Cal’s favorite loop is the ride via Newcomb, Long Lake, Raquette Lake and Moose River Plains back to Indian Lake.
Being that Friday’s ride would get into HEAVY snowmobile traffic, we decided to bang it through Moose River Plains in the morning, then escape to lesser traffic in Newcomb for the afternoon.
Sound strategy is key to winning the game!
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Heading out
Started ride from end of Pelon Road and strolled across Adirondack Lake.
S86a on the way to Crazy Cal’s was MINT!
C8 from Indian Lake to Headquarters had small to modest bumps in some places, but good riding overall. Hit a fresh groom way out there and rolled it into Moose River Plains.
Indian Lake side was HEAVEN!
Moose River Plains, Inlet side was very good riding. Got very busy and borderline hazardous with throttle-jackal JABRONIs from the Old Forge hive flying through every other turn and corner.
By the time we reached the exit ramp to Inlet loop trails, I felt like I had been flying a combat mission.
As usual, Inlet loops were serene and immaculate riding.
Sun-splashed rips across 7th Lake and 8th Lake with Campsite in-between trail in good enough shape.
Surprise of the day was S81C. Usually that segment is a mile-and-a-quarter of hell. Friday morning, it was freshly groomed and the best I’ve ever ridden it. OH YEAH!
C8/Browns Tract Road was a GREAT ride into Raquette Lake.
Lunch was at the Tap Room and we got there just in time before the hoards rolled in. Started with Manhattan clam chowder and finished with a marinated pork sandwich. I’m not usually that hungry by noon, so the lighter fare hit the spot.
On to Long Lake and Newcomb
Beautiful rip across Raquette Lake. I don’t remember how S80 was leaving the lake, so maybe it wasn’t that bad. S80 snowbank trail along North Point Road was somewhat lumpy until Forked Lake. But we had a very good ride on the other side of Forked Lake into Long Lake.
S80 to Long View Lodge was SPOT ON!
Stopped into Long Lake for a refuel at Stewart’s. By early Friday afternoon, heavy snowmobile traffic was rolling into town. Amazing riding and view on the lake!
C7B from Long Lake to Newcomb was shockingly good for that trail. I couldn’t have asked for any better from it.
Awesome times continued on C8A into Newcomb proper.
Lake Harris Campsites to High Peaks Overlook trail was a good enough ride to enjoy the view. We didn’t encounter one other snowmobile in the time we were in Newcomb. I’m sure that won’t be the same story Saturday with Newcomb’s Vintage Snowmobile Races from 7:30am until 2pm.
C8A/Newcomb trail was a beautiful ride to Essex/Hamilton County line. Got wavy at times on Indian Lake side until we encountered a newly stamped groom from the hometown Snowarriors.
Indian Lake Snowarriors will have its Meet-n-Greet on Lewey Lake starting noon Saturday. Great opportunity to stop by and thank the crew for its stellar work on Newcomb trail and Indian Lake/Lewey Lake campsites trail.
C8A/Old S84 from Blue Mountain Lake to Indian Lake had very low and soft shredder bumps by late Friday afternoon. Good and enjoyable riding all the way through. Can’t ask for much better near the end of a busy snowmobiling day.
Crazy Cal and I tapped out the customary Victory Lap upon our return to ilsnow Capital City and refueled our sleds at Indian Lake Market for their next deployments.
I returned to Pelon Road with 138 miles for today’s ride. Weather was PERFECT for riding and the mid-February sun felt AWESOME! Ideal day to ride the lakes.
Crazy Cal now has a communicator and is on the comm with me. Think I created a monster with that move! Being tuned to Radio Cal all ride is an experience like no other. Things I’ll never be able to unhear. Will never be the same, lol!
Ride map
Click here for ride stats, larger map and 3D Flyover
Bottom line
Gonna be a BUSY BUSY WEEKEND in ilsnow land!
Lots of sleds swirling around town when we got back to Indian Lake. And my Speculator spy told me lots of snowmobilers were rolling around Sparkle City.
Best success strategy is to start as early in the morning as possible to grab the best miles before high traffic trails get thrashed. Then find your way to lesser traffic areas in the afternoon.
I’ve had 4 great rides this week! I’ll hunker down at the castle over the weekend and plot my riding for next week.
Have fun and enjoy!
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
