I'm planning a ride this February with some friends, we'll be staying and leaving from Indian Lake. We've ridden from there to Inlet many times but this year we want to push it a bit further. I'm thinking about trying a full loop but I'm having trouble figuring how far it will be and if it's really doable in a day for us.

I'd like to ride Indian Lake to Inlet via the C8 trail through Cedar River, again we've done this part many times. From there head in to Old Forge to the West and pick up C7, do I need the Old Forge pass just to make this connection?

From there I would head down C7 to Remsen and pick up C4. It looks like from there I can take it up through Piseco and in to Speculator and then I know the ride from there up to Indian Lake.

My question is has anybody out there down this loop before? About how many miles is it round trip and could you guess about how long to plan for it to take (understanding it depends on my average speed and how long we stop for food, gas, etc)?

Thanks for your help!

I do the loop every year.Its a great ride.Its a all day trip.I think it about 250 give or take 20 miles You can cut over from Otter Lake on s46 over to Nobleboro then up to Piseco lake.

As fare a need a trail pass yes you do if you ride on their trails but not the roads or the RR tracks.You will have to ride on their trails for a little bit to make the loop.

I have seen posts that say you can make it thru inlet with out a pass but I haven't found an away yet.

I always take the FX trail down to 4th lake cross 4th lake then take the roads up to the RR track then back down to otter lake.

If they would just make a day pass so people like us could do the loop they would make alot more money.


Before you make the trip go to ilsnow.com for trail conditions

http://ilsnow.com/

Good luck with you trip

When you get to the Inlet gate of the Moose River Plains(Limekiln Rd.)You take the road to either the F.X Matts trail or Go out to the trail behind the Ole Barn to Gilbert Rd.I saw the police on that trail twice last year. It's only 1 mile long but is permit required.(Posted as such)The Matts trail to South Shore Rd. Is mostlly on state land but it's my understanding that both ends cross private property which the town can enforce their permit requirement on! If you get caught without Webb/Inlet stickers they will make you pay the permit fee and fine. You might want to make sure the rails are well covered before you get to Thendara.(Trackside Blazers website has good updates on this trails condition.)If you have Webb/Inlet stickers you have other options if the rails don't have alot of snow.Altogether that loop is probably 250 miles and you want to make sure the lakes are frozen also.Fun ride-enjoy!

Thanks for the responses and the helpful information, especially the Otter Creek bit. Sounds like the loop is longer then I thought though at 250 miles so I need to make sure these guys are up for it! The ride isn't until February but I always monitor www.ilsnow.com, great resource for timely trail information. Thanks again!