Buy a helmet communicator, they receive the groomer becon and will start beeping in your head a mile away. Frankly, even without a warning, there's no excuse for hitting a groomer. If your pounding corners that fast that you can't avoid hitting a groomer, you're taking them way too fast. I be lying if I said I neve took a corner fast but take a ride one time with three of your own kids behind you and you'll have a whole new perspective on aggressive riding on tight trails, you grow up in a hurry...
Hitting a snow groomer?
- Thread starter jshbrwn234
- Start date
sledaholic
Member
communicators are great for telling you when a groomer is coming I love mine for that. As long as the groomer has the beacon on
freezinbevr
New member
About 4 years ago we were heading back to the hotel at the end of a 3 day trip. 5 miles to go til they are on the trailer and ready for home.
My bud, we'll call him Bill, was leading when we came up behind a groomer. He was following a little close to the drag and was turned around looking back for whatever reason when the groomer stopped to let the group pass. Funniest damn thing I've seen was his face after he crushed his hood/dash in at 5 mph!!!
If I remember correctly, $2 grand in damge. We still raz him to this day bout dat one!
Keep your eye on the drag/ be SAFE!
My bud, we'll call him Bill, was leading when we came up behind a groomer. He was following a little close to the drag and was turned around looking back for whatever reason when the groomer stopped to let the group pass. Funniest damn thing I've seen was his face after he crushed his hood/dash in at 5 mph!!!
If I remember correctly, $2 grand in damge. We still raz him to this day bout dat one!
Keep your eye on the drag/ be SAFE!
L
lenny
Guest
I was grooming trail 13 from Twin Lakes heading towards Greenland. I was pulling up a steep hill and a guy came sliding around the corner. Attempted a few maneuvers but couldn't pull it off. He slid into the blade and flipped over into the bank. He didn't get hurt because he slowed from probably 45 to 10 mph before impact. I have seen the guy a few times since at places and he is cool, just made a mistake. It was about 4:30 in the afternoon.
Years back me and a buddy were up riding around the Houghton area at night and came across a guy that apparently didn't like his sled any more. It was buried under the blade and one of the tracks of the groomer. The only thing you could see of it was the very back of the seat, tail light, and flap. I don't know how it happened or if anyone got hurt because the cops were already there and flagging people through. I don't remember where we were but the trail was really wide and straight. I think it was a rail grade. We could see the groomer for a long ways off, it looked like a Christmas tree it had so many lights on it.
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
I have 2 stories. Next time you are at the Foothills in Silver City, ask the owner to bring out a picture of when a woman hit the groomer he was driving as it was going up the hill towards Lake of the Clouds, it's amazing. She was coming down the hill and thought the groomer lights were 2 sleds spread out and she was going to go right between them. She slammed right in to the groomer blade and was thrown into the windshield, cracking it badly. She did survive, but it's an amazing story and pictures.
The other story was from about 10 years ago or so on trail 1 on the west side of Lake Gogebic. I was riding with my wife and 2 kids when we saw what looked like the groomer had gone of the trail a little and got stuck bad. As we proceeded south on 1, I noticed the trail was freshly groomed, but there was about a 15" deep rut in the trail. We finally came upon the groomer and it was pulling a smashed sled and the track was locked making the rut in the trail. As the trail came out on Hwy M-64 near the Fisherman, there was an ambulance waiting. It ends up the guy had run right into the front of the groomer and was killed. Back then, they had those CAT groomers with tracks and a long front nose with no blade. The guy got lodged right up under the groomer and was crushed. It was snowing pretty hard, but we could see the groomer lights and flashers from a long ways away, I can't imagine what the guy was thinking. It was tough on my young kids and was very weird to come across a fatality like that on the trail. I'll never forget it.
The other story was from about 10 years ago or so on trail 1 on the west side of Lake Gogebic. I was riding with my wife and 2 kids when we saw what looked like the groomer had gone of the trail a little and got stuck bad. As we proceeded south on 1, I noticed the trail was freshly groomed, but there was about a 15" deep rut in the trail. We finally came upon the groomer and it was pulling a smashed sled and the track was locked making the rut in the trail. As the trail came out on Hwy M-64 near the Fisherman, there was an ambulance waiting. It ends up the guy had run right into the front of the groomer and was killed. Back then, they had those CAT groomers with tracks and a long front nose with no blade. The guy got lodged right up under the groomer and was crushed. It was snowing pretty hard, but we could see the groomer lights and flashers from a long ways away, I can't imagine what the guy was thinking. It was tough on my young kids and was very weird to come across a fatality like that on the trail. I'll never forget it.
favoritos
Well-known member
mspease
We have talked to Jerry up at the Foothills about that accident. Still amazed that she lived.
Sorry to hear about the one by the lake. I have to agree, what was the person thinking?
I have noticed over the past few years that the groomers are stopping when sleds get close. They did not do that as often in the past.
We have talked to Jerry up at the Foothills about that accident. Still amazed that she lived.
Sorry to hear about the one by the lake. I have to agree, what was the person thinking?
I have noticed over the past few years that the groomers are stopping when sleds get close. They did not do that as often in the past.
So are they running Sea and Snow in the groomer? Sorry had to, but shouldn't have!
Running Bear
New member
2005 started driving the groomer for watersmeet being a girl they had me start out doing the day runs in the high traffic areas...wow was I suprised.... never thought so amny snowmobilers would have no idea of what to do when the groomer is coming. Pretty scarry during the day lots of close calls. Came around a sharp corner to have 5 guys coming right at me...all I could do is push in the clutch grab the wheel tight and hope for the best. The guys had to bale or it would have been a messy head on....there were guys in the ditch...trees....freeking everywhere but when everyone came to a stop no one was hurt not even a sled wrecked....spent time getting everyone back on the trail...and went on my way..... Pretty shocking what can happen when driving the groomer
favoritos
Well-known member
Must be how boondocking came about.
J/K. Not to make light of the subject, but I can imagine that it is a little stressful running the groomer.
We have seen quite a few close calls with sleds and there is plenty of room to get around each other.
snow_monkey
New member
I just read a thread the other day where the guy said he thought 45mph was way to slow for the trails. Is it too slow when rounding a tight corner with the groomer coming the other way? I have had a few close calls but would like to belive I have control of my snow rocket at all times. I think riding at a higher speed is ok but you allways need to leave yourself with options in the worst case scenario. Most in my group like to follow more than lead and we have had a few close calls over the years but everyone gets home safe.
A couple years ago a buddy of mine hit a groomer coming around a corner too fast (the sled-not the groomer). He was able to slow down enough where he glanced off the blade and planted himself in the snow and had only minor damage to the sled. I believe this was trail 124 in Keweenaw and the groomer said that he had been grooming for something like 15 years and this was the first time anyone had ever hit him. The next nite this buddy launched himself after hitting some trail debris and fractured a rib. Even though it was 24 hours later, that's probably the mildest punishment for hitting a groomer. He's not hitting any more groomers - we have him on tranquillizers and a leash.
Ted
Ted
a few years back on our way to lake of the clouds from watersmeet. we had stopped at the establishment just below the climb up the hill . talked to Lady there about how bad trail was. huge mogals. she had said on two different occasions that someone had hit the groomer. after the second one they shut it down. both sledders had hit the windshield. on our way back we had seen the groomer. (took pics. but cant find right now) there were two different spots where you could see where the windshield had been damaged. i think they had to been moving along pretty good to have the damage as high as it was on the windshield. not good scene.
anonomoose
New member
This is exactly my thoughts on this....too!
Going around a corner exceeding your limits of vision, roaring down the trail so fast you can't stop for a groomer?? This is akin to rolling the dice...isn't it? Actually the lead guy can go a long way to preventing accidents if he warns oncoming traffic. But how many times have you seen the signal for 4 sleds, and the lead rider is well in front, only to see the next guy driving with total reckless abandonment to "catch up". You can tell they are totally surprised as they ---slide by---as their eyes are as big as saucers.
Frankly this thread goes a long way to demonstrate that way too many sledders are willing to take a chance casting caution to the wind and take the "I'm the only sledder on the trail" attitude. Flat out scares me. I often take young, or new POTENTIAL snowmobilers with me. I feel that it is a good thing to introduce them to a fun sport, but I school them very hard on what a corner is, and what your safety zone is, and issues about deer, sticks/limbs falling overnight after a nice soft snowfall, and anything else I can think of so that they are "mentally" prepared for just about anything. It is important...and I make the discussion a serious one.
But frankly I find more and more, that I do as the locals do, and that is to stay off trail FAR more on the weekends and simply don't take the chance that my entrusted niece or nephew, or youngster might get hurt participating in a sport I enjoy, but know is somewhat dangerous....
And then, at a rest stop, after watching some speedsters go by in the other direction after a 20 mile run, and pointing out the flaws...inevitably the newbie always says, "did you see those guys.....??" And I tell them, THAT'S WHY WE OFF TRAIL MORE THAN NOT.
More important to make it home in one piece at night...cause your Mom, Dad, sister, brother, wife, children, dog....depend on it. If any of them got hurt I couldn't forgive myself, and would forever take away from me what I love about this stuff.
HIGHLANDER
New member
That road is always a high speed run, but wide open, unless snow dust is blocking your vision or it happened around one of the corners,
lookin4snow
New member
Moose,
Can't say that I disagree with anything that you said. One thing that has not been mentioned in this thread though, is that when you meet a sled on a corner or hill, he/she get's half the trail and I get half the trail. If I stay right and he/she stays right, all is good. When you meet the groomer, he/she gets ALL the trail - the sledder has no place to go. Just another reason when in hill terrain or blind corner territory that the leader has a lot of responsibility. I ride fast and responsible - you can do both. I have never come close to hitting a groomer.
Can't say that I disagree with anything that you said. One thing that has not been mentioned in this thread though, is that when you meet a sled on a corner or hill, he/she get's half the trail and I get half the trail. If I stay right and he/she stays right, all is good. When you meet the groomer, he/she gets ALL the trail - the sledder has no place to go. Just another reason when in hill terrain or blind corner territory that the leader has a lot of responsibility. I ride fast and responsible - you can do both. I have never come close to hitting a groomer.
bouncer
Member
When your out on the trail you see a lot of different trail signs alerting you to potential dangers. How about a CAUTION GROOMER sign on every corner? I know it's like crying wolf but at least it might make a person think twice. Thus keeping the possibility of one being there fresh in mind.
Another idea would be a legal paper sized light sensitive or reflective marker placed on the starts of a corner. Higher up and back a little so nobody takes it out. A groomer coming from the other direction could flash this marker alerting his presents. Even during the day a lazer light might be seen but would have to be tested.
Another idea would be a legal paper sized light sensitive or reflective marker placed on the starts of a corner. Higher up and back a little so nobody takes it out. A groomer coming from the other direction could flash this marker alerting his presents. Even during the day a lazer light might be seen but would have to be tested.
jshbrwn234
New member
Hey Fshgrnd......cant wait for the trip to BC!!!!! I look forward to this trip year round. It is going to be sick!!!
Thanks for all the stories all, especially from the groomers themselves but I have a confession to make....this was not a story I heard, this happenend to a buddy of mine and I was behind him. We were taking a corner in mid day and sure enough, a snow groomer appears out of nowhere. Lucky enough, he only broke his hand. I thought he was the only one this ever happenend to, I now know it is more common than I thought.
I see a lot of posts saying it is reckless riders that this happens to and a lot that say it can happen because these things take up the entire trail and coming over a hill or a turn in mid day, it can happen to anyone. I totally disagree that it is only reckless riders that this happens to.
I know from experience that it can happen no matter how careful you are going around turns....(unless you basically come to a complete stop at every turn and putt putt your way around every corner, which I have never seen anyone do). Like one poster said, we ride hard but also ride safe. All you can do is stay as far right as possible to avoid the snowmobilers but if there is a groomer there you are out of luck.
Thanks for all the stories all, especially from the groomers themselves but I have a confession to make....this was not a story I heard, this happenend to a buddy of mine and I was behind him. We were taking a corner in mid day and sure enough, a snow groomer appears out of nowhere. Lucky enough, he only broke his hand. I thought he was the only one this ever happenend to, I now know it is more common than I thought.
I see a lot of posts saying it is reckless riders that this happens to and a lot that say it can happen because these things take up the entire trail and coming over a hill or a turn in mid day, it can happen to anyone. I totally disagree that it is only reckless riders that this happens to.
I know from experience that it can happen no matter how careful you are going around turns....(unless you basically come to a complete stop at every turn and putt putt your way around every corner, which I have never seen anyone do). Like one poster said, we ride hard but also ride safe. All you can do is stay as far right as possible to avoid the snowmobilers but if there is a groomer there you are out of luck.