Happy New Year !

Not much to report or tell you about.  Forecast is looking good and everyone has been having a fun weekend of riding.  Only complaint I have really heard, is about the temps.  What's wrong with 20 plus below the last few mornings.  It makes the snow crunch when you walk on it.  I guess it can take the fun out of a day of riding if you aren't prepared for it.  But with some extra layers and a few heat packs you can still get out and have fun.  I'd like to wish everyone A Happy and Safe New Year!

Today's Video..............

Are you having fun?

Because just about everyone up here sure is.  Today is a prefect example, of telling how good the riding is, by what you see out front.  After it warmed up some this morning everyone headed out for a day of riding.  It's now 7pm and only a few rooms have returned.  So that's telling me the riding must be pretty good and everyone is having fun.  Like most big weekends, the farther you head out, the better the conditions get.

Today's Video................

Sign says it all...........

Went over to Fastrac last night and a sign on the pump said it all.  High Test gas sold out.  Saw tanker later on giving them a fill up.   The only time of the year you see that sign, is during snowmobile season.  This mornings 26 below made for a slow start of the day.  As there was a few sleds that didn't want to start.  But nothing a hair dryer and a trap couldn't fix.  I'm sure most of you have seen the tracks on Stillwater, going over to six mile road.  Please use caution when thinking about going on the lakes.  This last round of snow is going to slow down the freezing on the lakes.

Today's Video.......

Looks like the old days to me..............

And to think that just four days ago, we had R coming out of the sky and today it's a winter wonder land.  I was putting my money on the R helping things come together and it sure did.  It may have wrecked it for the few that had plans to ride Saturday, but it sure put every thing in place for one heck of a base.  The driveway that I couldn't get to freeze down, now has a solid ice base with a nice covering of snow.  Sorry I didn't get a post up yesterday, but with all the new snow to take care of, I ran out of hours.

Today's Video..........

Update

At 1:40am on 12-26-17 the snow stick is at 2 1/2 feet.  If the lake effect stays in our area till Wednesday morning, like the forecast is predicting.  I can see the snow stick being at the 4 foot mark with no problem.  Headed to bed now and will be back up at 6 to start plowing all over again.

Santa was good to us....We Got Snow !

Today's Video says it all......
l

Been snowing like this for almost two hours.  Won't be long and the two foot mark on the snow stick will be covered.

Merry Christmas !

It's 10:45 pm on Christmas Eve and we are starting to see the first of the snow predicted to bless the area over the next few days.  If the forecast comes true, we will be measuring snow totals by the feet, not inches by the time it ends on Wednesday.  The base is in place and with this new round of snow coming to the area the riding for Christmas week will be the best it's been in many years.  Hope everyone is having a Very Merry Christmas!

Today's Video..............

Cross your fingers..........

So the forecast is looking better than it was.  Yes there is still some R in it for Saturday.  But I'm looking at it this way.   We get snow on Friday and I'm not talking an inch.  Then we get some R to wet it down.  Temps drop back down with another shot of snow late Saturday.  If it all comes together, groomers will be out packing things down and the new snow will have a chance to freeze up with the temps in the teens.  But like always only time will tell.

Today's Video.........

Hope it's...........

Well we have a warm up going on today and I'm hoping it's a short one.  Forecast is calling for the temp to drop and snow later on today, only time will tell.  Snow on the snow stick has settled down to 10 inches as of noon today.

Today's Video.......

Another quiet day...............

Traffic was light today again and in some ways I'm happy it is.  The trails are getting just enough of a work out to settle them in and give the base a chance to set up.  We had snow over night again and we picked up another 4 plus.  Long range forecast is still looking good.  Who knows maybe we'll have good conditions for Christmas week this year.

Today's Video..............

A Few.............

Sled traffic has been very light and there hasn't been many trailers heading into town today.  Which doesn't shock me at all.  With Christmas just ten days away, people are home going to Christmas Parties, doing the family thing and picking up that thing they forgot to get on the last shopping trip.  Forecast is looking good and if it all comes together the riding is going to be great for the upcoming holiday week.

Today's video............

Coming together nicely............

The snow is at the foot mark out front and the temp over the next few days is a high of 8.  Groomers are out packing the trails and there has been next to no sled traffic around.  Which is putting everything in place for the trails to get a change to freeze down and start the base for the season.  The cam is back online at the Rec. Center.  The DSL modem had to be replaced.  Forecast is looking good for the next ten days, so let's hope it stays that way.  Not much else to report at this time. 

Today's Video...........

Better late than never............................

I've been finishing up, on doing things around here, that should of been done some time ago.  But with winter taking it's good old time getting here this year, it was easy to put things off.  Now I'm having the fun of doing things in the cold and snow.  Who knows maybe next year I'll get with the program.    The new snow from yesterday gave the trail crews enough to work with and they went out packing the trails today.  I'm guessing the cold temps settling in later this week will make history of the R we had last week and the base making will begin for the season.

Today's Video..............

Snodeo 2017.............

By what I was told, Snodeo had a good turn out.  It also sounds like the Shoot Out on Saturday may have turned out to be a win win for everyone.  Giving people a full day of things to do on Saturday.   I only have a still pic of the Snodeo, as the internet connection went down Friday afternoon at the Rec. Center and is still out.  Forecast has three active warnings in place for us.  So keep an eye on the cams to see what's happening.

Today's Video............

Won't be the first..............

There's snow in the forecast, but it doesn't like it's going to be much. So it looks like we won't be riding Snodeo this year.  It's not the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last.  But that doesn't mean there won't be fun things going on in the area over the weekend.  The Shoot Out is on Saturday this year, so that and the goings on at North Street, will make for a full day of things to enjoy.

Today's Video............

Happy Thanksgiving !

I'd like to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving Holiday!

Well the cold is starting to set in, as you can see in the below pics. Gray Lake , Stillwater and it even looks like there may be a little ice on the river, on the left side of the picture behind the weeds. But the forecast looks like a roller coaster ride, when it comes to the temps over the next ten days.   Eat lots, nap well and have a great day!

One Day.............

Well it looks like today is going to be a warm one and then it's back to winter temps and weather.  I'm hoping this will start getting some frost in the ground and setting things up for the snow to stick that much faster when it gets here.  There's a problem with the internet connection at the top of McCauley and I'm working on getting it fixed.  So until then, the cams on top and the trail cam will be on and off.

Today's Video.............

Four Weeks...............

Only four weeks till the trails open for the 2017-2018 season.  We had a warm fall season and that brought more people to the area than normal.  Which helped make up for the very wet cool summer that we had this year.  So what's it going to be like this year?  Your guess is good as any ones.  I have seen a few bands of lake effect on radar already, but nothing that made it to the ground.  Ten day forecast is showing night time lows in the teens a few nights.  So winter is just around the corner.  Don't forget Nov. 15th is the cut off for pre season permits.

Today's Video............

Last one of the season.............

At this point, even I have given up hope on getting in that last ride.  There is a chance of snow on Friday, but with the way things have been melting down, we would need a good dump to get enough snow cover to ride again.  So now it's time to change hats and start working on getting things spruced up for the summer season. Thanks for watching this season and hope you had a good one.

Last Video of the Winter Season..............

Seven, Two, None

The last of my diehard riders, packed it in this morning and headed for home.  So Tuesday I had seven rooms of sledders, Wednesday two and today I'm down to none.   They said it's getting thin and with the sun baking things off day after day, it was time to pack it in.  After last weeks snow, we would of been set till the closing of the gates, if it would of stayed cold, like it has been the last few days.  So it looks like it's over, but nothing is for sure, till they swing them shut.

Today's Video.................

Presidents week all over..............

It's hard to believe, that not even a week ago we got almost three feet of fresh snow and today it's almost all gone.  It's a replay of Presidents week all over again, but this time there's no hope of coming back from it and getting in another ride for the season.  I do have a few diehards in, giving it the old college try, but I don't think even they'll be around much longer, at the rate the sun is doing a number on things.

Today's Video............

It may look pretty..........

We haven't seen overcast skies in a few days and it may look pretty, but the sun hasn't been doing us any favors.  Night time lows have been freezing things back down, but you can only have so many days of this before things start going down high fast.  Either way, it looks like the end will be coming again, by the end of the week.  So if you have any thoughts of getting in that last ride, do it soon.  It isn't great, but you can still get in some seat time.

Today's Video................

Roads are toast...............

The March sun is doing it's thing and the roads are toast from it.  But the trails are holding so far.  They did get soft this afternoon as the temp went up into the high 30's.  But the night time lows have been freezing them back down.  Even with the roads being toast, everyone is enjoying there trip north.  Looks like the weather is going to be a day by day watch this week.

Today's Video...............

Bonus weekend of fun.............

And to think, just last weekend was Snofest with no snow and most thought it was done and over for the season.  Today riders are out enjoying a bonus weekend of fun and maybe another one next weekend.    Groomer are out and they are working the heck out of the main trails, getting them frozen down, so they'll hold up better to the weekend traffic.  By what I'm hearing, there are still some trails out there, that no one has been on yet and the town report is warning you about getting stuck.  We are into spring conditions, with the sun high in the sky.  But it looks like we'll be in the clouds tomorrow, so that will help keep things frozen down. 

Today's Video............

Don't do it alone............

Groomers are out, but they can only go so fast when working with this much snow.  So it's slow going and I'm hoping they'll have all the trails broken open for the weekend.  If they don't and you get a brain storm to try going down one, don't do it alone.  It's no fun digging a sled out by yourself.  I buried my sled in the front yard yesterday, trying to pack it down for parking.  I gave up on trying to get it out under it's own power and hooked the truck to it, came right out.

Today's Video.............

Guess what.........

They got it right this time.  We have two plus feet of fresh snow and maybe more to come on Wednesday.  I'm sure some of you thought, I fell off the face of the earth.   Because I didn't post anything all day Tuesday.  When the snow first started it was an everyday event.  But early afternoon it kicked into high gear and all I did from around 2pm on, was plow and snow blow.  If the long range forecast holds true, we'll be riding till closing day this year after all.

Today's Video.............

May just yet...................

A winter storm watch has been put in place for our area. Are we going to really see anything from it? Only time will tell, but I may just yet, get to the thousand mile mark for this year. I can tell you this for sure. After having the mild temps our the last week, the below zero and thirty five below wind chill sure gets your attention. Cross your fingers and keep an eye on the cams. We may get in that last ride yet. 

Today's Video..............

Sorry to say........

Hard to believe it's Snofest weekend and another season is coming to an end. Yes, riding conditions went away a few weeks ago. But we all try to keep our hopes up, that we'll get in just one more ride before it's all over. But I'm sorry to say it doesn't look very promising at this point and this Snofest won't be going down in the record books as one to remember, when it comes to riding conditions.

Today's Video...........

Quiet weekend............

As you'll see in the video there was some sleds at Stillwater yesterday afternoon and I saw three getting gas in the morning.  But besides that there wasn't much sleds action going on around town this weekend.  If we had been blessed with some snow, it would of been a great weekend for riding with low temps to hold the base together.  I thought McCauley would of been busy yesterday, as they still have a good amount of base on the mountain.  But it was pretty quiet up there also, I guessing the cold temps scared people away.

Today's Video..................

Heard it more than.............

Have gotten many calls today wondering if we got enough snow to ride yet.  I'm sure in some minds we have, but not by me.  If it snows all night, like it has most of the afternoon, we could be riding by morning.  But don't go by the forecast, as it's calling for less than an inch today and we're at 2 to 3 now.  One thing I have heard more than once over the last few days.  Everyone feels cheated by the way it all came to an end so fast.  Most years you can see it coming and get in one more ride before it's over, but not this year.

Today's Video............

Six Below..........

Not sure if you're watching the forecast.  But they are calling for 6 below on Saturday.  Not that it's going to do anything for us, besides burn up fuel.  Then it's back to the warm stuff again.  Thanks to everyone for watching this season and your posts.  It sure wasn't like the old days, but it sure was better than last year.  I'm not giving up hope just yet, I'm crossing my fingers for that one last storm.  I really would like to hit that thousand mile mark.

Today's Video............

Got snow.............

I forgot to include that we got 2 inches of snow Saturday into Sunday.  It was good wet stuff, but it didn't hold up very well to today's temps and sun.  I also did a little more research on the temps over the last few years.  Because I compared this year to 2015, which isn't really all that fair.  Because 2015 was a very cold winter.  I looked at 2014 and 2016 and here is what I found.

                 2014                             2016
Jan.            13.5                             17.7
Feb.           14.2                             20.2

So even 2016, which was the worst winter I have seen since living in Old Forge, was colder than this years 23 degree average temp.

Today's Video.........

Interesting weather..........

We've had a full mixture of weather today.  Warm this morning, heavy R and wind early this afternoon and now we are getting snow with some thunder and lighting mixed in.  It will be interesting to see what we have in the morning.  Because if it snows all night, like it is right now, we could see a good amount by morning.

Today's Video..............

Two for one..............

I skipped yesterday as there wasn't much to report or look at.  Not that there is much more today.  But didn't want to skip to many days , so here's a two for one video.  Oh by the way.....I did get some riding in today.  The cam on top of McCauley went down.  So I took a sled to the top after they shut down for the day.  Conditions are soft but still fun riding.

Today's Video............

Limited but still............

I have a few rooms in and they went out riding today.  Reports I'm getting is limited conditions, but still having fun.  It's funny how everyone has a different few on what they are willing to ride on to get in some seat  time.  But it looks like things won't be holding up much longer with more warm temps headed our way and maybe some showers. 

Today's Video..........

Enjoy.............

I hoping we get to see and enjoy conditions like this again this year,  but only time will tell.

Today's Video..............

Did some research............

I wasn't shocked by how fast the snow settled down when the warm up hit us.  As the one to two feet of new snow we received over the last week or so hadn't ever been melted down.  But what did shock me was how fast the base softened up.  So I started checking on something and here is what I came up with.  It has been a very mild winter when it comes to night time lows and I think that is the reason why things softened up so fast.  There is no good frost in the ground and the base is getting hit from both sides by warmth.   The parking lot out back is melted down to the grass in one area and a guest pulling out this morning put ruts in the yard.....no frost.  I compared 2015 to this year, as we all know 2016 wasn't anything to talk about.
                   
                      2015                          2017
                  Avg. Temp                 Avg. Temp
Jan                   8                                23                        
Feb                  6                                23

Jan and Feb of 2015 at least half of the night time lows dipped below zero and I'm talking 10 to 20 below.  This Jan. we had fours nights below zero, one being 16 below and the other three had an avg of 5 below.  Feb. so far we have had only one night and that went to 1 below....big deal.

Today's Video...........

36 Hours..........

We just got below freezing this morning. But not long enough for it to slow up the melt down.  It's sad to think that just 36 hours ago it was 13 degrees and the best conditions of the season.  I hoping this isn't the end of the riding season for us.  As I'm close to the thousand mile mark and I'd like to hit it.  March can be a great month, with it's wet heavy snow.  So don't put your sled away just yet.

Today's Video...........

Hours.................

We woke up this morning and the temp was11.  By mid afternoon our temp was in the 40's, and it changed things in a matter of hours.  We went from good conditions this morning to fair this afternoon.  It looks like temps will drop back down over night and the next two days we will be back to winter temps and weather.  But after that things may go down hill even more.  So enjoy what we have, because who knows what things will be like by next weekend.

Today's Video...........

May not always..............

The saying I always include in the end of the videos may not always be true.  You'll see what I'm mean in the end of today's video.  It's going to be a big weekend with the holiday and area events going on.  So be safe and ride with care.

Today's Video........
 

Better late than never..............

I was doing so good today and the next thing I knew it was 10pm and I hadn't posted yet.  So better late than never.  Everyone is reporting the same thing,  conditions are good and they are having a blast.  The guests that have been in all week, really don't want to leave in the morning.  But the town is all booked up so they have no choice but to go home.

Today's Video.........

More today...............

The snow machine is still turned on and we saw more today.  All said and done we picked up 4 to 6 inches of good heavy wet snow and  it looks like we may see even more into Thursday.  There has been more traffic around today than we see most weekdays. Funny how good conditions bring people to town....go figure.

Today's Video.................

I'm hoping..............

The weather was quiet today and it looks like more snow is headed our way for Wednesday.  We'll take whatever they want to send our way, as long as it's frozen.  Well maybe not freezing R that causes damage. Not really crazy about the warm temps for next week and I'm hoping we don't see them.  I'm reallllly hoping we don't see any R if we do get the warm up.

Today's Video.................

One two punch...........

Great snow from the storm yesterday and lake effect today.  So we got a one two punch in the last 24 hours that has brought the conditions to the best they have been all season so far.  You don't want to miss out on these conditions.  Heck I'd say it's to the point of being a sick day in my book.

Today's Video..........

Shouldn't be anyone ........

Forecast is looking great for the week and with all the new snow we are getting today.  There shouldn't be anyone wearing out slide rails this week and if you do, you're doing something wrong.  It was a normal weekend around town and everyone seemed to be happy with the conditions.  If you're able to get away this week do so.  As things aren't going to get any better than they are right now.

Today's Video..............

Must be the week......

This afternoon I was off to the top of McCauley Mtn. to reset the cams up there.  So this must be the week for camera shut downs, as three of them had a problem in the last four days.  Looks like another great week of riding is coming our way.  So hope you have some plans to get some seat time in.

Today's Video.............

No Post Thursday...........

Sorry about not getting a post up yesterday.  Had to shot out and fix another cam last night and I thought that was more important than getting a post up.  Forecast is looking good and we should have another great week of riding coming up next week.  The R cured the soft trail conditions and things have frozen back down very nice.  We did have some glare ice around, but the snow we received  the last two mornings has cured that also.

Today's Video.............

Good and the bad...............

As most of you know we had R over night and it did a number on the roads.  That is the bad and I'm sure most of you aren't shocked by that.  The good is the trails did much better and the R didn't do them in. With the low temps over the next few nights, things will be freezing back down for the weekend.  I'm heading out to see if I can get the trail cam back online.   Best I can tell it's a camera issue and I have to take a monitor out with me to check it.  

Today's Video........

Trail camera

Something happened to the trail camera over night and I'm not able to fix it by remote control.  I'm not sure if this had anything to do with it, but the power did go out during the night.  I'll get out to it as soon as I can and try to get it back online.  Why is it these things never happen when you're sitting around bored?  They always seem to happen when you're flat out with other things going on.

Needed some..............

We started seeing sleet and freezing R mid afternoon and as hard as it may be to believe, we really did need some.  The snow wasn't packing on the trails at all and this should fix things up.  I'm just hoping we don't see to much R and have things go down hill.  There is allot of new snow out there, so it should be able to suck up a good amount of R.  It looks like we should be back below freezing by late morning Wednesday.

Today's Video................

I shouldn't have..............

Like most days around here when we have good snow on the ground it can be crazy and yesterday wasn't any different.  By the time I got around to doing the video, it was time to going out for a ride.  So I figured I'd do it when I got back.  Well I guess I shouldn't have sat down to watch the news first, because the next thing I knew it was 3:30am.  So pretend it's yesterday when you're watching this one.

Today's Video.................

Better late than never.............

I'm a day late, so I hope it still counts.  Happy 25th. Birthday Tanner ! !

Just a video................

Today's Video...........

Not sure.................

It's been a crazy busy weekend that is for sure and I'm not sure if anyone is even at home watching this, with the amount of sleds that have been running around town today.  Most weekends the groomers are able to keep up with the traffic.  But it sounds like this may not be the case today.  However I haven't had anyone say they wished they had stayed home.

Today's Video..............

Did you hear it?

I made a mistake in the video today....did you hear it?  It's going to be a crazy busy weekend here in the north country.  If you aren't here make sure you keep an eye on the cams to see all the action.

Today's Video.............

Who would of thought.....

There is a lake effect warning in place for us till Saturday evening and it looks like maybe a foot or two more may be headed our way.  Who would of thought that conditions would be this good, after the warm up and now getting even better by the day.  For those that will be in the area this weekend.  Be careful, as one to two feet of lake effect can hide something that you may not want to find.

Please Note:  The area has received a good amount of snow over the last week and this new snow has never seen any R or has melted and then refrozen.  So your sled isn't going to stick in the corners and your braking distance is going to be increased.  Yes I know most of you know this.  But if this helps just one person from going off the trail or rear ending someone it worked.    

Today's Video............

It reminds me................

We woke up this morning to a lake effect snow band set up on top of us and it stayed around most of the day.  The National Weather Service called early in the afternoon to see how much snow we had gotten so far and the said we may see another event when the next cold front moves in.  So we'll have to see what happens.  But I can tell you this.....It's reminding me of the old days with lake effect and cold here in Old Forge all the time.

Midnight Update:  Lake effect back moved back in around 11:30 and it looks like the state has two plow trucks running on 28 tonight.  Most days they only run one in the area.

Today's Video......

It doesn't..........

Went out riding Tuesday night and it doesn't get any better than it is right now.  So if you don't have any seat time planned, you may want to think about it.  Because who knows how long these conditions will be around.  Bill and I went to Pine Tree, we left at 6:30 and was back at 10:45.  Did 87 miles and sat at Pine a little over an hour.

Today's Video................

Making up..................

There was more people in town today than I thought there would be.  So I'm guessing everyone is trying to make up for the last two weeks we lost.  Slow and steady guests returned from a day of riding this afternoon and everyone is saying the same thing, conditions are great.  The high mileage award today goes to Paul and Sue at 184 miles and they aren't a couple of twenty year olds zipping around at a hundred miles an hour.

Today's Video..............

Ghost to crazy..........

Well we went from a ghost town to down right crazy in one day.  Amazing what a little snow will do around here.  Looks like a great week of riding will be had in the north country this week, so don't miss out on it.

Today's Video............

Out in full force...................

Well we didn't see any big number snow amounts here in Old Forge yet.  But the warning is in effect till 7pm Sunday night.  So anything is possible when it comes to lake effect snow.  The groomers are out in full force this weekend and they are doing there best to keep up with the amount of sleds that are in town.  I'd say we've seen 4 to 6 inches so far.  No not big numbers but enough to put us back in riding conditions.

Today's Video..............

Don't want to hear any................

The lake effect machine is fired up and it looks like it's going to be around for a few days.  Who knows maybe we'll see the one to two feet they are talking about.  Trails conditions are improving by the hour and this up coming week is going to be great.  So I don't want to hear any excuses that you didn't get to ride, just get up here and enjoy!

Today's Video............

I said it..........

After I got the video all said and done I realized  said the R word, sorry.  But I wasn't going to do it over as it's 9:30 now and I still have things to get done for the day yet.  I got part of the cams back online after the power outage today and I'm hoping to get the rest of them back up in the morning.  But I can't promise you anything, as it will be crazy around here tomorrow, with the fresh snow and everyone looking to get checked in and out riding.

Today's Video.................

It's coming together.......

Forecast is looking better by the hour and things are coming together for the weekend.  We had light snow all day, but it really didn't amount to anything.  The temps are low enough that things are starting to freeze back down and besides that there isn't much to report. 

Today's Video...............

It's a long one.......

If a picture is worth a thousand words.....what's a video worth?    Right now I'd give the conditions a fair to poor rating and the reason for that is because everything is soft right now.  But if we get the temps and snow they are calling for, I'd say conditions should improve for the weekend.  There has been no sled traffic around town today and I only saw four sleds out on the trails when I was doing the video.  Hope you enjoy it, because it's a long one.

Today's Video.....

It's coming..........

The temp has dropped back down below freezing and the snow is on it's way.  Northeasters can be very good to us, as they can produce good packing snow and lots of it fast. But they also can give us R, it all depends on the track of the storm and that can't be told till it's all said and done.  Right now it looks like we are going to see all snow.  So keep an eye on the cams to see what's going on.

Today's Video............

It's about time............

It looks like the warm temps will be coming to an end and winter should be returning by Monday night.  It's not to soon, because I don't think we could endure another day of temps like we had today.  You would of thought it was late April not January today when you went outside. I'm hoping we see the sleet that's in the forecast, as that will help get things back in shape much faster.

Today's Video...............

One more..........

The forecast looks like we'll have one more day of this stuff and then I'm hoping it's back to something that looks like winter weather.  Because we aren't going to be able to take to many more days of this before we'll be down to zip.  Yesterday I commented that it's a ghost town around here, well it wasn't any better today.  Even the parking lot over at Fastrac is empty.

Today's Video..........

That was short lived.............

Well the good looking forecast from yesterday was short lived, it's bad to cross your fingers it doesn't happen.  There are few people around town making the best of it.  But beside them it's a ghost town around here today.  It's sad, as this weekend is the Poker Run for the Inlet Barnstormers Snowmobile Club.  They put a lot of time and effort into setting that up.

Today's Video..........

I'm liking it even better...............

Today was pretty much a repeat of yesterday, light snow and right at freezing temps.  The base is getting a little soft, but it's still holding.  All we need to do is get through a few more days of this warm stuff and the forecast is getting better by the day for next week. There's no question about it, this weekend is going to be a bust for riding.  So if you have something fun planned share it with everyone.

Today's Video.............

I'm liking it................

Yesterday turned out much better than the forecast first called for.  Now the long range is looking better with cooler temps and some white stuff mixed in.  I'm liking what I'm seeing and who knows.  By next week we could be out riding again, as we really don't need all that much to turn things around.  The ice base is holding and Thursday night looks like the temp will drop down enough to freeze things up pretty good.

Today's Video............

Did 85.........

Our ride last night didn't go as planned, but we still put on 85 miles.  We headed to Brantingham and went in the back way through the Flats.  There was two areas with wash outs, that we had to go around and that was OK.  As someone else had already made a path in the woods to do it.  But then we encountered a hill that wasn't very nice to one of the sleds that wasn't studded.  No one got hurt and everything is still in one piece.  It just really took the fun out of the ride for the night.  Around Old Forge the ice base seemed to be broken up much more than over towards Brantiingham.  Weather has been better than first predicted and I'm crossing my fingers that we may even see some snow over the next few days.  May not be enough to put us back into riding conditions, but it's better than having it go the other way.

Today's Video............

The calm.............

You hear people say, the calm before the storm.  Well we sure have the calm, it's so calm, you would think it's more like April 15, not January 15th.  There is no one in town and of the seven times the phone rang today, only one call was for motel information.  Forecast is changing around some, but nothing so far that's going to make any difference, at least not yet.  I'll keep you updated with any changes worth talking about.  As they now have posted a Winter Weather Advisory for us.  I'm headed out of here at 6 for a ride.  Can't miss out on what we got, as who knows how long it will be before I get some seat time again.


Today's Video.............

One more day...............

Not much weather wise to report.  We had a few flurries in the air this morning but they gave way to clear skies the rest of the day.  Forecast is still the same, so it looks like one more day of riding and things will be going down hill fast from there.  So if you're close by and get away for the day.  You better enjoy what we have, because who knows when we'll be riding again.

Today's Video............

Who would of know.........

A couple of rooms just returned from riding and I was a little nervous about asking them how their day went.  Well they went to Trailside in Brantingham and had no problems in getting there.  They said some of the trails have ice hard pack here and there, but over all they had a great day of riding and have seen it worse.  The end of ten mile crossing wasn't the best.  So on the return they went out the back of Trailside and came back that way.  They said traffic was light and everyone was taking it easy, I'm guessing because of the ice. So it sounds like the few that took the chance, are getting in a fun weekend of riding.  Hard to say if the conditions would of held up under a full weekend of traffic, but with the amount of people that are in town they won't have to worry about it.

Today's Video..............

Two out of three...............

Well we didn't pull it off, like we did the last two weeks.  We only saw a dusting of snow after the warm up and R.  Things are freezing back down and there will be some riding this weekend.  But you'll be limited to trail riding only, as the roads are toast at this point.

Today's Video..........

Hope for the best..........

It's all going to hinge on what we see over night when the cold front passes.   I'm crossing my fingers that it's enough to get things frozen back down and rideable for the weekend.  Yes conditions may not be what we've seen so far this season, which has been really good.  But after looking at the long range forecast, you better ride it while we got it.  Because by next week it could be down right ugly around here.  So take a look at the cams in the morning and go from there.  It won't be the first time things have changed overnight.

Today's Video..........

No 8 - 12 for us..........

When it was all said and done we saw about two inches this morning.  There was just about anything you could think of for a winter mix coming from the sky last night.  It was a good packing mixture, but it wasn't the 8 - 12 that was in the forecast.  I was really hoping to see big number snow, so the R coming in Thursday had somewhere to go and not melt anything.  So like always it's going to be a waiting game for this upcoming weekend, cross your fingers.

Today's Video............

No question about it............

Well the plan changed last night, went out for four hours, did 75 miles and we ate at Pine Tree not Raquette Lake.  I'm headed out riding tonight again, as there's no question about it, conditions don't get much better than they are right now.  It started snowing around one this afternoon and at 5:30 the wind and snow is cranking up.  It'll be interesting to see what we get from this one.

Today's Video..........

Mixing it up...........

Headed out for a ride tonight and I'm thinking it's a pasta night in Raquette Lake.  But nothing is for sure till we get there.  Won't be the first time we headed for one place and stop somewhere else.  Wednesday night has always been the night to go out riding.  But the lady that helps me with the office has a full schedule this week, so I'm mixing it up some and heading out tonight.

Today's Video...........

Cross your fingers..............

Right now you couldn't ask for better riding conditions than we have.  I'm just hoping that the mid week mess doesn't come true and we see frozen stuff coming from the sky and not R.  Town seems quiet tonight after the crazy weekend we just had.

Today's Video.............

Making up..............

With the amount of people that are in town this weekend, I'm guessing everyone is trying to make up for lost time from last season.  The last picture uploaded at Stillwater today showed a full parking lot.  I'm not sure what's going on with the webcam up there, but I'm not able to log into it and it stopped uploading this afternoon at 12:27.   I'll give Joe a call after things quiet down and see if we can't get it back on line soon.  Brenda, Jenny and everyone else that inquired about no post yesterday.  Sorry, but I ran out of hours in the day and didn't get to it.

Today's Video..........

I called that one.............

In yesterdays report I stated that the lake effect band was starting to come together north of us.  Well it sure did, but the thing never really shifted much all night or today.  So we really didn't see much from it, but we did get enough to cover the slush and freeze everything back down.  Groomers are out and fun is being had by all, except for those that are stuck at home watching on the internet.

Today's Video..............

Winter has returned.............

Take note of the metal roof in the beginning of the video today.  It shows that the warm up and R wasn't all that much to talk about, because the roof didn't even slide.  Forecast is looking great for the upcoming week and if we get just the bottom numbers of what they are calling for, conditions are going to be good .  Radar at 8:30 pm looks like the bands of lake effect are starting to come together north of us and not be all over the place like it was this afternoon.

Today's Video............

Quik Update...

This morning it almost looked like flurries in the air, but when you went outside it was a drizzle.  However at 10 am there is no question about it, we now have light snow in the air.  Forecast is still talking about a good amount of snow over the next few days.  If it happens we'll be in good shape for the weekend.  More later today.

1:50pm Update  Just like someone flipped a switch the snow has started and with it came the wind.

 

May not always be true......

My saying at the end of my videos may not always be true and you'll see what I mean in today's video.  Also I stated the base went down and inch or two today.  Let me be more clear on that.  The snow pack in the front yard has gone down an inch or two.  But the hard pack base in the driveway and I'd say the trails really hasn't taken much of a hit besides the loose snow on top melting.  Just like last week, if we get the snow they are calling for, this will be a short lived bump in the season.

Today's Video................

Headed out...........

Most people cleared out today, as they have to be back to work tomorrow.  So traffic has been light and not much else to report.  The weather still isn't looking good for Tuesday and I'll keep you updated as thing happen.  But for now I'm headed out for a ride.  Don't want to miss out on the good conditions we have before the ugly hits.

Today's Video......

Short lived....................

Well there's still some R in the forecast for Tuesday.  But as long as it's short lived it may do us more good than not.  This upcoming week is always slow after the holidays.  So with that in mind, the trails will get a chance to freeze up after the R and give us a better base than we already have.   I guess I was right about this one.  As I'm putting this post together Inlet Fire Dept is going to a call for a sled in the water. You'll understand more what I'm talking about after you watch today's video.

Today's Video...........