Official Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Thread for 2019/20 season

ryanb40

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Going to try to take the kiddies out for a little trail ride tomorrow. Any idea what trail conditions are? Has it been groomed recently? Any info would be greatly appreciated!!
 

AxysAssault

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Sorry, little late reply.

Trails from Etherington were pretty good, even on a snowbike. We've ridden worse that's for sure.

The creeks are still open on the route to Fording.....which is tricky to cross on a bike! Haha.
 

Eldereldo

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Just a note to anyone heading to Fording, that trail passes thru the park, you must remain on the trail until you get to Fording, there are sections of it that are tempting to leave and play in meadows etc, but doing so jeopardizes future access.
 

ryanb40

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Sorry, little late reply.

Trails from Etherington were pretty good, even on a snowbike. We've ridden worse that's for sure.

The creeks are still open on the route to Fording.....which is tricky to cross on a bike! Haha.
No worries thanks for the reply!
We went out on Sunday for a little rip. Everybody had a good time. I've still never been far enough to get to fording. I will have to give it a shot this year. How has the snow been in there?
 

AxysAssault

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No worries thanks for the reply!
We went out on Sunday for a little rip. Everybody had a good time. I've still never been far enough to get to fording. I will have to give it a shot this year. How has the snow been in there?
I highly suggest going with someone who's has been there before, as we did.
We would have never found our way there, or continued after the trail turned to grass and rock haha. It's also a pretty good jaunt in there, with some steep climbs.
Smashed my timbersled chaincase cover on a rock.....on the trail .

The snow was pretty decent, although there was a crust about 12-18" down that sucked to break through lol.
We didn't probe, but the snow depth varied from a couple feet, to grass still poking through.
Great in the trees!

20191213_132041.jpg
 

ryanb40

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I highly suggest going with someone who's has been there before, as we did.
We would have never found our way there, or continued after the trail turned to grass and rock haha. It's also a pretty good jaunt in there, with some steep climbs.
Smashed my timbersled chaincase cover on a rock.....on the trail .

The snow was pretty decent, although there was a crust about 12-18" down that sucked to break through lol.
We didn't probe, but the snow depth varied from a couple feet, to grass still poking through.
Great in the trees!

View attachment 220876
I've got a friend that's been in years ago. We will give it a shot some day. Thanks for the info!
 

SRXGuy

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[h=2]Re: Official Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Thread for 2019/20 season[/h]
I'm going to be home form work the 19th and was wanting to go for a first ride of the season on the 20th. I just need to get out and burn some fuel.
Just wondering if anyone is interested to ride the 20th as going by myself doesn't seem like the best plan..​



To Walker123. I would be interested in pairing up. What time and where would you like to meet?
 
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Reklaw

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Hey SRXguy. Unfortunately P I have to work an extra day. So won't be able to make it. Sorry bud.
 

catrutt

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Wow was there lots of great un tracked powder out there yesterday spent all day ripping it up. Does anyone know the grooming schedule ? Hoping to take the kids out on boxing day.
 

Sledderglen

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Wow was there lots of great un tracked powder out there yesterday spent all day ripping it up. Does anyone know the grooming schedule ? Hoping to take the kids out on boxing day.

Groomer guys are all volunteers. With Christmas season here now they are probably doing the family thing. Maybe after New Years.
 

catrutt

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Ok how great have the conditions been!!! We have had 4 rides over the holidays and it has been fantastic. Went to livingston today ...smooth. I got the wife to do 80 km today.
 

melnick

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Can anyone update on the status of the Valley Bottom Trail??/ Apparently there is a creek bed that the CSC wanted to "mitigate" but it was vetoed by Environment so the trail may not be passable?

And I always get lost in the campground at the Etherington end, any sure fire way of navigating the loops to come out at the PRA?

cheers
 

Grouser

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I've ridden Valley Bottom several times in and out of Etherington there is a small creek near Etherington that is no problem to get past.
Was out to Cataract today, grooming is in progress, nice job guys. I'm new here but am thinking it is a pretty great year for snow on this system.
 

melnick

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I've ridden Valley Bottom several times in and out of Etherington there is a small creek near Etherington that is no problem to get past.
Was out to Cataract today, grooming is in progress, nice job guys. I'm new here but am thinking it is a pretty great year for snow on this system.

Thanks Grouser, we'll give it a try.

You're right about the snow! Poor conditions for the last three (?) years.

And kudos to the groomer operator(s), they spend many hours at the controls and extended time away from home and family so that we can enjoy. Give 'em a wave when you see them.
 

snopro

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Probably because of the warm temps in Alberta. I would imagine the snow is disappearing out there with the chinook winds.
 

tucker_98

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Cataract snow levels have been unusually high for early season. I think most posts have been on Alberta Sledders on Facebook or the club TeamSnap app.

Been at Cataract four days since the beginning off the season, all were great snow. Haven't been out since this Chinook started though but I've seen some pics get uploaded that showed the trails to be in good shape still.
 

SnoproM8000

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Did anyone make it up the road on the weekend? Tried to go out Saturday morning the logging road was a sheet of ice and it was pouring rain.
 
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