Off just a little bit.......

Well we didn't get the 8 to 12 inches of snow the forecast called for, but there is a good side to that.  We didn't get the precipitation in the form of R either, because if we did, there most likely wouldn't be anything left to even ride on.  In the last 24 hours we picked up a few inches of new snow.  This site http://www.wunderground.com/webcams/oldforge/2/show.html   records the pictures from the motel webcam and you can see that the snow level hasn't drop all that much over the last few days.  You can also look at time lapsed video from the webcam here also.   So on the meat scale of trail conditions, I'd give them a hamburger, cude steak rating right now, because they are soft from the warm temps and when they freeze back down, the rating will improve.   If we get the warm temps predicted for the end of next week, conditions may turn to Scrapple real fast.

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Don't give up hope yet...............

Well we haven't seen the 8 to12 that was called for yet.  We did have an inch of sleet overnight and this morning we didn't see much of anything coming out of the sky, just temps in the mid 30 range.  Mid afternoon we did have a short shot of light R and at 5:30 it's snowing.  Forecasts are all calling for temps to drop, so like always it just a wait and see.  The snow level really didn't drop that much today, but it did get soft.  So when the cold settles back in, things should freeze up nice.

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Get a dancing ! !

If everything comes together and we get what the forecast is calling for, fun is going to be had by many this week.  The groomers have been out and they have things back in shape from last weekend.  This new round of snow is going to make things sweet.  There has been some traffic around today, but not like it has been the last few weeks.  But like I said the other day, to many the season is over for one reason or another.  So for those of you that are willing to give March riding a try, you may be shocked how nice it can be.

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March is just days away........

We had snow in the air most of the morning and we saw the sun some this afternoon.  The snow really didn't add up to much, maybe an inch at most.  Wednesday is going to be interesting, by the way it looks and then winter for the rest of the week.  On the webcam page there is a temp/clock image above the picture.  The feed for it comes from a weather station at the info center.  But the weather station hasn't been uploading the way it should and then the temp gets picked up from other locations.  Sometimes it uses Matts Draft House in Inlet and other times it could be from a Rome, NY weather station.  I'm working on correcting this problem and hope to have it fixed soon.

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It's been snowing.........

Yesterday we had some snow during the day and early evening it was just on the edge of being R.  That type of snow that is super wet and we even had a mist for a short time.   Today there has been snow in the air, just about all day and we have gotten an inch, maybe two so far.  This week isn't looking to bad.  The biggest thing I'm  worried about, is the days when the sun is going to be out.  But by the way the forecast looks they are going to be few.

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For some it's over................

Just like Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer for many.  The last weekend in February is the end of the snowmobile season for others.  Is the season over?  No, because you can have some of the best trail riding in the next few weeks.

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Last weekend of February........

It has been nice to hear guests are riding in all directions these past few days.  Unlike last year when you where limited on where you could go.  Don't forget this weekend is the ice harvest in Raquette Lake.  If you haven't ever seen this, you may want to check it out.

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Doesn't get much better.............

With the last round of snow and the colds temps we have right now, conditions can't get much better.  Just had a guest return from his ride for the day. He left this morning around 8:30 and got back at 5.  He and his son put on 170 miles, they did a loop over through  Piseco Lake area.  For those of you that saw the post about the first annual big moose fire dept's chicken bbq fund raiser at Beaver River.  I'd like to pass the word along that they sold out and they said "Thanks" to everyone that stopped by.

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Got a good foot...........

Between the snow from the storm front yesterday and the lake effect last night and today, I'd say we got a good foot of new snow.  Went for a ride to Raquette Lake last night and the snow that was coming down was very wet.  It was freezing to the shields and the windshield on the sled.  A few of the rooms hooked up with the Inlet Barnstormers Club today and I think they went for a ride over to the hill.   Based on what guests where saying as they checked in today.  Lake effect bands where south of Old Forge also and gave them a good dumping of snow to. 

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Snowed all afternoon.......

We dodged the R thing and have had snow all afternoon, with 3 to 5 inches on the ground at 4:45pm.    Those of you who are waiting for conditions to get better, better not wait to much longer.  The days are getting longer and I really don't think it's going to get much better than it is right now.  Heading out for a ride later on and by what everyone has said, the conditions are good.  I'll let you know in the next post.

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It's a wait and see.........

For the weather Tuesday afternoon , but after that it's winter all week long.  One of our guests went out this morning around 9 and was back between 3and 4, he put on 130 miles.  The only other person I have seen back yet, put on 70 miles.  Everybody else is still out having fun.   A group that checked in this afternoon is headed to Raquette Lake for pasta night at The Tap Room.  By the way it sounds the portions are pretty big.  Because Skip takes Tupper Ware along and brings home the leftovers. 

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Upcoming week ..........

is looking pretty good.  Yes, Tuesday might have some mixed weather.  But it's going to very short lived and the rest of the week is winter all the way.  This upcoming weekend is the ice harvest in Raquette Lake.  For those of you that haven't every seen this, it's pretty neat to watch.

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Cold tonight............

Traffic has been heavy today.  But like most President's Weekends, it appears to be alot of families.  What does that have to do with anything?  Alot, when it comes to how make wear and tear the trails will get and families aren't out on the trails late.  Now figure in the below zero temps over the next two nights.  All factors that will help with the trails holding up better over this long holiday weekend.

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Holiday Weekend is Here......

Traffic is going to be heavy this weekend, by the amount of calls I have gotten, from people looking for rooms.  I'm hoping two things are going to help keep things together. The night time low temps and the lakes are frozen, so that will take some of the traffic off of the trails.  It looks like the DEC is done with the lime project at Stillwater.  Be careful this weekend!

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Light traffic, Great trails.........

Went up trail 1 to Brantingham cutoff trail and then went through confusion flats over to Pine Tree.  All in good shape except the upper part of 1.  Brantingham trails where in the best shape I have seen them in sometime.  On return we went on 1, 2, 29, 9, 8, 3, 38, 83 and some of the small loop trails and all where in good shape. 

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Headed out again..........

I'm planning on heading out tonight again for some more seat time.  Yes I know...two nights in a row.  But the conditions are just to good to pass up.  I just have to wait for some of the guests to come back and see who wants to go out for some more riding.  Last night traffic was very light and I don't think we passed more than 12 sleds in 55 miles.  We lucked out today, because we didn't see the sun at all and had light snow in the air most of the  day.  It's getting to that time of the year, the days are getting longer and when the sun come out it melts things off really fast.  Hope you enjoy todays video, it's something a little different.

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Heading out...........

I'm heading out for a ride with some of the boys staying here at the motel.  The lake effect band, that gave us our snow today has shifted south and I was told that Raquette Lake got close to a foot today also.  Not much else to report, besides poeple are having fun.

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So far..........

So good.  We got up to 38 today, but we did dodge the R just about all day.  At 6:30 there is some R coming down, but it's not very heavy.  But on the bright side the temps have dropped 4 degrees in an hour.  So my guess would be the R will be turning back to snow very soon.  All the forecasts are calling for snow tonight.  It's just a matter of how much.  Let me update this at 6:40.  Winds have picked up and it is back to snow!  Hows that saying go...If you don't like the weather in Old Forge...wait five minutes it will change.

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Could make it better.........

The mixed bag of weather that will be in the area on Monday could make things even better.  Just as long as we don't get to much R and most of the stuff falling from the sky is frozen.  But I do have to say, that this new snow has frozen up pretty tight, all on it's own.

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Old Forge, New York Snowmobile Trail Report

I'm guessing that conditions aren't all that bad.  Because everyone left this morning and very few of them have returned yet at 4pm.  The guests that have returned come back about this time of the day, even when conditions are perfect.  It's my understanding the groomers are out in full force and I am sure this new snow is making their life alot easier.  The camera at Nelson's Cottages is back online and I saw a few sleds getting off the lake this afternoon..  There was a problem with the DSL and I had to reset some of the settings to get it back online.  http://www.nelsonscottages.com/webcam/ 

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Been snowing all day...........

It's has been snowing all day and we have gotten 4 inches so far at 6:30 pm.  The storm coming up the coast hasn't started to give us it's snow yet.  This will be wet snow with good packing properties.

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Mid Week Fun !

Some of our guests hooked up with one of the local clubs this week and went on a ride up to Indian Lake.  By what they told me this is something they do twice a week and try to head to somewhere different on each trip.  If anyone is interested, drop me an email and I'll get more information for you.

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As for the storm...............

Trust  me on this one, after watching many NE storms come and go.  It's all a guess on who gets what.  Because 60 miles one way or another can make a hugh difference on who gets hit.  There was one storm they predicted feet for us and all we saw was a few inches, 50 miles east of us got the a foot, go figure.

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Headed out for a ride......

Traffic has been light all day.  Forecast is calling for snow the next few days.  So slip on those dancing shoes and get those feet a moving.  Not much else is going on.  I'm heading out in a few for a ride.  Not sure where we are headed to yet.  I'll be able to give you more info on what I see later.

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Not much to report............

What can I tell you that you don't already know.  Some of the trails are good and some are thin.  But we have something to ride on and that's more than alot of places have.  Just had a guest come back from putting on 125 miles for the day, so far.  He said he has seen it worse over the years and is headed back out after he has something to eat.  Temps are looking good for the week, now all we need is to get some white stuff to go with them.

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Not one single guest.......

Came into the office this weekend and said they wished they had stayed home.  I'm  sure you can find some trails that are down right ugly and then there are trails that aren't all that bad.   Can we use some more snow?  Sure we can, but I don't think it's down to dirt everywhere either.  Let's hope the next few days bring us a nice new coating of snow and fun will be had by all.  It all comes down to what you are looking for in riding conditions.

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Traffic is light this weekend......

Which is working out for the best, the way I see it.  Because I don't know how long the trails would of held up with alot of traffic.  But then I didn't think they where going to be as good as they are.  Everybody took off this morning for a day of riding and no one has come back yet at 4pm.

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Sometimes it doesn't take much!

Lake effect dropped 6 to 8 inches yesterday and it looks like it will be passing by us tonight again.  How much will we get tonight, your guess is as good as anyones.  It all adds up in the end and that's what counts.  So how are the trails?  By the feedback I have gotten this afternoon, better than I thought they would be.  Yes there are some wet spots, but why wouldn't there be after all the R we had on Wednesday night into Thursday morning.  The thousand dollar question is, will the trails hold through the weekend.  It all depends on how people respect them.  If they are ridden hard, I think it will show very quickly.

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