I absolutely love snowmobiling on cold, sunny days after a new snow! It is what winter is all about.
Couldn’t get out there fast enough today! But I had to complete my morning routines and tasks before flying out the door. I snowmobile AFTER my obligations are met.
That first ride from Indian Lake to Speculator is a mile post for me each winter. When I’m confident enough to ride lakes, Adirondack snowmobiling truly becomes my oyster. I did ride Indian Lake last week, but didn’t bother bucking through 2 Miles from Hell.
Today, I would have my dance with the devil and fight 2 Miles from Hell.
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.
Lets go!
Indian Lake town trails hadn’t been groomed since yesterday’s new snow. But C8/Sabael trail wasn’t that bad, other than chuckholes eaten away by water. The log corduroy was holding up well.
Nothing beats a sunny day on the big pond! Indian Lake was a fun cruise.
Campsites trail wasn’t bad at all. Not enough snowmobile traffic yet to pound the piss out of that.
Love this view from Lewey Lake!
C8/Two Miles from Hell FULLY lived down to its name. Zac Efron stand-up bump surfing all the way. Bordered on technical snowmobiling. Fortunately, untracked new snow cushioned the blow. There were numerous water bars and hazards, with this being far from the worst.
Thankfully, Perkins Clearing Road was worth the price of muscling my way through Two Miles from Hell.
Freshly groomed Perkins Clearing southern bypass trail? I’m down to ride that! Maybe one of my best rides through that avenue.
C4 after Route 30 crossing into Speculator Village was bumpy as f–k up top. Didn’t take me long to turn tail on that. LP41C/Hatchery Brook trail hadn’t enjoyed a morning groom, so I skipped that too.
Rolled it back into Perkins Clearing and hung a left onto LP9/Nichol Vly trail. Other than a few water bars in the middle section, a really nice ride.
Mossy Vly was frozen for bumpy, yet safe passage.
Carpenter Hill Road was its usual nice riding. From the back end of Perkins Clearing, I caught a fresh groom on C4/C8 Big Brook trail. Yeah, buddy!
Plentiful remnant divots and a few water bar crossings enroute to the outhouse intersection. But that trail was probably horrible riding before it was groomed. I take ALL wins!
C4/Fawn Lake trail was pretty good riding, aside from a few knarly water hazards.
Fawn Lake Road had enough snow on the margins to get by. But it would be nice to have a shelved snowbank to keep us off the road. Strong sun dries that quick!
C4/Fish Mountain to Oxbow trail was beautiful riding to the cemetery.
Lots of water hazards from cemetery to Oxbow Lake. But the trail had been repaired well enough to get by with care.
Oxbow Lake crossing was so fast, almost ripped the helmet off my head!
C8/Spy Lake trail was groomed for a great time!
Encountered several repaired water hazards between Jack’s Hill and Spy Lake.
C8A/Powley Road was MINT! Straights were helmet-whipping booty call.
At south end of Powley Road, C8A continuing to Stratford looked rather bad.
I would learn from other riders that trail improved after 2 miles in. But I didn’t regret my decision to turn tail and take Powley Road again from bottom to top!
My friends at Oxbow Inn got the call for lunch.
Got warm fluids with coffee and hearty chicken noodle soup.
And I didn’t leave hungry after the 1/2 pound burger and sweet potato tots. There was a patty under all that cheese and bacon, lol! Shame me if you must, but who wants to live forever anyway?
Talked to Jacqui at the bar and popped my head in the kitchen to say HI to Crysti. They seem pretty happy with how this winter has started, despite the few ups-n-downs we’ve had. Got to share my recon and compare notes with fellow riders having lunch. That’s always fun!
Heading home
Decided to hit up Speculator Tree Farm on the way back ilsnow Capital City, Indian Lake. Thin snow cover on Sacandaga Lake and Lake Pleasant, but just enough dusting for adequate cooling. LP1/Page Street trail was snirty in places, but groomed for a pretty good ride. Speculator village trails were hard and icy – ranging from nearly smooth to studder bumps.
C4/River Trail was bumpy into Speculator Tree Farm. C4/Cave Hill Road was a good ride to Old Route 30 intersection.
Turned tail and tried Pine Lakes Road. That was pretty bumpy, so I didn’t bother with that for long.
Elm Lake Road and Long Level Road weren’t as good as Cave Hill Road, but they passed for a good enough time. Fly Creek Road is CLOSED for logging.
Aside from a couple small water hazards on the hill leaving Elm Lake Road, Wolf Hill Road was a terrific ride with the near-setting sun.
Other than a few water hazards, S41C was groomed for a mostly comfortable ride though Pig Rock parking lot into Perkins Clearing.
Was dreading my return engagement with 2 Miles From Hell. I encountered a fresh groom from Mason Lake to 2 Miles from Hell parking lot. But the remainder to Lewey Lake was ungroomed and as bad as it was in the morning. AWFUL!
Nice cruise back across Lewey and Indian Lake. Sun and wind had thinned the snow on Indian Lake mid ride until I got near Lakeshore Drive/Sabael.
Indian Lake town trails hadn’t been groomed by the time I got back early evening. I’ll call them fair-at-best and leave it at that.
I can’t tell you whether groomers will roll in Indian Lake this weekend. I can only testify to what I saw TODAY.
Got back to the compound just after 5pm with 149 miles for the ride.
When I can have a good time at home, a ride from the compound ALWAYS beats two from the trailer.
Ride map
Click here for ride stats, larger map and 3D Flyover
Bottom line
Seasonal road snowmobile trails are your safest rides. Ride with extra caution on narrow, woodsy trails on account of water hazards.
If you wait for perfect, you’ll stay glued to the couch all winter. Some people are complaining about this winter because we haven’t had a big snow. I’ve been riding since opening week and got over 1500 miles under my belt.
What can I tell ya? There’s a reason I live here.
Get out and RIDE!
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
