Cataract creek snowmobile area offical thread 2015/16

[calgarysledguy]

I have b trained my 5th wheel and sled trailer in there and spent the weekend . CO'S just waved. I was told or read some where that you could camp in the day use areas if you were out there snowmobiling.

 

[Kaz Dog]

I have b trained my 5th wheel and sled trailer in there and spent the weekend . CO'S just waved. I was told or read some where that you could camp in the day use areas if you were out there snowmobiling.

I would love to see a link on-line to such information, as the head C.O. for the area told me that, technically, no one is to camp in the parking lots. That being said, I believe if you are being responsible, and there is not a ton of units/people there, they do not take a second look. There is official and "what really happens". I am hoping that the C.O.'s never have a reason to start kicking people out of the parking lots for staying overnight and everyone is respectful of each other and appreciate the privilege when overnighting.

 

[calgarysledguy]

I would love to see a link on-line to such information, as the head C.O. for the area told me that, technically, no one is to camp in the parking lots. That being said, I believe if you are being responsible, and there is not a ton of units/people there, they do not take a second look. There is official and "what really happens". I am hoping that the C.O.'s never have a reason to start kicking people out of the parking lots for staying overnight and everyone is respectful of each other and appreciate the privilege when overnighting.

Here is the the link you would love to see Kaz. Im guessing the C.O. may need the link to.

I know there is no camping in day use during the summer. That is why the camp ground is there.

 

[Kaz Dog]

Excellent, Thanks!

Here is the the link you would love to see Kaz. Im guessing the C.O. may need the link to.

I know there is no camping in day use during the summer. That is why the camp ground is there.

 

[catrutt]

Any snow there yet?

 

[Stickman70]

There is snow there but REMEMBER, you can not ride there until DECEMBER 1 2015!!
Went for a drive down there this morning to walk the dogs and couldn't believe how many "riders" dis-regard this law. If I want to go fishing some where, I find out the regulations for that body of water before I go, People just don't think or just don't care. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
I let one group of two guys on snowbikes know of the closure and they went anyways. Also talked with three guys that got $260 in fines EACH from the CO'S earlier in the day and they still went to Cataract and unloaded.
Some people just can't or won't get educated.

 

[Eldereldo]

And if the government decides to close the area because people aren't following the regulations, those are the people that will bitch the most. Guess they need to confiscate sleds before some people will learn.

 

[takethebounce]

There is snow there but REMEMBER, you can not ride there until DECEMBER 1 2015!!
Went for a drive down there this morning to walk the dogs and couldn't believe how many "riders" dis-regard this law. If I want to go fishing some where, I find out the regulations for that body of water before I go, People just don't think or just don't care. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
I let one group of two guys on snowbikes know of the closure and they went anyways. Also talked with three guys that got $260 in fines EACH from the CO'S earlier in the day and they still went to Cataract and unloaded.
Some people just can't or won't get educated.

Snowbikes are not allowed on the sled trails anyhow. They are registered as bikes, not sleds.

At some point it would be nice to see them update the laws regarding snow bikes but for now there is no "legal" definition of what they are, other than its registered as a bike, so its a bike

 

[Stickman70]

Snowbikes are not allowed on the sled trails anyhow. They are registered as bikes, not sleds.

At some point it would be nice to see them update the laws regarding snow bikes but for now there is no "legal" definition of what they are, other than its registered as a bike, so its a bike

I totally agree with what your saying but I also don't think we should shun them either. That segment of snow vehicle is only going to grow and we as motorized winter enthusiasts need a bigger,stronger voice or this area will eventually end up like Castle.
So I for one wish that all those "riders" that were down there today would think about the bigger picture and not just about themselves. Maybe, like Eldereldo says, it will take some sleds/bikes being confiscated to get through some of these "lonewolves" heads before they realize whats happening.
Kaz Dog and his group have been working to improve that area since BEFORE the flood and it would be a shame to have it taken from us because of a few who don't/won't respect the law.
IMO, with the snow we are expecting in the next couple of days, the same dough heads will be out there again next weekend. Maybe a call to the TIPS line or the local CO office might be in order. With the amount of fines they could levy, they would be able to throw a heck of a Christmas party.

 

[takethebounce]

Are you suggesting that I eluded to shunning them? I said nothing like that. I will likely be one of those snow bike riders in the future and want to see them accommodated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Stickman70]

I have re-read my post and I don't think I eluded to any such thing. I am sorry you took it that way.

 

[GasCan]

Did anyone take any pics of the snow there the past few days? They should be getting another dump the next 48 hours and I'm hoping it's good as I'd like to ride there next week.

 

[Sledderglen]

This area opens Dec 1st. Government rules apply. Its not what we want to do its what we can do. If the group of us want to go out and prep the trails we have to go and ask for a temporary authorization from the government to do that. Just because there is snow does not mean you can bypass the gates to access the area. I have my small grooming equipment ready to try to work with the snow but without a TFA I cant access the area without causing problems with the parks people. We wait all summer to ride again BUT we have wait to until Dec 1 and follow the rules. Hunting season is still on and this area is non motorized access( snowmobiles only) until Dec 1st.
Bikes with tracks are new and as of right now don't fight into the government plan of the area. This could change over time but it is what it is right now. By not following approved motorized use it could have a very negative impact of the future use of this area.
People lets work with the program and not stir the pot and risk any backlash with the parks department. The NDP government is looking into all aspects of whats going on. And from MY views are pretty well against the use of
anything that runs on fossil fuels. Lets not give them any reason to close the area to ANY motorized users and lets protect this GEM of a area we all enjoy using.

 

[Sledderglen]

This area opens Dec 1st. Government rules apply. Its not what we want to do its what we can do. If the group of us want to go out and prep the trails we have to go and ask for a temporary authorization from the government to do that. Just because there is snow does not mean you can bypass the gates to access the area. I have my small grooming equipment ready to try to work with the snow but without a TFA I cant access the area without causing problems with the parks people. We wait all summer to ride again BUT we have wait to until Dec 1 and follow the rules. Hunting season is still on and this area is non motorized access( snowmobiles only) until Dec 1st.
Bikes with tracks are new and as of right now don't fight into the government plan of the area. This could change over time but it is what it is right now. By not following approved motorized use it could have a very negative impact of the future use of this area.
People lets work with the program and not stir the pot and risk any backlash with the parks department. The NDP government is looking into all aspects of whats going on. And from MY views are pretty well against the use of
anything that runs on fossil fuels. Lets not give them any reason to close the area to ANY motorized users and lets protect this GEM of a area we all enjoy using.

Snow is coming lets wait to enjoy it for another week OK

 

[JZ1]

Apparently the guy/guys got stuck and that's how they were caught, not sure if true. There is a thread in the general section about it.

 

[Kaz Dog]

For all users here, and hopefully they can inform fellow members of "the public", here is the information as to when the area is officially open. (I found it not easy to find, but it is in the government information system.)



It is within this site:



The Conservation Officer in charge and I are in dialogue, I will post more when I know more details.

 

[Teth-Air]

This area opens Dec 1st. Government rules apply. Its not what we want to do its what we can do. If the group of us want to go out and prep the trails we have to go and ask for a temporary authorization from the government to do that. Just because there is snow does not mean you can bypass the gates to access the area. I have my small grooming equipment ready to try to work with the snow but without a TFA I cant access the area without causing problems with the parks people. We wait all summer to ride again BUT we have wait to until Dec 1 and follow the rules. Hunting season is still on and this area is non motorized access( snowmobiles only) until Dec 1st.
Bikes with tracks are new and as of right now don't fight into the government plan of the area. This could change over time but it is what it is right now. By not following approved motorized use it could have a very negative impact of the future use of this area.
People lets work with the program and not stir the pot and risk any backlash with the parks department. The NDP government is looking into all aspects of whats going on. And from MY views are pretty well against the use of
anything that runs on fossil fuels. Lets not give them any reason to close the area to ANY motorized users and lets protect this GEM of a area we all enjoy using.

As much as it is frustrating to deal with the government when things they do often make no sense to us, the above post makes a lot of sense and is well said.

 

[Stickman70]

Did anyone take any pics of the snow there the past few days? They should be getting another dump the next 48 hours and I'm hoping it's good as I'd like to ride there next week.

Please don't go ride there until the area is officially open on Dec.1. Thanks.

 

[JZ1]

I'll be there next Tuesday bright n early

 

[JZ1]

So is there gonna be a actual groomer out there this year?