Cataract Creek Snowmobile Trails offical thread 2016/17

[Sledderglen]

We did make it out today. Was sunny when we got to Cataract to do our work. Cutting our sign post and buffing the handle on the woodstove. The weather changed while we were there and became cloudy. Looked like a cloud front was moving in and a few snowflakes began to fall. Still poor snow depth out there like the pictures showed from the other posting.
Bottom line. I would not beat my sled up the trails and risk any damage to it at this time of year. Not even enough snow to pack using the quads to pull even. To many rocks out there not covered yet.

I cant get pics loaded I will get a fellow Moderator to load them for me. Stay tuned

 

[TylerG]

Glen's photos

 

[Sledderglen]

Glen's photos

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View attachment 200683

Thanks Tyler. Guess that's why your a big time Moderator

So here is the snow at Cataract creek staging area. Snow the same at Etherington staging area. At least the creek is freezing up

 

[Sledderglen]

Snow has arrived in Calgary and it looks like Cataract area is getting it also. Getting the grooming/packing gear ready and will be heading out there this week or on the weekend. Packing will be going on first and tree trimming. If anyone does attempt to go riding please spread out across the trail and pack the whole trail not just 3 feet in the middle. This helps us have a well packed even surface to work with for the rest of the season It all starts with the base and we would like all of you to do your part in making it better. Gonna be chilly this week and lets all hope for more snow as we go forward.

Thanks trail users. Be safe and have fun

 

[Sledderglen]

Any report from this weekend?

 

[JZ1]

Not from me. All the prior reports kept me away

 

[Kaz Dog]

If I know Glen and a few of the "Fording Pass Guys", this snow will have them out there very soon! Keep your eyes peeled here, as I am sure the posts will begin to flow with the snow that has now arrived!

 

[Sledderglen]

If I know Glen and a few of the "Fording Pass Guys", this snow will have them out there very soon! Keep your eyes peeled here, as I am sure the posts will begin to flow with the snow that has now arrived!

For the Fording Pass Crew there has been some upgrades on the trail this summer. There is a reroute done this spring that takes out the hills and rocks before the old sawmill site. Also we cleared out the bush so you have direst access to the new fiberglass bridge and cleaned up the way off as well. We will be maintaining that trail better this year for you as well. Please support us in return. Thanks see you out there

 

[JZ1]

Where abouts is the saw mill? I've only been to fording once so I'm not all that familiar

 

[Sledderglen]

Where abouts is the saw mill? I've only been to fording once so I'm not all that familiar

Its the big field just before you cross the new fiberglass bridge. Old site of the sawmill

 

[Lowdown64]

For the Fording Pass Crew there has been some upgrades on the trail this summer. There is a reroute done this spring that takes out the hills and rocks before the old sawmill site. Also we cleared out the bush so you have direst access to the new fiberglass bridge and cleaned up the way off as well. We will be maintaining that trail better this year for you as well. Please support us in return. Thanks see you out there

Myself and a buddy went out on Saturday to check things out because i couldn't wait any longer! I think we might have been on the reroute but turned around and went back to the old trail because I didn't recognize anything. It looks a lot different when everything isn't covered in snow lol. The new access to the bridge is excellent. Further down the trail We moved a few large fallen trees that were blocking the trail to the side but they could be moved further so they don't get in the way of anything. We made it over the moon and across that tiny little creek before the steep climb up to Fording and bounced of a few large rocks for about 1/4 of the way up it and decided that was far enough for that day. The snow was getting deeper but not deep enough to navigate that hill and not have to worry about the boulders. Hopefully the past couple days it dumped enough so next time we can make it all the way in!

 

[TylerG]

Myself and a buddy went out on Saturday to check things out because i couldn't wait any longer! I think we might have been on the reroute but turned around and went back to the old trail because I didn't recognize anything. It looks a lot different when everything isn't covered in snow lol. The new access to the bridge is excellent. Further down the trail We moved a few large fallen trees that were blocking the trail to the side but they could be moved further so they don't get in the way of anything. We made it over the moon and across that tiny little creek before the steep climb up to Fording and bounced of a few large rocks for about 1/4 of the way up it and decided that was far enough for that day. The snow was getting deeper but not deep enough to navigate that hill and not have to worry about the boulders. Hopefully the past couple days it dumped enough so next time we can make it all the way in!

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edited your post and fixed the photo for you sir.

 

[Sledderglen]

Myself and a buddy went out on Saturday to check things out because i couldn't wait any longer! I think we might have been on the reroute but turned around and went back to the old trail because I didn't recognize anything. It looks a lot different when everything isn't covered in snow lol. The new access to the bridge is excellent. Further down the trail We moved a few large fallen trees that were blocking the trail to the side but they could be moved further so they don't get in the way of anything. We made it over the moon and across that tiny little creek before the steep climb up to Fording and bounced of a few large rocks for about 1/4 of the way up it and decided that was far enough for that day. The snow was getting deeper but not deep enough to navigate that hill and not have to worry about the boulders. Hopefully the past couple days it dumped enough so next time we can make it all the way in!

View attachment 200781

Thanks for the update. With the low snow I was surprised to see this post but bouncing off rocks and not reconizing trails because of low snow is a good reason to wait for more to fall. We have done NO trailwork past the Fiberglass bridge. I have never been any further down that trail yet. I think plans are for us to maintain up to the bridge. After that it will be up to the riders to get it cleared up. Will see how far the Skandics with drags can go after that. We have a bunch more trail to maintain as well as Fording Pass trail.
Thanks for the update.

 

[Summit X]

Myself and a buddy went out on Saturday to check things out because i couldn't wait any longer! I think we might have been on the reroute but turned around and went back to the old trail because I didn't recognize anything. It looks a lot different when everything isn't covered in snow lol. The new access to the bridge is excellent. Further down the trail We moved a few large fallen trees that were blocking the trail to the side but they could be moved further so they don't get in the way of anything. We made it over the moon and across that tiny little creek before the steep climb up to Fording and bounced of a few large rocks for about 1/4 of the way up it and decided that was far enough for that day. The snow was getting deeper but not deep enough to navigate that hill and not have to worry about the boulders. Hopefully the past couple days it dumped enough so next time we can make it all the way in!

Thanks for the update. I'm glad I went to Golden instead of trying the pass this weekend!

 

[Sledderglen]

Just a little update for the area. 8.00 AM out at Lost Creek weather station it is -28 and no snow for the last 3 days. Going to warm up a bit starting late Sunday and next week. We will be out packing snow on the trails then. Will post results as I get them.

 

[TylerG]

Just a little update for the area. 8.00 AM out at Lost Creek weather station it is -28 and no snow for the last 3 days. Going to warm up a bit starting late Sunday and next week. We will be out packing snow on the trails then. Will post results as I get them.

So what you're saying is -28 is too cold for you to go out an maintain the trails?

 

[Sledderglen]

So what you're saying is -28 is too cold for you to go out an maintain the trails?

you are 100% correct there Tyler. That cold riding a Skandic is not for this Old Guy. Would love to be out there but common sense is a leading factor in me not being there. Oh and Wendy says I cant go

 

[Sledderglen]

Ok here it is

Really cold there.
BUT they got up to 6-8 inches of snow. Grader operator contacted one of our trail guys today.
Still cold but I will be packing this next week.
Those who will go out please spreadout across the trail and flatten across the width of the trail. This will give it a good base and make the trail better and last longer and be smoother in the whole season.
Dress warm and layer up. Don't want to be sick for Christmas.
WATCH FOR ROCKS AND STUMPS

Enjoy

 

[Lowdown64]

Thank you very much Tyler G!!

 

[Sledderglen]

Thank you very much Tyler G!!

..

That's SledderGlen Jason