Snowmobile trails tracked, grooming may begin soon

CORNER BROOK - Abiding by the adage that you have to build a road before you can pave it, the Western Sno-Riders are preparing trails in the area.

What a difference a week's snow makes in terms of trail readiness for snowmobiling. Just over a week ago, the conditions were described as rough at best. Last week, the groomer was trudging through banks of snow that half buried the machine as the trails were being "tracked" in the region.

"The trails are pretty good right now," Roger Beck, groomer co-ordinator, told The Western Star on Friday.

"We have a decent amount of snow. It was actually unbelievable how much snow we had in places. We didn't get any large drifts that we had a problem with and there was no place we couldn't go on through. With fresh snow you sink into it and, when you look out and the snow is half way up the side window of the groomer, you know you are in deep snow.

"But she will go on through, you just have to be careful you don't hook any rocks or anything."

Beck anticipated the trails would be all tracked early this week, setting the stage for the actual grooming to begin.

This year the group has a new operator and they have been punching long days, and nights, to get the trails ready for the season.

"We are building our trail. We are dozing in the holes and padding them in with the tracks. That's how it's done.

"It makes a good trail. Sometimes people think we already have it groomed, but they should still proceed with caution."

On Monday, with a steady week of tracking under their belts, Donnie O'Keefe, the Western Sno-Riders executive director, said most of the trails were tracked in. They had hoped to get at the grooming this week, but now mild temperatures and the threat of rain are hindering those plans.

"Our intentions were to start operation Monday or today, in terms of taking the drag with us," O'Keefe said. "But, due to the weather and temperatures over the next few days, I am going to say that unless we get below zero temperatures - because ideal grooming conditions are -5 C - over the next three days, the groomers may not move. Even if they do, it may be just filling in some holes and follow-up maintenance."

While rain would delay the start of the grooming, O'Keefe said night time temperatures may remain at the desired level to proceed with grooming. It's a bit of wait and see as of Monday.

People have to be wary that the groomer is now on the trails. With a new operator this year, they are working during the days as he gets used to the trails and the machine itself. He asked for people's patience in the early going.

Daily updates on the grooming activity can be found at the organization's website, www.westernsnoriders.com.