With the snow season coming to an end we would like to express our concerns on the snowmobiles operating illegally on the cross-country ski areas. On several occasions during the 2007-2008 winter, snowmobiles have operated illegally in the Ward Lake, County Line and Skyway Nordic cross-country ski trail areas.

Just to name a few times, in February, on the Ward Lake Trail system from just west of
Ward Lake, south and west to Deep Slough, the Wild Trail and the lower trailhead at Ward Reservoir, snowmobiles crossed the trail in several places as well as ran on the trails. In December, snowmobiles unloaded at County Line parking lot and ran up the Dog Trail to Scales Lake Road.

Snowmobile operators need to be aware that riding on and across these trails at any of the three areas is illegal. Individuals could be subject to fines of up to $250 when they operate their machines in restricted Nordic Ski trail systems on the Grand Mesa National Forest.

The Nordic Ski trails are maintained by the Grand Mesa Nordic Council in cooperation with the Grand Mesa National Forest from about Nov. 15, through April 15 every year. In order to preserve a quiet and pleasurable winter experience for cross-country skiers and snowshoers, about 52 km (32 miles) of trails, encompassing approximately 8 square miles at Skyway, County Line and Ward Lake along State Highway 65, are set aside for non-motorized recreational winter used and are closed to snowmobile traffic.

This restriction applies to only a fraction of the Grand Mesa National Forest that is available for snowmobile and off-road motorized usage during the winter season.

Forest Service, snowmobile and skier maps clearly indicate the different areas of winter trail usage for snowmobile and cross-country skiing. Signs indicating the restriction of snowmobiles have been posted at Nordic Trail heads and other conspicuous places along the ski trails. Unfortunately, either more signs are needed or individuals are choosing to ignore them.

This is a safety issue. Thousands of skiers, snowshoers, families and their pets enjoy these trails each season. A snowmobile-versus-child collision would not come to a good conclusion. Tighter enforcement of the regulation and better education of the public is necessary.

The snowmobile clubs, in the area have been working to get the information to their members. But we need the help of individual snowmobilers, resort owners and snowmobile rental and retail sales businesses in western Colorado to discuss and educate other snowmobilers about the Nordic Ski trail locations and the importance of not snowmobiling in them.

There is room for all who what to use the National Forest please continue to do so legally and safely.

JOE RAMEY, President,
And members of the board
Grand Mesa Nordic Council

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 at 10:41 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.