The Great Slave Snowmobile Association had an amazing ride out to Hearne Lake Lodge last weekend.
photo courtesy of Mike Arbuckle
About 20 riders completed the 225-kilometre loop in amazing weather on our great Northern boreal trails. I love riding on these sunny days.
The portages heading into Jennejohn are still rough but those heading east to Reid and south to Defeat are in great shape. Jennejohn has some tough drifts that may send you airborne so keep your speed in check. Harding, Hearne, Reid, Hidden, Prelude, Prosperous and Walsh are in great shape with minimal drifting.
The trail south from Reid is in very good shape with lots of fresh powder on every lake. The BullMoose Ruth winter road is in full operation so I recommend you check in with the surveillance shack if planning on driving/trailering out this year. I hear this is the last year for the winter road.
The trail north from Reid to Hidden and West to Prelude is in terrific shape. If you're looking for fresh powder try Hidden Lake; not many sleds have wandered out that far.
Keep in mind the waterfall near Powder Point is open and ice near it will be thin. Some sleds have been travelling much closer to the falls than I feel is safe. Also, the narrows between the larger part of Hidden Lake and its western reaches is shallow with lots of rocks. Take it slow and keep to the north side of the narrows.
The portage between Prosperous and Walsh north as well as Walsh south to Yellowknife Bay via Shot Lake are rough. An alternate route you might wish to consider is the Walsh to Yellowknife Bay via the Yellowknife River; most of it is in much better shape.
For anyone out this Saturday, please be wary of the racers for the Frostbite 50. The race crosses Yellowknife Bay then up Walsh Lake to Prosperous returning to the city via the Hay Lake trail system. If travelling Saturday, try to avoid the race course or keep your speed low. GSSA safety riders will be out to assist the racers and may be able to offer an alternate route.
The trails north of Vee Lake and around Berry Hill are in terrific shape. Some of the smaller lakes in the area still have great powder too.
Randy Jacobs is planning on heading up the Awry Lake trail on Sunday afternoon, leaving Long Lake at 2 p.m. Supper on the trail and home by dark. Ride up the trail till around 5 p.m. Have fire and BYOD (bring your own hotdogs or whatever). Turn around and come back. Most of the riding will be on trails and not so much lakes. Some of the trails are a bit overgrown so there may be a bit of bushwacking.
The association's annual Canadian Tire Making Trax is fast approaching on April 7. So mark your calendar and plan to join us. It’ll be the GSSA’s last major ride of the season and will be full of prizes.