Riding At The Lake, Next Generation

[roadtech]

Hi Glen
This thing pulls like a tank, and your right no groomer yet, but the power is there
Steering and ride is so far good and I will assume pulling to be good as well .
I put a cooler on the Geo today, it was rated for a Superduty so it will do the job.
I changed the fluid to Syn type that may help a bit as well.
I'm still digging out so no packing today, and since I know the lake will have top water
I will get the sled out tomorrow and beat the snow down on the trail across the lake
Don

 

[snochuk]

So how much has it snowed at the lake so far? Wife wants a snow blower for the house in Edmonton, hoping we got the same dump at the farm next to the lake.

 

[roadtech]

Hi All
If your coming to the lake or have a place at or near the Lake ,you need a snow blower
The snow we got is not the feather type, it is good dense snow. This stuff is the best snow for
packing and will make a beautiful trail when done.

See you on the trails
Don

 

[roadtech]

I was out packing today all went well, the snow is great, it will make for nice trails this year.

One thing I can't stress enough is that the whole lake is cover with top water, I was packing the snow(water) at the narrows
so I can get across the lake and start packing there. I saw depressions in the snow cover at the north end and that means top water.
The shore line is wet as well. FYI
If you are interested in crossing to the east side of the lake, cross at block 13 in the narrows, I have safely done it there.

Don

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
Just a friendly reminder, there is 1000 km of trails at Long Lake and it would be nice if you don't quad on the trails I'm packing, I was returning home yesterday and a quad is coming at me ripping on as he goes by me. I know I'm not the trail police but I have 6 pails of gas and about 20 hours into the trails on the west side of the lake this year so far. Just Asking
Thanks
Don

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
Well if you are wondering how much snow we have

See you on the trails
Don

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
Well the Lake is in pretty good snow shape for this time of the year, Packing was going well until this afternoon,
heard a rubbing sound and after having a look I can see wear marks on the plastic timing cover made by the pulley and belt.
The Suzuki site indicates the dreaded swelling timing cover issue. So I will be out of commission until it gets repaired.

Now the top water is still there and I would recommend you crossing the lake at block 11, I measured 12 inches of ice where I tested.

See you on the trails
Don

 

[Switch]

Thanks for the update Don.

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
You can all relax, the belt cover is just to keep the dust and dirt away from the timing belt, I heated the cover up with the heat gun pushed it back out of the
way and we are back in the grooming business.
See you on the trails
Don

 

[Switch]

Don,
How are the trails standing up to the heat wave and is it still passable across the lake at block eleven, thanks.

 

[bigeye43]

Any chance at riding up at the lake this weekend, or is it too thin yet?

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
I was out packing the trails on Friday, if your looking to come out for a ride get out here it's good, the bush area didn't loose any snow, it's rubber boot high, the open area lost a bit to packing with the heat but that's good, it will set the base.

The place to cross the lake is block 11, its safe there.
The snow in the area will be average for Christmas time if we don't loose any more.

This year I have spent extra time clearing the big trees that have fallen over the trails, and all those 1 and 2 inchers that you have had to go around, it makes for a lot of stop and go but has opened the trails up and are probably got most of the trails at about 20 feet wide. Also good exercise for an old man, I will probably wear out my bow saw, Santa's wish list. :xmas200 4_15:
Putting up the tree today but will get back at it Sunday and should have all the packing done and waiting for the next big dump and the groomer.

The quads are still out here beating up the trails but I can fix most of that mess with the groomer. It wouldn't be bad if they just went for a ride on the nice packed trail, but it's the 360 and the marks from pinning it that are hard to fill in.

We will see you on the trails
Merry Christmas to all
Don

 

[bigeye43]

Are trail passes required for this area? Trying to decide if I want to take the 2 hour drive now, or wait until tomorrow. Are you guys getting the rain?

 

[Sledderglen]

Thanks for the update Don. I posted a request for wheeled traffic to be easy or stop riding on groomed snowmobile trails. We all have to share this province and use respect of others users areas such as snowmobile trails.

 

[bigeye43]

I think we will wait for tomorrow to come out. I havent ridden this area before. Any tips?

 

[roadtech]

Hi BE43
This will get you started, Make you way to Long lake Turnoff, when you get to the store keep heading north on hwy 831 for approx. 3 more km, on the right hand side of the hwy you will
see a stop sign with a orange and yellow reflector tape on it, pull in there the intersection is hidden so pay attention and look for this stop sign. turn right off of the hwy and you will be on Long Lake's new emergency access road. From there head east about 1.5 km and since this road is very quiet pullover on the shoulder and off load. I will direct you to the trails on the west of the lake first.

You will get on the sleds and go east until the hill crest look to the north and you will see an opening in the bush go there follow the beaten path. you may see my packing groves in the snow any way get on the trail it will go west for a km then turn north, follow it and go for 5 km until another road, there is a sled trail in the south ditch follow that for 400 meters and then look to the left you will see another trail going into the bush, take that one follow it until another road crossing continue north for 2 more km. you are still on trails that I groom, but for now they are just packed. Follow the beaten path as long as you like or go and explore. there are enough trails on this side to keep you going for days.

The east of the lake is as easy, go to the bottom of the new road, turn left at the bottom and go for 100 meters turn right onto block 11 road go straight on this road to the lake, cross the lake on the beaten path and again you will be on the start of about 1000 km of trails and cut lines. I have been packing on this side this weekend and if you like just follow the packed trails for now.
if you get to the grazing reserve be careful, this time of the year it's a ROCK orchard .

Hope this confuses you so you will be curious enough to come and see my play ground, I have been riding out here since 1982 and still haven't hit all the trails yet.
BE this is a free riding area, be kind to the environment take your garbage home and go and have fun with the family.
See you on the trails
Don

 

[bigeye43]

Thanks road tech!!

 

[bigeye43]

Is this an actual staging area that I can leave the truck, or am I just parking on the side of the road?

Thanks!

 

[roadtech]

big eye I sent you a pm, the road is wide and shouldn't be a problem. There is a large staging area but has not been plowed yet, 4x4 might be ok
Don

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
This may be a no brainer, but it may help some, when riding in a new area always bring a roll of flagging tape to mark your trail and remind you
of your location, BUT there is one more thing to do when putting the tape on a tree, put the KNOT on the side of the tree in the direction you want to return to, when you are confused
in the bush this may make you feel a little better.
OH ya, please remove the tape on your way out

See you on the trail
Don