
Upon getting back to town, I refueled the sled at Indian Lake Market for the next ride. Then I headed over to McSweeney’s for dinner.
Started with roasted red pepper and smoked gouda soup. It’s incredible! One of my favorites.
Main course was the McSweeney angus burger with pepper jack cheese and bacon. And a side of sweet potato fries. Good thing I came hungry! That hit the spot.
Great eats and opportunity to reminisce of the days when Dad owned and operated Marty’s Tavern there. When I was a young kid, I’d watch from upstairs at the dozens of snowmobiles parked in the back yard on weekends. Had no idea where that would eventually take me!
After dinner it was back to the truck. S86A between Indian Lake Market and Sawmill Road had been groomed, but had some residual bumps. Encountered dense fog crossing Adirondack Lake as night settled in.
Bottom line
Completed the ride with 144 miles of track spun. Not a bad day at the office!
I don’t do the loop via Long Lake, Raquette Lake and Moose River Plains often. But it’s a good club in the bag when there is adequate snow for it and I feel confident enough to ride the lakes.
Seasonal milage is robust for January 8th. Dang, I could have spun off another mile to make it 1200!
Ride map
Click here for ride stats, larger map and 3D Flyover
Weekend outlook
Not optimal, but I think we’ll survive the January Thaw with somewhat limited damage. At the moment, central Adirondacks have a general 1-2 foot snowpack. Usual snow bowls harbor over 2 feet of snow.
Modelology is clustered at half-inch or LESS for rain on Friday. The most damaging episode should occur into Friday night with temperature spiking into the 40s and strong, gusty wind – before temperature settles to an overnight low of 32*F or lower.
Next weather event for Saturday night looking more likely to be snow and/or wintry mix. That would keep temperature hovering near 32*F. With marginal temperature, there’s a chance this can bounce favorably for us. At worst, it’s gunky or icy out there by Sunday morning.
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
