Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Thread for 2014/15

Kaz Dog

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Well, time to share the details.....

The group of volunteers(16), operating under E.S.R.D.'s Backcountry Trails Rehabilitation Program T.F.A., accomplished quite a bit.

1) Two individuals/companies donated their Bobcats/Skid steers, and operators, which allowed the FULL EAST-WEST LENGTH OF ETHERINGTON TRAIL to be repaired and re-routed. By full length I mean from the trail head at the Etherington PRA parking lot to where Baril Loop Trail comes back to Etherington Trail further west (at this point, before Loggers Trail, Etherington Trail turns and runs North-South up over the ridge and down to Cataract Creek Trail.)

2) A team of four hardy souls went on BARIL CREEK TRAIL to the "rock wall climb" (which takes you over the pass) and removed all the debris and large stones from the trail. Needed bridge/ramp needs were noted to assist/keep sleds out of the "water" and are a high priority to have done by this Christmas.

3) BARIL LOOP TRAIL was cleared, and was in good condition. A note was made where a bit of Bobcat work could be done, and will be re-evaluated over the winter.

4) RASPBERRY TRAIL (lower/valley floor) was cleared and a re-route was completed on the north end, approx. 500 yards south of its' junction with Etherington Trail. This new re-route will be signed by Dec. 1.

5) UPPER RASPBERRY TRAIL was cleared, and is ready to go for the season.

6) The "eastern section" of CATARACT CREEK TRAIL was repaired and made a lot safer then it has been for years. By "eastern section" I mean that length of trail from Hwy 940/The Forestry Trunk Road to where Raspberry Trail begins in the south. Three erosion points, where water runoff had begun to gouge across the trail, where either filled in or the trail widened into the hill - or both.

Again, a BIG THANK YOU to those volunteers who could make it out, especially those who brought the Bobcats./Skid Steers! I know others would have like to assist as well, but do not fret, we are getting approval to do some more trail clearing/brushing near the end of November, as well as install some signs for the new re-routes.

KD
 

Sledderglen

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Well, time to share the details.....

The group of volunteers(16), operating under E.S.R.D.'s Backcountry Trails Rehabilitation Program T.F.A., accomplished quite a bit.

1) Two individuals/companies donated their Bobcats/Skid steers, and operators, which allowed the FULL EAST-WEST LENGTH OF ETHERINGTON TRAIL to be repaired and re-routed. By full length I mean from the trail head at the Etherington PRA parking lot to where Baril Loop Trail comes back to Etherington Trail further west (at this point, before Loggers Trail, Etherington Trail turns and runs North-South up over the ridge and down to Cataract Creek Trail.)

2) A team of four hardy souls went on BARIL CREEK TRAIL to the "rock wall climb" (which takes you over the pass) and removed all the debris and large stones from the trail. Needed bridge/ramp needs were noted to assist/keep sleds out of the "water" and are a high priority to have done by this Christmas.

3) BARIL LOOP TRAIL was cleared, and was in good condition. A note was made where a bit of Bobcat work could be done, and will be re-evaluated over the winter.

4) RASPBERRY TRAIL (lower/valley floor) was cleared and a re-route was completed on the north end, approx. 500 yards south of its' junction with Etherington Trail. This new re-route will be signed by Dec. 1.

5) UPPER RASPBERRY TRAIL was cleared, and is ready to go for the season.

6) The "eastern section" of CATARACT CREEK TRAIL was repaired and made a lot safer then it has been for years. By "eastern section" I mean that length of trail from Hwy 940/The Forestry Trunk Road to where Raspberry Trail begins in the south. Three erosion points, where water runoff had begun to gouge across the trail, where either filled in or the trail widened into the hill - or both.

Again, a BIG THANK YOU to those volunteers who could make it out, especially those who brought the Bobcats./Skid Steers! I know others would have like to assist as well, but do not fret, we are getting approval to do some more trail clearing/brushing near the end of November, as well as install some signs for the new re-routes.

KD

I will help you wih signage and application
 

oler1234

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Are there any plans to clean up fording pass? Hell it would be nice to even de brush the bc side so one can get into the elk valley
 

Kaz Dog

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Are there any plans to clean up fording pass? Hell it would be nice to even de brush the bc side so one can get into the elk valley

Oler, we can talk specifics about the pass, as I am not up to speed on its' needs "up there". Please PM me.

The B.C. side and the Elk Valley......our club has spoke with the Elkford club about what you are thinking, and it is on the table. With so much still to do in the C.C.S.A., it is not a high priority right now, but with the right motivated people, that could change. PM me your thoughts, or we could arrange a coffee meeting, and expedite what you are thinking.
 

Kaz Dog

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Very cold, with snow......LOL.

Not sure, as I have not been there since the Trail Maintenance Days. As the area does not open by regulation until Dec. 1, if you choose to snowmobile before that, know that the Conservation Officers are instructed to ticket users before that date.

If you are itching for the snow at C.C.S.A., I hope to announce later this week further trail maintenance on the last two weekends of this month to de-brush the trails and remove fallen and leaning trees.
 

Polar_RMK

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Very cold, with snow......LOL.

Not sure, as I have not been there since the Trail Maintenance Days. As the area does not open by regulation until Dec. 1, if you choose to snowmobile before that, know that the Conservation Officers are instructed to ticket users before that date.

If you are itching for the snow at C.C.S.A., I hope to announce later this week further trail maintenance on the last two weekends of this month to de-brush the trails and remove fallen and leaning trees.

We are ready to join you this year, we have 2 sleds now :).
How much snow we got there?
Alex & Julia
 

Kaz Dog

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We are ready to join you this year, we have 2 sleds now :).
How much snow we got there?
Alex & Julia
I will be out to the C.C.S.A. tomorrow to have a look-see for myself, so I will report on the snow after that.
 

Kaz Dog

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Did not get out to the area this weekend. Sorry, nothing to report from me.
I will be out to the C.C.S.A. tomorrow to have a look-see for myself, so I will report on the snow after that.
 

Polar_RMK

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Don't worry, let's wait a week or two, then we will help we with removing old fallen trees, etc
cheers
 

TryHonesty

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Hello,

Are we thinking of pushing trails first week of Dec and slicing and dicing firewood on anything that still needs cleared?

Thanks!
 

Highfly

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Will there be any un passable areas this year?? Did a new bridge or culvert get put in where 940 meets Pasque trail?
 

Kaz Dog

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NO TRAIL MAINTENANCE THIS WEEKEND!!!

I am officially cancelling the scheduled trail maintenance days this weekend due to the weather forecast. It looks to be around -30 each morning, with a high of -20 "sometime" during the day. I do not feel it is responsible to ask for volunteers in these conditions.

The Trail Maintenance Day is re-scheduled for Saturday, December 6. Please PM me on Snow & Mud if you would like to help out, or e-mail me at trails@calgarysnowmobileclub.net

Thank you one and all!
 

Kaz Dog

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One of two bridges were installed over the small tributary creek where 940 meets Pasque Trail. A second bridge is being built over Wilkinson Creek next summer. This winter the Calgary Snowmobile Club will install "ramping" over the open water so sleds are not in the creek.

Will there be any un passable areas this year?? Did a new bridge or culvert get put in where 940 meets Pasque trail?
 

Sledderglen

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NO TRAIL MAINTENANCE THIS WEEKEND!!!

I am officially cancelling the scheduled trail maintenance days this weekend due to the weather forecast. It looks to be around -30 each morning, with a high of -20 "sometime" during the day. I do not feel it is responsible to ask for volunteers in these conditions.

The Trail Maintenance Day is re-scheduled for Saturday, December 6. Please PM me on Snow & Mud if you would like to help out, or e-mail me at trails@calgarysnowmobileclub.net

Thank you one and all!




Good call there Scott. No need to risk anything out there in that cold. Things happen fast when its that cold. Snow and Trail will still be there next weekend
 

Kaz Dog

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FOR NEXT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6.

Thanks to all who volunteer! The plan is to clear the trails of all logs (as possible), "leaners" encroaching the trail, and cut brush/limbs back so that none encroach on the full width. To this end, if you have any or all of the following, please bring them along:

- chainsaw, with extra mixed fuel and chain oil
- handsaw
- lined leather work gloves
- snacks and water for out on the trail



Please meet at the Cataract Creek P.R.A. parking lot for 9 AM. People will be sent out in teams, as they arrive, to certain areas. Everyone will be gone from the parking lot by 10 AM. We will meet back between 3 - 4 PM (latest) for a burgers and smokies.

E-mail me at trails@calgarysnowmobileclub.net is you are attending so I may have enough food & beverages. Thanks!
 
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