Searchmont Ontario

Early Season - December 3rd, 2023

This was our 2nd ride of the season in Algoma country. Riders: Don H. Chad C. Dan K.

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  Adequate Snow

  The Searchmont area is usually a guaranteed early season riding opportunity in the Sault Ste. Marie region. Sledding sometimes starts in late November, but almost always in early December. The region gets impacted due to its proximity to Lake Superior and the valley layout surrounded by mountains. On this particular trip, the snow-depth was adequate but nothing outstanding, compared to previous, more traditional winters. We were riding in 30-32cms of snow on the bluffs, with less down in the valleys and lower level elevations. Searchmont is approximately 45 minutes north-east of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

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  Rail Line

  Part of this trip brought us along a bush trail that paralleled the Algoma Central Railway. This gave us an opportunity to stop and check out rail-line activity. There appears to be no trains running so far this winter, a repeat of last winter. However, that can change at any time. The inspection vehicles are still currently running on sections of the line up to and including December 15th. These tracks run from Sault Ste. Marie, north to Franz, OBA and Hearst. The bush trails surrounding this area showed no sledding activity. We were the first through this section since the snow set in.

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  Achigan Lake

  Anglers and snowmobilers are delighted to see this! When there's an opportunity to build ice before snow, that's great news. Achigan Lake appears to have just froze across and is looking at a possible good start to winter. Ice near the shoreline was actually quite thick, however, there was no need to venture out. Safety first!. Look carefully as you can see the Algoma Central Railway on the far side of the lake. There are camp-owners on this lake, particularly on the north-west corner. Here, we are looking across from east to west.
  
  Author: Dan Kachur - https://sled-x.ca