Snow Goer February 2025 | Page 16

If there is rideable snow anywhere in the mid-Atlantic or southern New England states , it ’ s likely going to be here . The prevailing westerly winds carry moisture from an up to 105-mile fetch across Lake Ontario and hit an elevation differential of up to about 2,000 feet at the Tug Hill Plateau to drop snow in copious quantities , although these very heavy snowfalls can be extremely localized at times .

This region starts at Sodus Bay on the south side of Lake Ontario in Wayne County . It wraps around to the east and then curves north through northern Cayuga County , northern Onondaga County , Oswego County , the western section and northern edge ( Boonville ) of Oneida County , the portion of Lewis County lying west of the Black River Valley , and Jefferson County ( Watertown ) all the way to the beginning of the St . Lawrence River near Cape Vincent .

The Tug Hill Plateau is primarily in western Lewis County , with bits in northern Oswego County and southern Jefferson . It typically gets more snow than anywhere east of the Rockies . Trails are generally well developed , well-marked , wellmapped and adequately maintained , though traffic in the area can be very heavy if it is the only area in the East with good snow . But traffic can also be fairly light if there is good riding elsewhere in New York and Pennsylvania .

Trail connections to other areas are good in all directions except of course for where the area rubs up against Lake Ontario . Services vary depending on where in the region you are , and scenery varies as well .

Following the white ribbon that weaves between the trees here is great fun . A popular “ can ’ t miss ” is a ride to the three-mile-long gorge at Whetstone Gulf State Park for one of the most dramatic views you ’ ll see anywhere . The trail takes riders right up to spot where rocky walls fall away by more than 350 feet .

This is the most popular part of the Adirondacks and contains the Old Forge / Inlet area . It is separated from the Tug Hill Plateau by the Black River Valley running roughly from Watertown to Rome , and from the eastern Adirondacks by an area of few trails in western Saratoga , western Warren and western Essex counties . The area consists of northeastern Oneida County ( north and east of Rome ), eastern Lewis County ( east of the Black River Valley ), northern Herkimer County , all of Hamilton County and northern Fulton County .

Trails and trail quality vary greatly from well-maintained high-volume trails to interesting single tracks that snake through the deep woods . Mapping of main trails is good and marking is adequate to good . Trail connections to other areas are good to the south and west but poor to the east and north . Services are excellent in the Old Forge area , adequate in the Speculator / Lake Pleasant / Piseco area of Hamilton County and variable elsewhere .

When riding here , take the ride on Trail 7 to Trail 6 on the way up to Elise ’ s Lookout high above Old Forge . It ’ s essentially a cliff where you can look down on this famous snowmobiling mecca , with McCauley Mountain in the deep background . Another excellent “ can ’ t miss ” long view is found at Pete ’ s Peak .

16 / FEBRUARY 2025 / SNOWGOER . COM