Cataract Creek Snow Vehicle riding area official section 2017/18

[Kaz Dog]

Sledderglen, the government website says snowmobile use only at Cataract. Is it official that snowbikes are legal now in this area and/or have been reclassified?

By regulations that are based on current legislation, the area is a “Snow Vehicle Public Land Use Zone (P.L.U.Z.)” with “designated snowmobile trails” only. Officially, motorized snow bikes are not allowed there/recognized in legislation, even though a snow bike can not operate on anything other than snow - given the front ski.

I currently look at it as a Grey area personally, although the Alberta Snowmobile Association follows government legislation on the matter, which makes snow bikes officially not allowed on snowmobile trails.

On another point, at Cataract, one is not to leave the trails there, via regulations. I personally don’t because the cutblocks have many, many land mines from scarification of leftover debris after the trees are removed.

Scott Kjarsgaard
President
Calgary Snowmobile Club

 

[Sledderglen]

ok will do that route, just was wondering if there was gonna be someone from the club there to thank in person for the work that has been done down there, it is greatly appreciated

There may be members around cuttting fallen trees on Cummins trail. I wont be there Friday working the motorcycle show. Thanks for the support. If you run into them say thanks and maybe give them a hand for a few minutes.

 

[Sledderglen]

Was out today again.
Valley Bottom Trail signed, groomed and ready for traffic. Please respect these trails take it easy and remember these are 2 way trails. This is a windy trail and sight lines are not the greatest because of thick bush. Enjoy. Dragged Etherington and Raspberry and will continue Saturady. Lots to do. On Saturday a volunteer crew is out removing fallen logs from the upper cummins trail in order to have it open for use. We as a club are doing our part to keep this area open and making it better every year. New bridges, signage, trail erosion repair from flood and water runoff all stuff we do year round when we are able.
Had alot of good comments from riders and it makes us happy to hear. We had a rider give us $50.00 for gas . Thanks very much. Just for a little info here from the groomer guy. The 2 sleds burn between $50 and $75 in a day of packing, grooming. They work hard and like the fuel. NDP carbon tax makes its money from our grooming sleds. No matter we will continue to burn it. Big groomer uses about 150 plus litres doing light work in a 8 hr day. So that`s $180 plus a day for a large groomer. Think of that the next time you ride out there and wonder what it costs to keep these trails up and running. Maybe its time to help keep things going forward. Think about a club membership and seasonal provincial trail pass or day pass or like the other guy did slip a groomer guy a donation towards fuel. We as a club do have a budget for this year and when its done or close to be done grooming could be affected.
Go to calgarysnowmobileclub.net and join the club or donate towards the improvement of this area.

Thanks.

 

[Calgarymike]

I am wondering if there are downloadable maps of the trail system. I know maps are available but gps so much easier to use

 

[Sledderglen]

I am wondering if there are downloadable maps of the trail system. I know maps are available but gps so much easier to use

I'm not aware of anything with that much information on it. We use the government map supplied. We asked for a better government map this summer but they are unable to proviDE. Maybe in the future.

 

[Summit X]

I am wondering if there are downloadable maps of the trail system. I know maps are available but gps so much easier to use

What format are you able to input into your gps? I may be able to help.

 

[Calgarymike]

There is APP called Avenza Map we use which is smart pnone app. Tailcreek Snowbirds which the snowmobile club in Stettler use it you can track your progress and see the map with out data running. I am pretty sure it was just a PDF. If anyone with more tech savvy can figure it out may be a good addition for All!

 

[getzy24]

Thinking of heading to cataract next weekend, how are the snow conditions?

 

[cammont]

Thinking of heading to cataract next weekend, how are the snow conditions?

Snow is doing good. We have our poker rally on Saturday. You’re welcome to join.

 

[retiredpop]

Thinking of heading to cataract next weekend, how are the snow conditions?

Pretty good for this time of year. This is a trail riding area so don't expect to be out boondocking in waist deep snow. Actually as mentioned previously you are limited by regulation to the trails only.

 

[Wise Mechanical]

Had a great day out in cataract today, beautiful weather, and rode smooth groomed trails all day. Here’s hoping for another dump of snow for your poker rally next weekend.

 

[Summit X]

There is APP called Avenza Map we use which is smart pnone app. Tailcreek Snowbirds which the snowmobile club in Stettler use it you can track your progress and see the map with out data running. I am pretty sure it was just a PDF. If anyone with more tech savvy can figure it out may be a good addition for All!

Yes, I also have Avenza. It does read just a pdf, but it needs to be georeferenced. But, this just happens to be something I can do quite easily. When I get a free minute at work i'll put something together!

 

[catrutt]

I took my wife to etherington last friday,she has not been sledding for 8 years and she had a great day in the sun and smooth trails. Full credit to all who are responsable for the area.I only helped with tree clearing on sky line one day so you can tell there has been alot of work done everywhere..well done. I talked to some new people to the area and they were asking where to pay for trail pass. I told them to buy a membership... saw them at the end of the day and they were going to buy two.It's nice to see people who want to become members because the groomers are doing a great job. My two cents.

 

[Calgarymike]

Yes, I also have Avenza. It does read just a pdf, but it needs to be georeferenced. But, this just happens to be something I can do quite easily. When I get a free minute at work i'll put something together!

This is would be very cool. We rode fir the first time Saturday and found the trails well marked but still managed to get a bit turned around. Looking forward to seeing thus done in Avenza.

 

[kennyt]

I'm planning on coming down for the poker run sat if I finally get my sled ready to go its been a battle will I be able to buy a club membership on site I don't have a CC to buy on on line looking forward to riding the area never been and sounds fun will likely be coming down solo so hope I can find a group to ride with that doesn't mind an obnoxious loud turbo sled lol

 

[Sledderglen]

I'm planning on coming down for the poker run sat if I finally get my sled ready to go its been a battle will I be able to buy a club membership on site I don't have a CC to buy on on line looking forward to riding the area never been and sounds fun will likely be coming down solo so hope I can find a group to ride with that doesn't mind an obnoxious loud turbo sled lol

Bring cash for membership and entry fee and ear plugs for you new riding buddies. See you Saturday

 

[Tchetek]

There is APP called Avenza Map we use which is smart pnone app. Tailcreek Snowbirds which the snowmobile club in Stettler use it you can track your progress and see the map with out data running. I am pretty sure it was just a PDF. If anyone with more tech savvy can figure it out may be a good addition for All!

Used an app called Wikiloc a couple days now. Free smart phone app, if you have phone service birds eye view is very detailed. Tracks like a gps with out phone service just doesn’t update maps. Maps of the province can be preloaded for off line use and viewing with out service.

After your trip gives you the option to share your track with the wikiloc community or keep private.

Didn’t find sledding as a activity choice so picked dog sledding.


Search but didn’t find an existing track for cataract so somebody there should create one!

 

[Summit X]

For a start, attached is a georeferenced version of the trail map to be used in Avenza. I'll work on something a bit better...

 

[Calgarymike]

For a start, attached is a georeferenced version of the trail map to be used in Avenza. I'll work on something a bit better...

Cant wait to try this out!! Thanks

 

[Summit X]

Cant wait to try this out!! Thanks

Just had an afterthought, does the app need service to actually work?? There is no cell service in this area, so that map may not help!

I'll see if I can make a .gpx file also to load into peoples gps's....

UPDATE: as per the app description online, cell service is not required after the map is downloaded