After Tuesday’s epic ride, what can I do for an encore?
NOTHING! Those kind of rides don’t grow on trees here in ilsnow land. I was at the right place at the right time. 🙂
Bill Belichick is fond of “looking forward to the next game” whether the Patriots win or lose on Sunday. So, let’s look forward to what’s on our plate.
Right now
Snow pack is 12-18 inches around Indian Lake and Speculator, then ranges from 18 inches to 2+ feet as you push back into Perkins Clearing, Moose River Plains and into the western Adirondacks. We’re sitting pretty for late-December.
Indian Lake Parks and Rec have groomed the local trails, including C8 out toward Cedar River Headquarters and S84 out toward Lake Durant/Blue Mountain Lake.
Snowarriors groomed the Newcomb trail on Tuesday. It hasn’t been plowed in over a week and we’ve had a lot of snow since then.
This picture was staring down the barrel of S86 from Crow Hill Road down toward the Bear Trap Swamp. Not bad eh?
Don’t have direct recon on Speculator yet. But I suspect that Perkins Clearing is good to go from the north end. Remember that you’ll need to use the Southern Perkins Clearing bypass trail to make the direct connect to/ from Speculator. DRAG of Speculator should be doing their magic in Speculator soon, if not already.
You can check the ilsnow.com board for trail reports from fellow riders.
Weekend Outlook
It’s all coming together for a good snowmobiling weekend here in ilsnow land. Grooming and frigid cold should begin to close over most of the mud holes on the narrow woods trails. But you can never completely count out mud holes so early in the snowmobiling season.
Dress for survival this weekend! If you must ride alone, play it close to the vest and stay on heavily-trafficked trails near town so you can walk to help or have a passer-by snowmobiler assist if your snowmobile breaks down. Otherwise, make sure you are sufficiently prepared to stay outdoors for the night.
Look at the forecast for this weekend. It’s no joke with the cold!
Lakes
Yes…it’s going to be brutally cold into the foreseeable future.
Yes…you can ask local ice fisherman for ice thickness.
Yes…you can see if snowmobiles have ridden the lake before you.Â
But it’s up to YOU to decide whether or not to take the risk of riding your snowmobile on the ice. I cannot tell you whether it is safe for you to ride on frozen lakes. It is ALWAYS at your own risk!Â
That’s all I have for now. Go out there and have a great holiday weekend!
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
This report is brought to you by Prospect Point Cottages on Blue Mountain Lake. If you are looking for a quiet and scenic winter getaway, this place is for you with fireplaces, free hot brunch and snowshoes provided. The wintry view of Blue Mountain from across the lake is nothing short of amazing with a fresh mantle of snow!
