The first real ride of the season is something we all look forward to the second we put our sleds away. Coming into this winter I must admit, it was hard to get excited. Winters in the Lakes Region have been inconsistent, and last year may have been one of the hardest. Starting out at the highest of highs with the second largest snow storm on record in NH, followed by it all being completely wiped out in under two weeks. As we all know, last winter was rough. So when I saw there was a big storm coming that was going to hit the southern parts of the lake, I knew it was time to set out to do something I haven’t done (but always wanted to do) in the 20+ years living and snowmobiling in the Lakes Region, snowmobile around the lake.
Day One
Friday was spent replacing spark plugs in preparation for a two day adventure around Lake Winni. I didn’t take any pictures on Saturday because I wanted to minimize my screen time for the day and enjoy the ride. The chosen route would be Meredith>Wolfeboro>Ossipee>Meredith. I left around noon and headed south towards Winnisquam. From there I traveled through Belmont, Gilmanton, Alton, Barnstead, and New Durham before dark. These trail systems were in fantastic shape, coated in 4+ inches of fresh snow, untouched in many places. If you think you need to go North to find good riding, I can say with confidence you will be pleasantly surprised with the trails and conditions on the southern end of the lake.
When I reached Johnson’s Restaurant the snow really started coming down. I crossed 11 to find minimal to no tracks up past Merrymeeting Lake. What a treat! From the Moose Mountain parking lot I continued up around Lake Wentworth and into downtown Wolfeboro, ending at Garwoods Restaurant. At this point the winds were howling and visibility was quite poor. Day one was in the books! Trip Length – 86.3 Miles
Day 2
The storm passed and the sun was out…so was the wind. The day started off with breakfast in Wolfeboro at the Downtown Grille Cafe. With an omelet down, caffeine consumed, and a topped off gas tank, it was time to hop on Lake Winni and head to the next destination, Hobbs Tavern in Ossipee, NH.
Lake Winnipesaukee
Any mention of crossing Lake Winnipesaukee deserves it’s own write up. The ice is mostly “safe” going from bay to bay, it’s also a bit gnarly. Due to high winds, the conditions on the more open areas consist of snow drift after snow drift with smooth/slick glare ice in-between with minimal traction. This means unless you have a fully studded track, accelerating and stopping can be an issue. The snow drifts also hide many pressure ridges that you can’t identify until you get up close to them. If you do venture out, you need to watch your speed or you’re going to have a bad time. I do NOT have any feedback about crossing the Broads. Winnipesaukee is a beast of a lake no matter the time of year, so be extra careful out there.
Continuing the trek north up 26 and 19 to Hobbs, I earned myself a flight of locally crafted beer and salmon tacos. Hobbs is a great spot to ride into. The building is gorgeous with hand scorched wood ceilings, a great bar, and wonderful food. If you haven’t been there, you should definitely add it to the list.
After a delicious lunch, it was time for the second leg of the trip home. The route would be on C15 over the Ossipee Mountains towards Castle In the Clouds. These trails are so much fun, loaded with switchbacks that weave through the mountains. The downhill section offers gorgeous lake and sunset views. It’s a real treat to have this right in our backyard.
I crossed 117 and continued up Moultonborough Neck. Being late Sunday afternoon, the trails started getting a bit bumpy due to high traffic (as expected anywhere on a late Sunday afternoon). Hopping back on Lake Winnipesaukee to finish off the trip was the move at this point.
The trip was capped off at one of my favorite places in town, Surfside Burger Bar. This restaurant has delicious burgers, great drinks, and a killer vibe. Trip length: 96.2 Miles
Trip Totals
Day One – 86.3 Miles
Day two – 96.2 Miles
Total: 182.5
4 restaurants were visited
1 gas station
10 hours-ish of travel time.
Final Thoughts
A trip like this really puts things in perspective. All of the clubs around the lake work independently to keep their section of the system safe and in great riding shape, but everyone is working together so we can keep this sport alive and thriving in NH, and continue supporting local businesses. Ride safe, ride right.
If you haven’t done so yet, join a club: Join a Club
Download the NHSA App: https://nhsa.com/nh-snowmobile-trail-map/
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