Eastern Ontario If you want to visit Canada but wish
avoid the big crowds and heavy trail traffic, we strongly recommend Eastern Ontario. This part of the big province, on the quiet side of Algonquin Provincial Park, has excellent riding and great services, and it’ s easily accessible from the U. S. The scenery on TOP Trail B heading west from Barry’ s Bay along the Opeongo River past Madawaska is among the very best you’ ll find anywhere. Pembroke is a good place to start your exploration, but there are many other possibilities. Visit snowcountryscsa. ca for more information.
|
Many trails in the Allegheny National Forest are actually unpaved access roads, but see little or no wheeled vehicle traffic in the winter, making them easy to ride. |
|||||
Aroostook County,Maine Yes,“ The County” is a long way
from anywhere, but yes, the trip is absolutely worth it, provided that you can stay for more than a couple of days. Located farther north than anywhere else in the eastern U. S., and with a longer snow season than most other areas, The County offers an enticing mix of trail types and outstanding support services from some of the most accommodating people anywhere. If you are a serious snowmobiler, an extended visit to this area definitely needs to be on your bucket list. It’ s absolutely that good. Consult visitaroostook. com for more information.
|
shared with big trucks servicing the area’ s natural resource harvesting, so riding in this region is actually better on weekends when there are fewer wheeled vehicles around. One connector trail leads 40 miles north to access another 100 miles or so of great trails in the rugged pre-glacial scenery of Allegany State Park in New York( note the different spellings between the states), but you must be registered in New York in advance to take advantage of that opportunity.
In some ways, riding the Allegheny National Forest is a throwback to earlier days. Trail marking isn’ t strong away from“ the Loop” so there’ s a premium on navigational skills, especially map reading. Grooming is generally good, but some areas are simply better than others. Services are sparse, but available.
We have enjoyed lodging, meals and guide service from the Lantz Corners Getaway, strategically located on the corner of historic U. S. Route 6 and Route 219. We strongly recommend a hearty breakfast at the Kelly Hotel in Marienville, and we’ ve had great dinners at both the Bucktail Hotel in Marienville and the historic Westline Inn, so bring your appetite. Believe me, you
|
will not leave any of these places hungry.
The Allegheny National Forest is an absolute treasure that many riders overlook for better-known areas. Located just a few hours’ drive from anywhere in Pennsylvania, much of upstate New York and eastern Ohio, it offers a unique riding experience. For more information, contact the Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau at Allegheny-vacation. com or 800 / 473-9370.
Lake George / Warren County, New York
If fabulous Adirondack Mountain scenery is what you crave, nowhere has better snowmobiling- or scenery- than the Lake George / Warren County area of eastern New York State. The views here are simply incomparable, the trails are excellent for the most part, and this area has some of the best trailside support services we’ ve found
|
anywhere in the eastern states. Plus, access to this area is a piece of cake from pretty much anywhere in the East.
The 270-degree panorama from the top of 2,205-foot Prospect Mountain, right outside of Lake George, is the best snowmobile-accessible natural scenic view anywhere in the Empire State, and maybe in the whole eastern U. S. I can’ t think of any place that tops it, partly because on a good day you can see for more than 100 miles.
Getting topside doesn’ t take a feat of skilled mountaineering, either. It’ s an easy 6-mile cruise to the top on a paved highway that is closed to wheeled vehicles for the winter and groomed daily for snowmobile use. Even a 10-year-old kid can handle this ride to the top with ease.
After that enthralling view, more than 300 miles of mapped, marked and groomed trails connect you to other outstanding scenery.
|