8 replies to this topic

[jhwentworth]

Not sure whether this should go in the Lakes Region or the White Mountain forums, so I put it here.

Would like to park and ride out of White Lake State Park, heading northeast towards Wonalancet. Let me be more accurate, riding from WLSP towards decent snow and trails. The OVSC web site says that the Bowles trail between Wonalancet and WLSP was groomed as of 2/3/2012; has anyone ridden this trail recently?

[Oldtimer]

jhwentworth, on 08 February 2012 - 08:40 AM, said:

Not sure whether this should go in the Lakes Region or the White Mountain forums, so I put it here.

Would like to park and ride out of White Lake State Park, heading northeast towards Wonalancet. Let me be more accurate, riding from WLSP towards decent snow and trails. The OVSC web site says that the Bowles trail between Wonalancet and WLSP was groomed as of 2/3/2012; has anyone ridden this trail recently?

I groomed it Saturday night. Did the best I could with what we have. Getting out to the first intersection is a little bouncy, but head down the James pond loop, then take a right onto the Bowles cut-off. That will take you to the Wonalancet "White church" loop intersection. That loop is done by SWT, and I can't speculate on how it is. I groomed straight through there and onto the James Pond loop again.
So, if you go back to the JPL, hang a left and then take the next right- The Binzack trail.
At the end of the Binzack, hang a right and go out to Heminway road and the Fire Tower.

All in all, I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised.
The icy compacted base layer will not really allow moguls to form. The snow isn't compacting too well.

BEAR IN MIND: There are several water-bars that remain open due to the rains we had last month..they aren't a deal breaker, but be aware and ride at a modest pace.

I will see about going back out there tonight if it hasn't been done since Saturday night..

[Hardy]

I rode this same loop last saturday, cover was excellent and the trails were pancake smooth!

[jhwentworth]

Oldtimer, on 08 February 2012 - 08:57 AM, said:

BEAR IN MIND: There are several water-bars that remain open due to the rains we had last month..they aren't a deal breaker, but be aware and ride at a modest pace.

I will see about going back out there tonight if it hasn't been done since Saturday night..

Thanks for the information. Any idea of about how many miles of rideable trails there are in that area? I intend to get a trail map at Canoe King and park at WLSP, will that work? We had planned to go to Bear Notch Road again, but seeing new country is always a good idea, except if you're lost. One good thing to be said for the White Mountain Trail Club system in Bear Notch is that it's very hard to get lost.

[Oldtimer]

Canoe King is open tomorrow, and can set you up with a map and detailed info.
There are some 50 miles in total in the Wonalancet section of the OVSC system, and all are open. The trail out to the greater system from WLSP is a little rough, only because there's not enough snow to fill in every "hole" with the 2 groomings it has seen so far. More grooming will fill them in eventually. Still, it sounds worse than it is. Hardy is right, it's very decent, better than you would expect.
Pretty sure the groomer is going out tonight. I will double check with George K., who is supposed to go out. If he isn't, I will.

You can park @ Canoe King any time, but they open @ 9AM. Mitch is usually there 10 minutes early though.
Have fun, you'll enjoy the Bowles Cut-off and James pond loop, I promise.
Just head out, and at the first intersection- James pond and Bowles- go straight. Then take a sharp right at the next intersection. You'll be on the Bowles cut-off, and it takes you through the White Mountain National Forest. Extremely scenic.

Remember the water-bars.

[Oldtimer]

Just talked with George.

He is going out this evening, and will groom the Bowles trail to Heminway road, down heminway, then out the middle trail to Whiteface Intervale (Where the OVSC meets the Sandwich Sidehillers). He will return via the James Pond Loop.

If you ride tomorrow, it should be very very nice. Ride at a modest pace, so water-bars don't catch you by surprise.

[jhwentworth]

Oldtimer, on 08 February 2012 - 11:51 AM, said:

Just talked with George.

He is going out this evening, and will groom the Bowles trail to Heminway road, down heminway, then out the middle trail to Whiteface Intervale (Where the OVSC meets the Sandwich Sidehillers). He will return via the James Pond Loop.

If you ride tomorrow, it should be very very nice. Ride at a modest pace, so water-bars don't catch you by surprise.

Thanks again. We'll probably ride Friday.

[WICKED]

Does any one know if the snowbanks are high enough to back my Chevy 1500 up to and unload my sled on,or if there's a ramp or something else thanks Wicked

[Oldtimer]

There are banks and enough people to get the sleds out of the truck. Have fun, ride right, ride safe.