sticks, stones & other things

[reese9]

Being a groomer operator, one thing I have consistently noticed is after a big wind and snow storm there is always obstuctions on the trail. Have never had even one snowmobiler stop and remove them, just ride around or over the obstruction and leave it for the groomer drivers to remove.
We do not mind removing the big items, most groomers have a chain saw with them and will do this, but how about giving us a hand and removing the small items, its a real pain in the ---- to have to stop often and then regain our momentum and keep the good ribbon going.
I know of one young person who died from a large branch that came up from the rider in front of him and went through his face shield into his head.
For those who do stop and remove items from the trail, We all thank you for it.

 

[Deleted member 10829]

That would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath! I notice the same things. But what really makes me mad happened the other night. We had a warm up here a few days ago, so the snow was soft. I went out and groomed at night and rode the trails the next morning. Not many sleds had been down the trail since I groomed it, yet every, and I mean every corner was completely blown out and right down to the grass or dirt. What is wrong with some people? I spend 6 hours at night in a groomer and it's not so a couple of idiots can wreck the trail for everyone else.

 

[goofy600]

I was thinking about the same thing. Can't stop for all but try to get some of the big stuff. If everyone could just stop and grab one or two it would help a lot.

 

[xcr440]

If everyone could just stop and grab one or two it would help a lot.

This is what I do. I almost ALWAYS find something on the trail in the course of 100 miles, and I'll stop for a couple along the way, but not all I see.

 

[halfpint]

I totally agree, I always think to myself when i see something on the trail Wow that could cause some damage to someone or someones sled, so i stop.

 

[surgin]

That would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath! I notice the same things. But what really makes me mad happened the other night. We had a warm up here a few days ago, so the snow was soft. I went out and groomed at night and rode the trails the next morning. Not many sleds had been down the trail since I groomed it, yet every, and I mean every corner was completely blown out and right down to the grass or dirt. What is wrong with some people? I spend 6 hours at night in a groomer and it's not so a couple of idiots can wreck the trail for everyone else.

would those guys that blow out your freshly groomed corners be the same guys that will spin huge mounds up at the stops signs or even during trail stops?? I suspect so. Guess they paid their sticker fee and won't be back that way... so they just don't care... doubt they will stop to remove the branches either....

 

[doogirl]

Thank you for all the work that you do. I have the same opinion as you that it should be everyones job to help keep the trails clean. Drives my husband nuts as I stop while we are riding to throw stuff off the trails. But hey, I wouldn't want to hit that stick at night, why not throw it off now. I also think it sets a good example for the younger riders we have in our group.

 

[xcr440]

would those guys that blow out your freshly groomed corners be the same guys that will spin huge mounds up at the stops signs or even during trail stops?? I suspect so. Guess they paid their sticker fee and won't be back that way... so they just don't care... doubt they will stop to remove the branches either....

LOL, these are probably the same guys from last week where they left their tracks into a barbed wire fence, and less than a mile later, into a pine tree (Yes, it was the same sled tracks, I was following them). Idiots abound out there, and they don't learn a lesson very quickly.

 

[russholio]

LOL, these are probably the same guys from last week where they left their tracks into a barbed wire fence, and less than a mile later, into a pine tree (Yes, it was the same sled tracks, I was following them). Idiots abound out there, and they don't learn a lesson very quickly.

They're entitled, doncha know. They paid their fees, they're entitled to use the trail as their personal race track, and to heck with everyone else.

 

[LoveMyDobe]

We always pick stuff off the trails, winter and summer. Guess since Hubby was a groomer til this year, ya kinda know better.

 

[snoduke88]

I have stopped many times to remove a rock. Rocks get under pan and leave a grove. Also if groomed two ways I try to ride ridge that is between ribbons.

 

[6mile]

The group I ride with always picks up stuff on the trail and dispose of properly. one year between south range and the bug bar I picked up a Hat, Saw, Goggles a couple sticks that got chucked into the woods, Then a bit further down the trail a belt and then a camera. By the time I got to the Bug bar I had about 9 things I had picked up. Sure enough there was Ski-Doo that had a bag that was mostly unzipped. Went inside and asked if anyone had lost any of the goodies that I had in my arms. Needless to say the guy was thankful. picked up his yard sale he left in his wake.

 

[snobuilder]

The group I ride with always picks up stuff on the trail and dispose of properly. one year between south range and the bug bar I picked up a Hat, Saw, Goggles a couple sticks that got chucked into the woods, Then a bit further down the trail a belt and then a camera. By the time I got to the Bug bar I had about 9 things I had picked up. Sure enough there was Ski-Doo that had a bag that was mostly unzipped. Went inside and asked if anyone had lost any of the goodies that I had in my arms. Needless to say the guy was thankful. picked up his yard sale he left in his wake.

did he ask about the pot?....LOL

I will stop and clean up if I am not 100 yards past it before I can come to a stop....

 

[renegade]

Our group is the same way. But we are very active club members and brush during the off season too. Guess it is just habit.

 

[sixball]

I jump on people in our group all the time for ripping corners. Even if you think you are fast, smooth is fast. a spinning track is losing speed.

 

[Sno-Bandit Gary]

I am a groomer operator as well and I hear all of you. Gets frustrating some times. People I ride with give me crap that when we are out riding I'm always stopping to pick up stuff or straighten out signs..... not necessarily on our trails..... .they say I never stop trail maintenance.......but they are coming around and now they are starting to do the same thing.....they want to see if they can catch it before I do....pretty funny!!
Everyone can lend a hand and make it safer for us all!!!! He who has the cleanest and safest trail wins for everyone!!


Happy Trails!

 

[harski]

I'm trying to teach my nephew this. Especially since he's riding my equipment! I'll try to pick up as much as possible. May not get everything but will make a good attempt. Every little bit should make a difference.

Harski

 

[uncle_ed]

I only stop for windshield bags.........

Funny this thread popped up as I was out this past weekend with my nephew and his girlfriend and hit a stretch of trail with several large blow down branches that were mashed down into the snow already that I stopped and tossed off the trail. I am an MSA member and have kicked around joining a smaller local club and was thinking at the time this is the kind of thing I can do to help out in the meantime!

 

[1-snowbullet]

Sunday By rib falls by wausau wi Me and a bud were scopping out the trails for our ride from Wausau Area to Houghton Leaving early New Years Day ..We were buzzing threw the woods and there was a sled at the side of the trail Next To a Rock in the middle of the trail The size of a persons Head .. we got it out of there took 2 of us and tossed it off the trail .. this is somthing me my buds and the club i belong to do .. its common sence sorry spelling enjoy the trails..

 

[Team Elkhorn]

I used to do it all the time. Especially when our kids were growing up. Figuring they would be the ones to hit the stuff. Then for a while afterwards, I adopted my favorite section of trail and kept that clean. When I had people coming up to ride I would even check and clear the trail the night before so we would have a nice ride in the morning. Until one morning, like mspease mentioned above, someone destroyed the trail after the groomer went though. Every corner was trashed. There were trenches dug down to bare ground kicking rocks back up. It even looked like they pulled branches and stuff back onto the trail. No doubt, they trashed it on purpose. Now, I still carry a folding tree saw and I'll remove larger stuff if I feel like stopping, but thats about the extent of it. I can't even begin to imagine what snowmobiling will be like in 15 years.