Be careful riding the Hill. Good job Dale & son.



Tug Hill -- Ride The North End...
Magnum
Thursday, 13 December 2007, at 3:58 a.m.
The temperature is approximately 6 F degree. Wednesday was mostly overcast, with the sun poking through periodically. The cold temperatures have frozen/firmed up most of the snow, that‘s mixed with the freezing rain that fell though early morning on Tuesday. Currently there’s approximately 12 to 18 inches of snow on the Hill. The lower areas like Turin, Brantingham and Boonville have approximately 4 to 8 inches of snow on the ground. Traffic was low during Tuesday.

Tonight, What a difference on day makes. The freezing rain that mixed with the snow has caused many trees to be hanging on the trail or totally uprooted and across the trail like on North Road. At the time of this report, only one snowmobile club was out… Valley Snow Travelers. Look at the photos for yourself… The snow laid down flat and smooth. More importantly they removed the trees from their Trail. I would avoid all trails South of the Whetstone Reservoir. There are too many trees hanging or fallen over the trails and in many cases narrowing the trail down to one lane. North Road is one of the worst. The trails are firm, with a hard packed base. Other then the turns, all the trails are well covered. The area roads are covered with a thin layer of snow/ice as well. The trail system from West Leyden, past the Hideaway was bumpy and in fair condition. Up through Barrows Performance and up McGoldrick Truck Trail, to the intersection of Number 9 Trail, was in fair to good condition, with low lying trees hanging. North Road is bumpy and in fair condition, with numerous trees blocking the trails. Although during the day you may see the trees, be alert to riding at night. Use extreme caution riding this area or avoid it all together. Continuing down Plumber Road, to Smith Road was in good to fair condition, with some low lying trees. Heading off the Hill, down to Gomer Hill Road, near the Tow Path Inn, in Turin was in good to fair condition, with low lying trees. Back to the top of the Hill… Number 9 Trail to Tabolts corners was in bumpy and in fair condition. The turns are bumpy and thin too. The Railroad Bed from Tabolts Corners, heading to the Sportsman was in good to fair condition. Heading to Timberview from Tabolts Corners was in good to fair condition. Heading South of Timberview, crossing Route 26, heading towards Brantingham was in mostly good condition, with a couple thin areas. Heading North from Tabolts Corners to Houseville Gulf was bumpy and in fair condition. Be alert on the turns, as they are worn and icy, with the snow bermed to one side. Heading down to the Old Church Inn was in fair to good condition. I never thought I’d say this but I actually look forward to Valley’s trails. From this point of the Tug Hill trail System (Whetstone Reservoir), North was groomed and in good to excellent condition! I actually stopped and talked to the driver, Dale and his son Coty. Dales enthusiasm in the early morning hours, after working a full day, providing for his family and then to go out and volunteer his time is inspiring to see his dedication. He wasn't just grooming, but clearing the trails of fallen or hanging trees, hopping in and out of the groomer. My helmet off, for doing an outstanding job. From Graves Road to the Montague Inn was one of the best rides this season. Just look at the photos. Graves Road was groomed and in good to excellent condition. The French Road was groomed and in good to excellent condition. Leonards Lane Road was groomed and in good condition. Continuing on Centerville Road to Flat Rock Inn, was groomed and in good to excellent condition. Even the turns are nice and smooooooth. Flat Rock Road to the intersection of Parker and Olin Road was groomed and in good to excellent condition. Parker Road to the Montague Inn was groomed and in good to excellent condition. Olin Road to the Tug Hill Inn was in good condition. Heading to the drive in theater from The Edge Motel or Marino’s Pizza is in fair to good condition. Continuing past the drive-in theater and the RVI Restaurant is thin along the road and in fair to good condition. There is thin to bare snow cover from Burdicks Crossing Road, to Sweeney Road and continuing to Middle Road, to North-South Road, to Brantingham, to the Pine Tree Inn, located in the middle of Brantingham. Continuing down Partridgeville Road, towards Stillwater, passing the Coach Light Inn and Trailside Restaurant & Tavern, has thin snow cover all the way to the trailhead to Stillwater. From Brantingham to Stillwater was in fair condition. Heading through Boonville, past Charlie Brown’s Bistro was in good to fair condition. The Railroad tracks heading to Old Forge from Forestport and Woodgate are not totally covered yet. Continuing through Thendara and Big Moose Station, the Railroad tracks are not totally covered. Be alert to areas where the rails are exposed.

When riding the area, be alert to stumps, rocks and debris, shielded by snow. Open fields are full of hidden surprises. Just stay on the marked trails and you'll be fine. Be alert to riding on lakes and reservoirs, as they are not ridable yet.

Snow is in the forecast through Thursday, with a possible 2 to 5 inches of new snow and a temperature high in the lower 20’s and the lows in the negative numbers. Snow showers are expected through Friday, with the snow continuing through the weekend. We‘ll have to wait and see how the current weather system develops in the area. It looks like the cold temperatures will last, however how much snow we‘ll receive is still too soon to call for this weekend. If the area gets 6+ inches of new snow to cover what‘s on the ground now, we‘ll be in very good shape. We’ll see what develops…



Ride Safe… Think A Lot Of Snow!!

Rider Cam Photos Of Area Trails

Tonight's Trail Conditions Are Sponsored By
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