Weekend Snowmobile Trip

This weekend has been a busy one for my snowmobile.  On Saturday, Ashby and I went for a ride of around 30 miles (round trip) down trail 3.  On the way back, we stopped at Quincy's restaurant for dinner.  Sunday was so warm (high of 38 degrees) that I couldn't resist going out again.  This time I went with my friend Tyler.  We left houghton and took trail 17 north to Calumet.  There, we managed to find the other end of trail 3 and took it back to Houghton.  It was nice to have new scenery on the way back, instead of the other side of the same trees.  Now the old Arctic Cat has well over 100 new miles on it since I brought it up here, and it should cover many more over the next several winters.  In two weeks I'll be going home for spring break, and I'll be bringing the Panther home with me.  Hopefully I'll get my fill of snowmobiling next weekend.

The snowmobile parking lot at Quincy's.  

I think there were more snowmobiles than cars!

The snowmobile trail through Calumet.

Sunset behind the Lift Bridge.

Weekend Activities

This has been a fun weekend.  I took the snowmobile for a ride on both Saturday and Sunday.  On Saturday, I took Ashby and we went about 20 miles, and on Sunday my friend Aaron and I rode for about 25.  The trail from where the snowmobile is parked to the bridge to Hancock is quite rough.  Once over the bridge, though, it was much smoother thanks to the grooming crews.  There have been no mechanical problems so far, so that is a good sign.  Today was so warn (around freezing) that I wished I hadn't worn my snowpants.  I brought my camera and got some pictures of the trip.  Also, Ashby and I took a walk around campus to enjoy the balmy 32 degree weather, so I took pictures of some of the snow statues that are taking shape.

The Jack Stevens Calumet-Hancock Rail Trail.

A trailhead with signs for various restaurants, gas stations, hotels, etc.

The lift bridge.

The view from the driver's seat.

A snow statue taking shape.

Jack Frost.

A train engine in the making.

Snowmobile First Test Run

Today, I finally had the chance to get my snowmobile out on the trails.  I only took it about five miles total, and stayed within about two miles (walking distance) of campus.  Everything went very smoothly.  It seems that the repairs are holding up wonderfully.  Ashby enjoyed the ride as well, so we'll have to venture further next weekend.  For now, though, it is just good to know that the old 'Cat works properly.

Snowmobile Video

I decided to go ahead and test the snowmobile before leaving for Houghton, even with no snow on the ground.  Everything seemed to go well.  Of course, it will be much better once there is snow to run on.  Here's a video of the test:

Going Back

It's about time for me to head back to school after Christmas Break.  My big project over the past three weeks (and possibly for the next four years or so...) has been restoring a 1974 Arctic Cat snowmobile with quite a bit of much appreciated help from my uncle.  Most of the work went into fixing a leaking seal in the transmission.  It has an odd transmission for a snowmobile, consisting of an automotive style torque converter rather than the usual belt-driven transmission.  It should be fun to run around on the snowmobile trails up around Houghton.  Unfortunately there has been a complete lack of snow here at home, so I have not been able to test the snowmobile out.  It does move under its own power, so that's a good sign.  I'll post an update as soon as I get it out on the trails up north.  I'll hopefully get a video to post as well.