Logging Road Riding

Couldn't have picked a better day for a ride. Met at the junction of 8200 and Boundary Roads.
Use caution if you're driving out that way since there is active logging on the 8200 Road and there are narrow areas where you may will encounter loaded logging trucks.

We set out with the idea of cutting the last of the trees and finally getting to the top of Windy Mountain. After about the 4th tree (on the portion of the trail that had already been cleared on a previous ride), we decided that this wasn't how we wanted to spend a beautiful sunny day.

Too much logging activity for a sunny day. Turning around.

Perfection.

No problem riding over this tree.

Found lots of great snow and roads to play on. One lower elevation road had crusty snow conditions so it felt more like being thrown back and forth on a bumper car. Enough of that, back up to the powder.

Taking a moment to enjoy our surroundings.

Team work. Someone has to find the holes.

There's always one last road to check out at the end of the day. Tons of fun. Some of us got quite a workout. Have to get in better shape to keep up with the "older" riders.

Wavey Lake Road to Hager

Finally able to get to one of our favourite riding places. Parked on the Wavey Lake Road, about 8 km up. Snowing like mad, no visibility but lots of powder.

Yeah, bring it on!!! The snow that is.

Harry on his first mountain sled. Did I mention that he's 80.

Always have to stop at Cow Camp for our annual photo. Remember, you can click on any of the photos to enlarge.

Check out the new "onesie" racing outfit.

Seemed to take us awhile to make any distance. Goggle fog problems.

Lunch break. A warm-up shack would have been nice.

No day would be complete without a few stucks.

It was the rider in front who caused this stuck. Ooops.

Harry gets to supervise this one.

More throttle next time.

Despite the lack of visibility, we found lots of untouched deep snow, some meadows and lakes to play on and a bit of ditch play (unintentional). As always, a fun day.

Windy Mountain Ride 2

If at first you don't succeed, then try and try again.

Ride #2 to Windy Mountain came with some successes - new signage and 3/4 of the trail is packed with a good base...and  the 2 big spruce trees are no longer blocking the trail. Still a few more trees near the top that have to come out.

Just because you're going in the right direction, doesn't mean you will get to where you are going.

Energetic riders at the start of the day

A big welcome to our new rider, Richard. It was his first time out with the club and first time riding a sled. He did awesome and we reassured him that it does get easier. This ride did have moments of aerobic activity - combined with 10 extra pounds of gear, who says riding isn't a workout!

After a few challenges near the top, we decided to turn the sleds around.

Looks like someone worked up an appetite

We came down via the alternate trail - the side sloping one. Good practice for those who were out of practice. Ended up on Boundary Road with great powder conditions. Had to backtrack since the 8200 Road is plowed but going back up the trail was easier than coming down since it now has a packed base.

End of the day - already getting dark. Yes, a few tired riders.

A tree came down on the trail while we were out riding and they plowed the Windy Mountain Road. 

Stay tuned for Windy Mountain Ride #3. We will get pictures of us eating lunch up top.

Windy Mountain Ride

It was time for a Club ride up Windy Mountain since we hadn't been up there in several years due to logging.

Fresh snow to start the day. Bring it on.

Sun was trying to make an appearance

Trail head to Windy

Jim took over the lead on the trail up the mountain since Marcel was on the Club's Skandic. It was overdue for a ride and despite being a brute, Marcel was having a blast riding it - like riding a Cadillac.

It appears that we were the first one's up the trail this season. It's getting quite overgrown and had more obstacles than we remembered.

Hey - where did the trail go??

Oh, here's the trail. Good thing for signage.

Between riding the Skandic and cutting trees, Marcel was really earning his lunch.

Had lunch on the trail since we still hadn't made it to the top. More trees down on the trail so Jim and Marcel decided to ride ahead (without the Skandic) and see if it was possible to get to the top. Not this ride. Need to go back with a bigger chainsaw. Apparently it was more work to turn the sleds around then it would have been to cut the trees. 

Fun day even if we didn't make it to the top. Good company and great to be outdoors all day.

1st Ride of 2018

The Club had to cancel our traditional New Year's day ride due to cold temperatures, but finally a break in the cold snap allowing us to get out there.

Full moon morning and clear skies.

Where were all the new riders? Only 6 "old" riders showed up.

Someone got a new ride. Goodbye kitty cat - hello Polaris!

We had planned to ride north to Hager Mountain and area but the road had been freshly plowed. That's what happens when you're riding midweek.

So off we went to Thuya Lakes area exploring all the logging roads out that way. Good easy ride to start the year. If it was so easy, why do I have a few sore muscles today!!!

Perfect blue bird day. Aren't we lucky to live in the Cariboo and experience this.

This is where our trail to Patrick Lake should be. Need more snow and the trees are sure getting in the way.

Creating a turn around in the overgrown road.

Now that we have gotten the skis back in the powder, bring on winter. Check your emails for details for the next ride.

Important Notice - Trail Closure

The quad/snowmobile trail from the Interlakes Corner to the dump, north of Wildman's Restaurant, is no longer available for public use. That portion of the trail crosses through private properties that have now been sold and are being developed.

In the past, we were given "temporary" permission by a local Real Estate developer to use the trail with the understanding that when the lots were sold, the trail would no longer be available for use.

We are asking riders, hikers, and any other form of trail user, to respect private property and the privacy of the owners who have purchased these properties for their personal use.

The next meeting of the Interlakes Snowmobile Club will be a Meet & Greet.

PLACE: Wildman's Family Restaurant

DATE: Wed. November 8th, 2017 

TIME: Social- 6 pm; Meeting & dinner: 7 pm. Each person attending must pay for their dinner.   

We invite anyone with an interest in identifying and developing an alternative route, to attend and share your thoughts.

In the past, the Interlakes Snowmobile Club has developed multi use trail systems in the area. These trail systems are registered with the Government and are pretty much permanent. An example is the trail running south from Judson Rd, over Bridge Creek to the dump, then west to Fawn Lake. The bridge over Bridge Creek was built by members of the Interlakes Snowmobile Club through volunteer hours with the materials and money donated by local businesses.

At this time, the Interlakes Snowmobile Club is not in a position to develop a trail from the Interlakes Corner north to the Fawn Lake trail, since we do not have sufficient membership numbers. The Club is healthy financially but lacks volunteer manpower. If we can get an additional 10 to 20 members with an interest in developing this trail and forming a committee, this can be done. Or, if there is another trail minded local group that would take on the development, the Club would be more than happy to be part of it.

The South Sheridan Lake trails were developed and registered by the Interlakes Snowmobile Club more than 15 years ago. The Club no longer maintains that trail system, but the trails remain, because they are registered.

Currently, the Interlakes Snowmobile Club has a Trail Management Agreement with Recreation Sites and Trails BC. This involves maintaining in part approximately 110 kms of the Barnett Perimeter Trail, north of Hwy 24 to Windy Mtn, west to Drewry Lake onto Doman Rd.

You can also leave comments at our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ilsnowmobileclub or send an email to : ilsnowmobileclub@gmail.com .

Other reasons to join the Interlakes Snowmobile Club:

• social aspect - meet new people
• safer to ride in a group
• organized rides and getaway riding weekends
• ride in new areas
• Snowmobile clubs are members of the BC Snowmobile Federation which is the voice for snowmobiling in British Columbia - important if we want to maintain our existing riding areas
• liability insurance is not as expensive when you are a club member
• liability insurance coverage when working on trails with the club

Hope to see you at Wildman's on November 8th.

In Memory

In Memory of Joe Maddalozzo

our fellow club member and friend

who will be sadly missed.

"Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there; I do not sleep

I am a thousand winds that blow

I am the diamond glints on snow ..."

Excerpt from poem, Mary Elizabeth Frye 1932

So many good memories.

Excerpt from Mary Elizabeth FryMe, 1932M