Trail Report #7 Winter 2014-2015

[Lee & Mary]

Trail Report #7 Winter 2014-2015

There is good riding but conditions are still variable through out the trail system. Our trails recovered and groomed up nicely after last Sunday’s heavy rain. However we still need snow to add some depth, fill depressions and at least some snow flurries to provide the cooling and hyfax lubrication most sleds need. After market ice scratchers will be a good accessory to utilize if the below freezing temperatures remain in place and we don’t receive a bit of snow in the near future. The wet areas have frozen over, prior to full freeze up the groomer was able to get rutted trails graded and packed. The trail base is now very solid and flat on the logging road trails, but “off road” trails are still bumpy because of snow covered rocks under the base layer Along with other trail hazards more unexpected ice floes are developing in many areas. Good carbide skegs and track studs are helpful. Do NOT expect trail hazards to be marked...it is impossible to mark these consistently and conditions change without warning. “HEADS UP” safe riding is required, there is NOT a lot of soft snow to cushion you if you slide off trail.

CAUTION... Active logging operations are ongoing in two locations...#1... @ F-98 S at Freedom Way, near North Road, Guildhall (there is a signed side trail in place to skirt the yard/processing area.. stay out of the yard and on that trail ..watch for trucks and skidders and #2… @ F-2 S just beyond the old sugar house on Boucher Rd. There is equipment operating along the sides and sometimes in the trail...pay attention...there may be debris in the trail (toss it off to the side please), stay out of their way, stay away from the processing equipment, be patient they will let you through, they have an important but dangerous job to do, the operators will usually let you know when it’s ok to proceed, make sure they can see you. There are also logging trucks hauling out the products, you must get out of their way; so they can get their job done and be sure you're safe.

PLEASE STAY ON DESIGNATED TRAILS.... With the hard snow surfaces you can travel most anywhere, that doesn’t mean you should. Throughout the northeast permission is secured for designated trails, this includes through open fields, private and publicly owned forest. This is not like the western US where you can ride anywhere...regardless of what manufacturers' marketing efforts and U-Tube videos would lead you to believe. PLEASE STAY ON THE TRAIL.

• Connecticut Valley Sno-Riders Grooming Area

• From Guildhall Village Trail 2F to the Pipeline Jct EX 64
• From EX 75 on the 2F trail north on route F102 to Maidstone Lake
• From EX 532 North on the Lake Road to EX 55 on Route 98
• From EX 532 West on 102-A to EX 51
• From EX 51 North on 102-A to EX 42 on Route 102
• From EX 343 North to EX 501 on Highway Rte 105 (Stone Dam)
• From EX 51 North on Route 98 to EX 491 junction with trail head Rt F98
• From EX 491 North on Route 98 to EX 49 joining Route 102
• From EX 50 feeder trail F102 to Bloomfield
• From EX 402 to EX 532 the Route 1 trail