Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Grooming Society

Kaz Dog

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A motion was made and passed at the January 15, 2013 meeting of the Calgary Snowmobile Club (C.S.C.) to establish a commitee of the club as the "Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Grooming Society". The goal of this committee is to work toward the establishment and have on-going grooming of the trails of the Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area, as currently laid out by the provicial goverment. Since the government did not groom last season and is not grooming this season, members of the the C.S.C. adopted a mandate to put forward a comprehensive plan to the government to re-establish grooming of the trails, BY THE GROOMING SOCIETY/C.S.C..

Any member of the public that is interest in this mandate, whether a member currently of the C.S.C. or not, would be welcome to join in with those working to re-establish the grooming. As of this date, there are six C.S.C. members and three non-members meeting and working toward this goal. Please private message me about the next upcoming meeting of the society, or any ideas you would like brought up at the meeting.

This will be a very involved undertaking, and we realize that having the funds to reach this goal, after our plan is approved, is most important. Assistance and ideas in this area are greatly appreciated.
 
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catinthehat

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A motion was made and passed at the February 15, 2013 meeting of the Calgary Snowmobile Club (C.S.C.) to establish a commitee of the club as the "Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Grooming Society". The goal of this committee is to work toward the establishment and have on-going grooming of the trails of the Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area, as currently laid out by the provicial goverment. Since the government did not groom last season and is not grooming this season, members of the the C.S.C. adopted a mandate to put forward a comprehensive plan to the government to re-establish grooming of the trails, BY THE GROOMING SOCIETY/C.S.C..

Any member of the public that is interest in this mandate, whether a member currently of the C.S.C. or not, would be welcome to join in with those working to re-establish the grooming. As of this date, there are six C.S.C. members and three non-members meeting and working toward this goal. Please private message me about the next upcoming meeting of the society, or any ideas you would like brought up at the meeting.

This will be a very involved undertaking, and we realize that having the funds to reach this goal, after our plan is approved, is most important. Assistance and ideas in this area are greatly appreciated.
Either you have a time machine or you got the date of your meeting wrong.
 

Kaz Dog

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good editing......I thought I proof read it well but......January 15, 2013!
 

Kaz Dog

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Just wanted to post a quick snapshot of the trail safety check and maintenance completed on Sunday, January 20. Three members of the Grooming Society spent a collective 21 hours transversing approximately 65 kms.

Downed large logs were removed from Raspberry Pass Trail (valley bottom), Skyline Trial, and Oyster Excursion Trail (south end) which straightened and/or widened the trail to full width. Low leaning trees across the trails and those "crowding" the trails causing trail narrowing were attended to on Baril Loop Trail, Raspberry Pass Trail, Cummings Creek Trail (only to -->), Skyline Trail, Pasque Trail (only to -->), and Oyster Exqursion Trail. The days ride ended with traveling north to Fallers Trail, Catarack Creek Trail (west of <--), and Etherington Trail. Signage was generally found to be good, with a few notes to make trails more clearly marked for first timers, turns, and brush cut back/repaint.

If anyone knows of an area or areas of the trail system that require attention, please let me know. We will be out soon again to check further trails.
 

Kaz Dog

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Two of us will be out on Sunday to continue where we left off last weekend. We will be leaving the Etherington Parking lot at 10 AM if anyone would like to join us.
 

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Kaz, I probably won't be able to make it. Who is going with you? Are you looking at other trails than we did last week?
 

Kaz Dog

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Ed from the club is coming along, not sure if you know him yet. Yep, picking up where we left off last weekend, trails on the "east side" of the area.

Kaz, I probably won't be able to make it. Who is going with you? Are you looking at other trails than we did last week?
 

Kaz Dog

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Just wanted to post a quick snapshot of the trail safety check and maintenance completed on Sunday, January 27. Two members of the Grooming Society spent a collective 9 hours transversing approximately 50 kms.

Downed large logs were removed from Cataract Creek Trial (near the parking lot), and Cummings Creek Trial which straightened and/or widened the trail to full width. Low leaning trees across the trails and those "crowding" the trails causing trail narrowing were attended to on Valley Bottom Trail, Cataract Creek Trail (only to -->), Wilkinson Summit Trail, Pasque Trial (only to Skyline Trial), Cummings Creek Trial, and Raspberry Pass Trial (upper loop). Signage was generally found to be good, with a few notes to make trails more clearly marked for turns and some signs markers need repainting.

As of now, there have been very few trails not traveled for safety and maintenance. Logger's Trail is the last marked trail to be done, as well as a few connecting trails. If anyone knows of an area or areas of the trail system that require attention, please let me know.

The snow conditions were very favourable, with a touch of grooming to knock down the whoopty-doo's preferrable/needed. The dream continues.....
 

Kaz Dog

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Just an update for now:

Volunteers have come forward, fundraising is being pursued, and government contacts have been undertaken. We have organized under a 2-3 year plan, depending on fundraising, to have a groomer at the area.

For people interested in working on trial maintenance, we will have dates this fall or early winter to get to the trails before, or just before, the snow falls. Leave a message on this thread or PM me if you would like to help out.
 

Kaz Dog

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I found an entry on a facebook site to do with trails/grooming and thought it provided some perspective for charging trails/grooming fees here in Alberta:

"One Week Left for the Permit price at 210$ then it goes up to 260$ If you plan on riding in my area (Dubreuilville Alouettes Snowmobile Club) Please support us, We need help as we are a small Club in a town of about 800 population, We need to 50 permits sold to stay in good standing with the OFSC, Each clubs needs to sell that minimum. I know it`s a Plug for my club but we need to do everything to survive. Thank you all that have supported our small club over the years!!!! ........ One good News for our club.... I will tell you now before I post on my blog.... the 100 miles Loop is back for this winter. !!!!!"

I believe this is in Ontario: OFSC-Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs........kind of makes our $60 request, through the Alberta Snowmobile Assoiciation (A.S.A.), an incredible deal, which it is.
 
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Kaz Dog

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(From November 22, 2013, and I thought I would post it here in keeping with efforts to have grooming of trails re-started at C.C.S.A.)

OFFICIAL: SAFETY AND TRAIL MAINTENANCE DAYS for Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area

When: Sunday, December 1, and Saturday, December 7. We leave the staging point at 10 AM.

Where: At this time, we will plan to meet at the Cataract Creek P.R.A. parking lot, as the Etherington Creek P.R.A. is gated and locked.

What to bring: Your licensed snowmobile - trailer to haul equipment, if you have one
Equipment you are trained/confident in handling for tree removal from the trail, including but not limited to;
Good pair of leather gloves, Chainsaw, log roller, bow/hand saw, long pry bar.
Safety Equipment: an FSR radio for communication, S.P.O.T. device/satellite phone (if you have one), basic first aid kit.
Other: Camera, water container (full-you will need it), trail snack, small notepad/pencil.

What we have for you: After-Work BBQ and Beverages
- the Calgary Snowmobile Club will be providing hamburgers and hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages.

In the past 10 days, a lot has been able to happened with the opening of the 940 Forestry Truck Road, and the cumulative efforts of our government and club personnel. Of note is trail inspection days that will be completed prior to Dec. 1. An ESRD official and I, at the least, will access as much of the trail system as possible, which will set a plan up for the morning of Dec. 1.

Please PM me to let me know if you are able to join in, and I will keep you advised of any and all plans/changes for the day(s).
 
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Polar_RMK

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Had a wonderful ride with you guys today, weather was nice, people were cool, and sleds were hot :).
Hope will ride with you another day.
Best Regards Julia & Alex
We will try posting photos from today here
 
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