More Southern Adirondack Hiking

[kwc]

Another tale of social isolation ... we decided to hike into Third Lake along a snowmobile trail ...

Nice wide trail. Most of the snowmobile trails in this area follow old woods roads that were built back in the logging days.

the trail crosses several streams along the way

some awesome rocks along the way. Note the tree growing on the rock, its main root went down the back side of the rock into the soil below

Burnt Vly ... the first and largest of the ones we passed by

the trail passes through a large blow down area ... a large wind storm hit this area in 2013.

a shrinking pond ... the beaver dam at the outlet had been breached and so the pond's water level has been dropping

Mrs. kwc heading up one of the many hills along the way. Woods were pretty open on both sides of the trail through here

Our first view of Third Lake

Another view of the lake, looking east. West Lake Mtn is the higher "hill" in the distance. We watched a pair of loons fishing from here.

the lake's outlet on the northern side of the lake. Note the stones along the side of the stream, obviously placed there by humans, probably during the logging years

8.2 miles r/t, saw only three other people (two out on a canoe on the lake & one as were almost back to the trailhead) all day.

 

[John Morrow]

Do these snowmobile trails get groomed, looks narrow? how do they avoid the machines creating moguls?

 

[kwc]

Do these snowmobile trails get groomed, looks narrow? how do they avoid the machines creating moguls?

Yes, these trails get groomed. NYS gives grant money to local snowmobile clubs to groom trails in their areas. Most of the trails are wide enough for a snowmobile; state regulations prohibit cutting (or trimming) beyond a certain width. These trails are in an area classified as Wild Forest so snowmobiles and trail maintenance are allowed. There are no trails in areas classified as Wilderness or Primitive.

 

[John Morrow]

Yes, these trails get groomed. NYS gives grant money to local snowmobile clubs to groom trails in their areas. Most of the trails are wide enough for a snowmobile; state regulations prohibit cutting (or trimming) beyond a certain width. These trails are in an area classified as Wild Forest so snowmobiles and trail maintenance are allowed. There are no trails in areas classified as Wilderness or Primitive.

I wondered if they were wide enough for a groomer, but must indeed be. Is the grant $$$ from a state gas tax fund by any chance , like here in WA?

 

[kwc]

I wondered if they were wide enough for a groomer, but must indeed be. Is the grant $$$ from a state gas tax fund by any chance , like here in WA?

The $$ come from snowmobile registration fees. It comes as grant money to local governments and they dole out the $$ per grant applications.

 

[John Morrow]

The $$ come from snowmobile registration fees. It comes as grant money to local governments and they dole out the $$ per grant applications.

Oh course, duh, makes sense. Thanks