Cataract Creek Snow Vehicle riding area official section 2017/18

[TylerG]

Was out at Cataract this weekend, snow on the right edge coming and going was overwhelmingly good. The trail is 12 feet wide, and I see all the tracks single, down the middle, and do not understand this. If people spread full width, you can get three snowmobiles side-by-side on most of the trails.
Cummings Trail on the north end (starting just off Cataract Creek Trail) was rough, but the South half of the trail climbing higher was great. Pasque Trail was good too. Then we went south on the Lost Creek Road to Oldman Falls, and the road was smooth. Played in 2-5 feet of powder in the play fields in Oyster Creek and the Oldman River. A great weekend, except for the broken-off ski down at the Falls area, and limping home, two sleds together like a side car, A-arm sitting on a log on the tunnel stiffener. Fun times!

man you're hard on your equipment this year Scott!

 

[Bunn]

That's two weekends in a row of broken sleds Scott. Was it your sled or someone else's?

 

[Sledderglen]

Was out at Cataract this weekend, snow on the right edge coming and going was overwhelmingly good. The trail is 12 feet wide, and I see all the tracks single, down the middle, and do not understand this. If people spread full width, you can get three snowmobiles side-by-side on most of the trails.
Cummings Trail on the north end (starting just off Cataract Creek Trail) was rough, but the South half of the trail climbing higher was great. Pasque Trail was good too. Then we went south on the Lost Creek Road to Oldman Falls, and the road was smooth. Played in 2-5 feet of powder in the play fields in Oyster Creek and the Oldman River. A great weekend, except for the broken-off ski down at the Falls area, and limping home, two sleds together like a side car, A-arm sitting on a log on the tunnel stiffener. Fun times!

They make parts everyday. Thats why you need to be cautious playing off trail in those cutblocks. One reason why we recommend stay on the trails or be aware when off.

Lots of thing go on out there some good, bad and very sad.

 

[retiredpop]

Thanks for the update Scott. Heading there tomorrow with the grandkids. One is riding her own sled solo this year.
How is the snow holding up around the staging area?

 

[keyboardjockey]

The word Cataract originally came from the word Catawreck, the new word has a more positive feeling to it!!

 

[Kaz Dog]

That's two weekends in a row of broken sleds Scott. Was it your sled or someone else's?

I am thinking that I may be bad luck to ride with..............

Not my sled either time. This time it was a rental sled my buddy’s son did in, coming out of a washout with big powder, but not enough - apparently. He had jumped a Summit off of a ledge about 4 feet down into 4-5 feet of powder, and was coming out to do it again when he must have hit something pretty solid under the snow - at the edge of the washout “wall”. A big “bang”, I am told, then he stops dead.
I was glad my farmer buddy was there, as he figured out a way to bring that rental sled back then, rather than coming back for it. I believe my sled is no worse for wear, having the A-arm tied to my running board where my tunnel stiffener is. The ole ‘07 Rev Summit of mine shines again!

 

[Sledderglen]

Thanks for the update Scott. Heading there tomorrow with the grandkids. One is riding her own sled solo this year.
How is the snow holding up around the staging area?

Snow is still good but getting rough. The grooming program took a hit. Operator going back to work and other drinking Rum in Cuba as well as warm temperatures during the day. These all have a impact on smooth trails.

 

[catrutt]

Are they going to groom this week at all?

 

[TylerG]

Are they going to groom this week at all?

I would say probably not, Sledderglen's getting ready to go back to work, and the other dude is drinking rum on a beach somewhere....... Speaks to why we as clubs are always asking for people to step up and get involved...... also as weather warms up as has been stated many times, a groom is a waste of money as the snow just rolls.

 

[Sledderglen]

I would say probably not, Sledderglen's getting ready to go back to work, and the other dude is drinking rum on a beach somewhere....... Speaks to why we as clubs are always asking for people to step up and get involved...... also as weather warms up as has been stated many times, a groom is a waste of money as the snow just rolls.

Thank you Tyler.You nailed it right on the head

 

[Sledderglen]

Are they going to groom this week at all?

Thanks for asking.
Tyler answered the question. There are a number of reason for no grooming this week or possible any more this season.

1 I have a contract to work for a 1 1/2 months cant make it out there this week.
2 Other grooming team is on holidays.
3 Its to warm during the day and this year we cant groom all night when its colder
4 We added up our costs and we are already over budget on our fuel costs.
5 Volunteers that can work during the week away for 12 hrs at a time are rare and Im happy to have the couple i have. Thanks Mike and Dave.

Its not that we dont want to be out there but we are running low on a number of important factors to make it happen. We have done a great job over the last 20 weeks of packing, setting,and grooming the trails.
We love the support that we have received this season and will be right back at it next season for sure. For those who may not know our season never ends it just changes. Spring is coming fast and we have things to do before the big melt then summer with trail signage upgrading and trees trimming as well as trail maintenance into the fall. Oct/November we start again to pack and set trail for the opening day of December 1st and we are back into our grooming program till spring or we run out of dollars or volunteers. This is our first year of a full trail grooming program and we are in a learning stage still setting budgets for fuel and repairs. We are up to about $6000.00 dollars of gas/diesel this year including fuel that was donated from supporters and riders using the trail. Trails cost money and this doesn't include the money needed to upkeep equipment, insurance and future expenses for repairs. Our main source of funding comes fro the sale of trail passes and memberships. We have been doing a great job with the trails up to this point but time has come to make some limits.

If the snow holds and the weather stays cold you never now. Grooming team 2 may want to cool off after soaking up all that sun in Cuba and may groom again. Time and the weather will tell

 

[Eldereldo]

Any idea on the number of riders this year? Are you able to charge a fixed fee for riders who don’t have a membership. Here in BC pretty much anywhere that grooms there is a $20 day pass if no membership. Guess it depends on whether there is enough people coming out to use the trails to make it worth having someone collecting.

 

[Kaz Dog]

Any idea on the number of riders this year? Are you able to charge a fixed fee for riders who don’t have a membership. Here in BC pretty much anywhere that grooms there is a $20 day pass if no membership. Guess it depends on whether there is enough people coming out to use the trails to make it worth having someone collecting.

Elderado, BC and AB are polar opposites when it comes to snowmobile recreation and charging trail fees on Public Land. AB does not allow for it, so it is all donated money and club fees/ASA voluntary Trail Passes that raise the money.

 

[catrutt]

Thanks for all the hard work on the trails this year! I will be buying a membership again. Also will volunteer for trail maintenance when called for. Thanks again.

 

[retiredpop]

Elderado, BC and AB are polar opposites when it comes to snowmobile recreation and charging trail fees on Public Land. AB does not allow for it, so it is all donated money and club fees/ASA voluntary Trail Passes that raise the money.

It sure would be nice if at least our license plate fees would go towards the sport instead of into general revenue. I've written many letters to various MLAs and ministers but they just quote the existing legislation. I'm not sure if the ASA brings this up to government on a regular basis or not but they should keep at it like the enviro-natzis do regarding land closures.

 

[Ronaha]

It sure would be nice if at least our license plate fees would go towards the sport instead of into general revenue. I've written many letters to various MLAs and ministers but they just quote the existing legislation. I'm not sure if the ASA brings this up to government on a regular basis or not but they should keep at it like the enviro-natzis do regarding land closures.

Apparently sometimes it does. Registration funds were used for the Iron Horse Trail in Alberta, but yeah there's a long way to go, and that was with a previous friendlier government.

 

[JMCX]

Does anyone think yoh could still get a decent ride out there this weekend?

 

[calgarysledguy]

Does anyone think yoh could still get a decent ride out there this weekend?

Shouldn't have any issues riding this weekend. I was out Friday and Saturday last week and tons of snow. One day out of Etherington and one out of Cataract.

CO,s were out on sleds pounding trails checking paperwork so make sure you have your stuff in order.

Anyone riding tomorrow?

 

[catrutt]

They just like riding for work... wish i could do that.

 

[mower]

bad nytroparts