- Staff
- #1
post here with this years info and questions. Enjoy the season
Official Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Thread for 2020/21
- Thread starter Sledderglen
- Start date
Hi all, Calgary Snowmobile Club’s Trails Director for Cataract Creek Snowmobile Trails here, Scott. I wanted all to know that club volunteers have spent 4 weekends between the end of August, through Halloween doing maintenance on the trails and equipment we groom with.
We have cleared all debris and downed trees from the trails, as well as debrushed the edges of a number of trails. Long time users of the trails will notice these trails back to their historic width. Heavy equipment was sourced (mini excavator and a number of skidsteers) to address trail safety issues/smooth and square the trail width, used to deal with hillside sloughing issues, and tend to repairs caused by the 2013 flooding.
Our main groomer has had welding and mechanical maintenance done to it, ready to take on the snow. The drags we use, just this past weekend, were welded and “adjusted” to work smoothly (as both pieces use roller/packer drums). Our support snowmobile has also received it’s yearly maintenance, ready for another winter.
We are working on some great plans for this winter still. We hope to have a safety/warming cabin installed on the trail system this winter, as well as a couple of outhouses. We have received grant money from our provincial coordinating body - the Alberta Snowmobile Association- to allow for this, and are just completing proper authorizations to do so.
Just a note to remind everyone that the trails open for general public use on Dec. 1, regardless of early snow being on the system. This is for the current hunting season to end, as snowmobilers share the PLUZ with hunters, and this has to be respected, or we risk loosing our access to this land within Kananaskis Country. Thank you for your cooperation.
We have cleared all debris and downed trees from the trails, as well as debrushed the edges of a number of trails. Long time users of the trails will notice these trails back to their historic width. Heavy equipment was sourced (mini excavator and a number of skidsteers) to address trail safety issues/smooth and square the trail width, used to deal with hillside sloughing issues, and tend to repairs caused by the 2013 flooding.
Our main groomer has had welding and mechanical maintenance done to it, ready to take on the snow. The drags we use, just this past weekend, were welded and “adjusted” to work smoothly (as both pieces use roller/packer drums). Our support snowmobile has also received it’s yearly maintenance, ready for another winter.
We are working on some great plans for this winter still. We hope to have a safety/warming cabin installed on the trail system this winter, as well as a couple of outhouses. We have received grant money from our provincial coordinating body - the Alberta Snowmobile Association- to allow for this, and are just completing proper authorizations to do so.
Just a note to remind everyone that the trails open for general public use on Dec. 1, regardless of early snow being on the system. This is for the current hunting season to end, as snowmobilers share the PLUZ with hunters, and this has to be respected, or we risk loosing our access to this land within Kananaskis Country. Thank you for your cooperation.
EldestEldo
Active member
Great work guys. Maybe someday I’ll actually be able to ride these trails, never had the chance since I am usually in BC all winter. Although maybe not since I am now on a snow bike.
- Thread starter
- Staff
- #5
Great Job Volunteers. Really miss that area. Great to see the improvements being made. Proud of you all for getting the job done.:d
The diesel has been delivered for the season, and the snow report is “not enough to groom yet”. The trails are not open until Dec. 1, and we hope to have enough snow to get on the trails and do an initial packing of the snow with our roller-packer at least, if we can not get out with the proper drag to smooth and pack first, by Dec. 1. “It is in god’s hands”/the snow gods currently.
calgarysledguy
Active VIP Member
Not looking good. Went for a drive today. Having problems uploading photos. I'd say 3-4 inchs in the shade tops
https://i.imgur.com/QPYKOuJ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/TwPDIoT.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mGJIKI2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/wKSCJWU.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/j3f7s50.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Wyd6ght.jpg
Last edited:
DaleErickson
New member
Looks great.
Thanks to the team for maintaining the trails.
I am new to the group and would be happy to help wherever needed.
Thanks again.
Thanks to the team for maintaining the trails.
I am new to the group and would be happy to help wherever needed.
Thanks again.
DaleErickson
New member
I was down there yesterday and I can safely say that there is not enough snow yet.
I would say there is maybe 8-10 cm on the trails I walked. There may be more higher up but I didn't go that far (1/2 km) from the parking lot
I would say there is maybe 8-10 cm on the trails I walked. There may be more higher up but I didn't go that far (1/2 km) from the parking lot
tucker_98
Active member
Hey guys, 4th year running I've made it out December 1st. I've seen worse. Left from Cataract (Etherington staging looked alot better but snow in South is typically better). From the parking lot to the first main intersection at the bottom of raspberry sucked. About 30% bare and the rest had anywhere from 1-4 inches. Once we headed south and crossed the bridge the snow started to improve 3-4" consistent). Still touching through to some rocks here and there. Further south we went the more snow there was. Not sure the exact name of the spot (I call it hotdog hill, where the poker run ended a few years ago) there was about a foot. From there we headed up past skyline and east and the snow was fantastic. 1 foot of fresh with a crusty bottom for a total of maybe 18-24 inches where it was shaded. No tracks and enough snow that we were carving on the trail for 3-4km, it was awesome. Overall, as expected for this time of year. If it's new and shiny, don't go. If it has some battle scars or is due for some carbides, worth a go if you have the itch. Will post pics shortly. Didn't see another soul on the trails or the parking lots.
Last edited:
tucker_98
Active member
Last edited:
tucker_98
Active member
For those looking for some riding of a higher quality level right now Golden was pretty good on Nov 15, I can only assume much better by now. Went for a test ride at Waiparous/Hunter Valley last week, don't even think about it.
As stated, the snow is not great at the staging areas and out onto the trails, currently. This is like any other "low snow" start to the year we see at Cataract more often than we would like to see. If you have to get out now, go and fill your boots, but know that there is not quality snow until you are at the "south-end" of the trails, or up high on the ridges. The issue is getting there, and what you want to put your snowmobile through to get to it right now.
We will not be grooming the trails until we get substantially more snow at Cataract Creek PRA parking lot area to move the groomer from the maintenance yard.
We will not be grooming the trails until we get substantially more snow at Cataract Creek PRA parking lot area to move the groomer from the maintenance yard.
A great read from ASA Executive Director Chris Brookes
****************
[FONT="]Are you a free-rider or a free loader? Every year around this time our office gets many calls looking for where to get some early local sledding in. This year we have started asking callers what club they belong to.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]I had a conversation with someone last week who said they don’t buy a membership because they just hop on the groomed trail for a short ride to get where they hop off again and ride off trail. “Why should I pay for something I’m not interested in or use?”
[/FONT]
[FONT="]The fact that this person was able to hop onto a cleared, groomed and managed trail is proof of fifty years of volunteer labour, effort and funding, into a provincial snowmobile trail network that exists without any dedicated revenue. Alberta exists as the second last province in Canada with no provincial snowmobile pass and no dedicated government support. In every province to the east of us, by law, you must buy a mandatory snowmobile pass to ride in their province. In Alberta you have the option of joining the Alberta Snowmobile Association (ASA), and making a difference with our sport.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]The self-described free rider I was speaking with offers nothing back to the snowmobile community or sport. The ASA advocates on his behalf with government, offers and promotes safe riding, avalanche safety and trail volunteer safety programs, to ensure all riders do so safely. Without the efforts of the ASA and its thousands of volunteers and a half century of blood, sweat and tears, the free rider would not have the access to ride where he chooses to. He would also not have the managed snowmobile trail to hop on and off of, as he selfishly chooses to do.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]It’s ok to be a free rider. Many of us and our members enjoy getting off trail and breaking some pow. We also choose to purchase an $80 ASA membership (the least expensive in Canada). At $80, it’s likely less expensive than your undergarments and enables you full season access to a provincial trail network of over 6,500KM and access to play areas. At $80 it likely cost less than your meals to and from your riding day, but would help the sport you enjoy in so many ways. At $80, it would cover your quick access on and off the volunteer funded trails.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]It’s ok to be a free-rider. Just don’t be a free-loader.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Chris Brookes, Executive Director
Alberta Snowmobile Association
*****************
[/FONT]
****************
[FONT="]Are you a free-rider or a free loader? Every year around this time our office gets many calls looking for where to get some early local sledding in. This year we have started asking callers what club they belong to.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]I had a conversation with someone last week who said they don’t buy a membership because they just hop on the groomed trail for a short ride to get where they hop off again and ride off trail. “Why should I pay for something I’m not interested in or use?”
[/FONT]
[FONT="]The fact that this person was able to hop onto a cleared, groomed and managed trail is proof of fifty years of volunteer labour, effort and funding, into a provincial snowmobile trail network that exists without any dedicated revenue. Alberta exists as the second last province in Canada with no provincial snowmobile pass and no dedicated government support. In every province to the east of us, by law, you must buy a mandatory snowmobile pass to ride in their province. In Alberta you have the option of joining the Alberta Snowmobile Association (ASA), and making a difference with our sport.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]The self-described free rider I was speaking with offers nothing back to the snowmobile community or sport. The ASA advocates on his behalf with government, offers and promotes safe riding, avalanche safety and trail volunteer safety programs, to ensure all riders do so safely. Without the efforts of the ASA and its thousands of volunteers and a half century of blood, sweat and tears, the free rider would not have the access to ride where he chooses to. He would also not have the managed snowmobile trail to hop on and off of, as he selfishly chooses to do.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]It’s ok to be a free rider. Many of us and our members enjoy getting off trail and breaking some pow. We also choose to purchase an $80 ASA membership (the least expensive in Canada). At $80, it’s likely less expensive than your undergarments and enables you full season access to a provincial trail network of over 6,500KM and access to play areas. At $80 it likely cost less than your meals to and from your riding day, but would help the sport you enjoy in so many ways. At $80, it would cover your quick access on and off the volunteer funded trails.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]It’s ok to be a free-rider. Just don’t be a free-loader.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Chris Brookes, Executive Director
Alberta Snowmobile Association
*****************
[/FONT]
You are so correct a lot of people would go and spend $100 on a crappy meal that will give you slight joy for a hour but will not spend $80 for hours of fun for a season ... give your head a shake. It's a deal!
papajake
Active VIP Member
just talk to the people that work the booths at the staging areas the bigger the unit the louder the bitching about having to pay 25.00 per sled to ride a groomed trail they are out there and we can't do anything till it is enforced not sure what the fine is in Ontario if caught riding without a season pass I like the idea of checking for asa passes to ride club poker rally's
Drty Ernie
Active member
Saskatchewan collects trail fees when sleds renew their annual registration, best thing that ever happened to their trail system.
There are on-going discussions within the province to try to figure out how to implement and distribute funds by means of a similar system.
Similar threads
