Conditions still marginal

It has been snowing for the past week, but only light flurries on most days.  Our trail system has a trace to 10" of snow with little to no base.  As usual, trails in higher elevations have the most snow, and there is still grass showing in the lower elevations.  Not many sleds have been out and there has been no grooming activity since January.  It is what it is....

Some riding available....

Despite cold weather and daily "snow showers", trails in higher elevations such as Hammond Hill and Virgil only have up to 9" of fluff.  Lower elevations like Dryden and Caroline have 1-3" with grass blades still showing on many lawns and fields.  There is no base anywhere, so it is rocky and rough.  Diehards, not willing/able to trailer north to Tug Hill (where there are feet of fresh snow) could trailer to HH or Virgil and get some local miles, but we don't recommend it.  The 10-day forecast is showing a warming trend (upper 30's), so it does not look good for us for a while.

Not enough snow...

We got 6-10” (depending on elevation) on Friday night.  There is enough to ride, but it isn’t great.  We need a lot more snow in order to get the groomers out.  Unfortunately it is supposed to get up to 40F and rain tomorrow.

Trails still closed

It is cold, but with only a dusting to 2" on the ground we need to respect land owners wishes and stay off the trails until conditions improve.

Water holes and Trees down

We are still trying to figure out how to get the groomer across this (pictured) nasty water hole and over towards Groton and Cortland.  Sleds have been going a bit west of this location and are able to get through, but the hill is too steep for the groomer.

Anyone that is out riding and has access to a chainsaw, please clear any trees that you see on the trails.  This will help keep the groomers moving.  It is very slow going if the groomer operator has to stop and open the trail up.  Keep in mind that the groomer is 12' tall and 9' wide.  Thanks for any help you can provide and keep track of the people, hours and equipment used for the funding paperwork.

Groomers out today

The groomer operators are back in town and we have enough snow to groom. There are some trail issues to be aware of: 1. The bridge north of the VFW on 2C has a very large mud/water hole and has become impassable. We will be working on this today. 2. The field south of the VFW still has corn and people are running to the west of it. Please head east around the corn. This will avoid being near the landowner's house and bales of hay 3. Trail 25b in Slaterville has little to no signage. To get gas, go up the hill (north of Rt 79) and then back down the hill entering from the back of the gas station. Please do not ride sleds up the sidewalk or on the road on Rt 79. 4. At the top of Tehan (signal tower) is junction TK21 which used to pick up S25B. This is now groomer access only. The new S25B goes thru Dusenberry and picks up the original S25B at the bridge near Midline and Cornelius Rd.

Trails open Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Conditions permitting, trails will open after dark on the last day of muzzleloader season.

59F and Sunny

It would be a great day if this were April. Unfortunately, trails remain closed and the 10-day forecast isn't looking good.

Here is a picture of the field next to the Dryden VFW from earlier today.

Trails still closed due to lack of snow

We got 1-2" of fluff this weekend. Unfortunately, not enough to ride yet. Please stay off the trails until we get more snow.

Rain + 40s = Closed trails

Well, that didn't last long. Please stay off the trails until conditions improve. Thanks.

Trails are finally open!

It has been an unusually warm winter so far, but conditions have finally improved.

We received 4-8" at the end of last week and it is cold. There isn't enough snow to groom yet, and with no base expect to quickly wear our your carbides and have them broken apart by all the rocks (personal experience).

The wet snow followed by near 0 temps have the trails covered with drooping branches and some fallen trees. The wet spots are freezing over, but there is still plenty of standing water and mucky conditions. We will need a lot more cold, snow and volunteers to clear trails before the groomers will be able to get out. For those that do venture out, be extra cautious and take it easy.

There is a new section on trail S25b connecting Midline Rd (near Cornelius Rd) and Yellow Barn Rd at the Dusenberry Sportsman club. Follow the signs. This change was required by land owners that were not pleased with snomobilier behaviour last year.

A Section of C2b on Hammond Hill Rd has been re-routed to avoid a large section of standing water at the top of the hill. Follow the signs.

Done?

Last Sunday we got another foot of snow and had great riding opportunities for Monday and Tuesday. Then it warmed up and rained for the rest of the week melting of most fields to bare ground and creating extreme water hazards.
There is still some limited riding in the hills, but lower elevation trails are closed unless conditions improve.

Warm temps and rain on the way

We got a good foot of wet heavy snow last weekend and much of the trail system was groomed up before the rain came on Monday and brought lower elevation fields down to bare ground. The VFW and Dryden fields are closed until we get more snow. Unfortunately, we were unable to groom C7h to Groton or C2c to Cortland this week due to the lack of snow in Dryden.

However, there is still a lot of snow up in the hills and woods trails still have a deep base. We did groom from Yellow barn to Virgil (C2b) last night and that trail is very nice right now. Tomorrow's warm temps and rain will likely create serious water hazards in the typically wet low lying areas. The fields by Barton farm (near Irish Settlement Rd) on C2c will be particularly bad when thawed out.

One suggestion for riders is to trailer to Slaterville Springs or Hammond Hill and head north towards Marathon tonight or tomorrow morning. Stay away from Dryden and the VFW unless you want to drive by to pick up a tee shirt. Another option would be to trailer to Groton and ride north towards Lake Cuomo.

Enjoy it before its gone, but please do not ride trails that don't have snow cover. Respect our land owners so they will continue to allow us the privilege of crossing their land.

Still riding

We survived last week's warm up and have 4-6" of new snow on top of a (rock) solid base. Groomers have been out, but still have more to do. There are some creek crossings where the snow bridge has been eroded, so be careful and expect to find some challenging sections out there.

The new club long sleeve shirts and sweatshirts are in and available for purchase at the Dryden VFW, Lake Como Inn and (hopefully) Poor Shots.

Cost is $15 for shirts and $20 for sweatshirts please stop by any of these places or contact Todd Ashley tashley@sack.pro to purchase them. Thanks.

Lots of snow and low branches

Our trails survived last weekend's torrential rain storms and the poker run traffic and have been blessed with another 6-12" of snow this week combined with nice cold temperatures. The groomers have been out picking through the trails, but it has been very slow going. The freezing rain, sleet and wet snow stuck to every branch on our woods trails and there are lots of low branches and trees down. It would be very helpful if riders could take some time to help out with clearing trails. Bring a pair of loppers or a small chainsaw with you and do what you can. Remember the big groomers are 9' tall and 9' wide.
Enjoy the great conditions and always ride in control. We may be out touching up a few of the trails on Friday night so expect to meet a groomer or another sled on every corner at all times.

Get out and ride!

We have 6-12" of fresh snow on a very nice 2-8" base.

After a heroic effort this week by Tim Cornelius to fix the new groomer's failed 24 volt alternator, we are back in business and grooming both sides of the hill again. The cold weather is helping to keep trails in tip top shape for Saturday' poker run.

Enjoy.

Conditions are very good

We have been actively grooming the trails and developing a very nice base in the upper elevations. Low lying fields like in Dryden are very thin, but ridable. Get out and enjoy the trails.

Our benefit ride for Breast Cancer research is scheduled for Saturday, Jan 29. Registration is at 10:30am at the Dryden VFW and participants will leave at 11:30am. Please show up to support this great charity event.

Poker Run/Cash Raffle, Sat. Feb 5th registration from 9-11 at the Dryden VFW $10 a hand and our Cash Raffle Prize Drawing will be at 6 so sell/sell/sell. Contact Missy Cooper (274-6313) if you need tickets.

Lewie's Cabin in Berkshire will be open this weekend and next from 11-8 on Sat. and 9-5 on Sundays.

Poor Shots in Speedsville will also continue to be open on Sat and on Sundays from 12-4 as long as trails are rideable, they will also have food available. Tonight's special is Lasagna and next Fridays is Fried Chicken!!!!

We've finally got some snow

We got about 6-9" of fresh powder Thursday night. Trails are open and in good condition. The new groomer was out all afternoon and evening (just got home). Covered the following trails, C2c to Cortland, Yellow Barn and up to Hammond Hill. C2b from Hammond hill to Virgil. S25b to Slaterville. Not sure what got done in Caroline/Berkshire yet. Get out and ride.
Don't forget to thank land owners and snowmobile club volunteers for their generosity and hard work.

LET IT SNOW! - Trails open where conditions permit

We have 4-10" of fresh snow. It is fluffy and getting blown around, but there is enough to ride in the higher elevations. Dryden is still very thin. Groomers have not been out yet, but might get going tomorrow or Friday depending on how much more snow we get tonight.

Good news. S23b, the alternate field route to Berkshire is now open. The issues the land owner had with the individual rider have been resolved and the club has permission to open the trail back up.

Please ride with respect to land owners and stay on the marked trails.

TRAILS CLOSED - Not enough snow yet

We have 0-5" of fluff and no base. Some riders have been out in these marginal conditions and this is causing lots of landowner complaints and even some trail closures.

S26 - The trail from Speed Hill to Buffalo Hill Road is CLOSED most likely for the season, this is the trail from Don Mix's house on Rt79 to the old Crooked Board. The landowner has been up in the woods doing some work and there are a couple very dangerous 25 ft drop offs where someone could get seriously injured.

C2c - Trail from Dryden to Cortland. There are complaints from Sherman Farm that sleds are not staying on the trail and are running over fencing, in the fields north of the communication tower. Please pay attention to the signage and if you see a problem report it to one of our trail bosses.

C2 - At the top of Downy Rd the section of C2 (maintained by Candor Valley Riders) that used to run south through the woods to Gulf Creek Rd is closed due to a new landowner who does not want snowmobiles on their land.

C2 - At the end of Weston Road near Speedsville, sleds MUST stay out of the driveway at top of the hill. Follow the marked trail through the field, or this landowner will be shutting the trail down, and there is no good alternate route!

S23b - Alternate (field) route to Berkshire. Trail is closed until further notice due to land owner issues with an individual snowmobilier. That's right, one person's action can close a prime trail for everyone. When we get snow, riders will have to use the C2 (woods) route.

Remember if it were not for our landowners we wouldn't be able to ride and enjoy the sport we all love so much!!!

Please stay off the trails until we get more snow. Thanks!