Organizing to start grooming Cataract Creek Snomobile Area

[Kaz Dog]

For those interested, a gathering is taking place to discuss possible grooming and improvements to the Cataract Creek Snowmobile area for the future. Those of us already interested (6) and getting together are going to have an open, pie-in-the-sky discussion of the wants and needs for this area. Experience is coming to the table from other clubs activities and southern alberta "locals" wanting more for the area. YOU ALL ARE INVITED, and hopefully you have the time. The date is Wednesday, January 9, at 7:30 pm. Please send me a personal message and I will get back to you with the location. Keep the time booked for this meeting, as I will not be able to get back to you until Sunday evening.

This is not meant to be a "take over of the area" or an "exclusive club" of people. The vision is that there are different type of riders with different wants and needs for the area, so let's get together and make progress for all. If you can not make the appointed time (it will be only the first official get-together), and want to contribute/share your ideas, please send them to me in a personal message. I guarantee they will be expressed at the meeting. There have already been some radical ideas brought forward as compared to any thing that has happened in the past or currently been shared on sites like this. We will "throw everything against the wall and see what sticks". I always say there is no such thing as a bad idea, only different thoughts/opinions on a subject.

 

[Summit X]

I honestly like it the way it is. A little grooming wouldn't hurt, but the reason it is good now is because it isn't as busy as all of the other areas. More maintance will bring more sleds which in turn will require more maintance. Maintance will also cost money, and when they don't groom the trail over the divide (and I am totally against grooming that trail), is it fair that everyone pays the same trail fees?

I know you are just bringing it up for discussion, and it is a worthwhile topic to discuss so good for you for spearheading it, this is my opinion (and maybe only my opinion).

I will check my schedule and see what my availabilty will be on the 9th.

 

[Sledderglen]

What trails did the government groom when they groomed. What trails were they to groom back in the day when it was a registered snowmobile trail area and maintained by the government. May have to ask some of the older club members

 

[heikki]

What trails did the government groom when they groomed. What trails were they to groom back in the day when it was a registered snowmobile trail area and maintained by the government. May have to ask some of the older club members

Going back a few years.....the valley bottom trail..raspberry upper and lower...cummings....etherington.....and more

I would be willing to pay whatever to have groomed trails......but I think it boils down to how many folks are just using the area to access fording...or those that are strictly trail riders (me)


I personally think its a win/win for both types of riders.....over the years I have had conversations with more than a few trail riders that said they will never go back there because of the whooped out trails..that cant be good

I will be out of town on the 9th.....but I do support any decision that brings the grooming back

 

[Titan]

I'm 100% in favor of grooming most of the trails. More important would be downed tree removal and bridge maintence.
I was out there last weekend and was really disappointed at the conditions. I'm not 100% into trail riding but when I am on the trail I prefer being able to go faster than 10km/h and not be bucked around like on a bronco.
I cannot make the meeting but am a full supporter of grooming and maintaining the trails.

 

[Highfly]

Is the Calgary Snowmobile club involved? Just curious.

I doubt very much the path to Fording could be groomed with out bridges in place and that isn't going to happen with out approval and a lot of paper work. Would be cool if it was though.
What kind of machine will do the grooming? Would have to be pretty small for some of the narrow trails.

 

[Kaz Dog]

Thanks for all the posts/comments/ideas to date. I am very glad to see that this thread (IN ALL THREE POSTED LOCATIONS) has brought people forward who want to "do something", be it little or big. I look forward to the meeting and people from the sledding community, as well as current and former snowmobile club members, coming together to look for ways of making sledding better at the Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area for all.

 

[T-top]

Im new to snowmobiling and thinking a maintained trail system would be great for families if nothing else. Iv e seen a tracked ATV with a pull behind do a very decent groom. Basic equipment like this could be donated or lent by the sponsors ? Off season maintenance could extend the season as well. Im doubting lack of volunteers a problem. Other off-road clubs like the RMDR are able to put in bridges, build trails etc.. They have gotten some funding from National Trail Coalition and provincial grant money.

 

[calgarysledguy]

For those interested, a gathering is taking place to discuss possible grooming and improvements to the Cataract Creek Snowmobile area for the future. Those of us already interested (6) and getting together are going to have an open, pie-in-the-sky discussion of the wants and needs for this area. Experience is coming to the table from other clubs activities and southern alberta "locals" wanting more for the area. YOU ALL ARE INVITED, and hopefully you have the time. The date is Wednesday, January 9, at 7:30 pm. Please send me a personal message and I will get back to you with the location. Keep the time booked for this meeting, as I will not be able to get back to you until Sunday evening.

This is not meant to be a "take over of the area" or an "exclusive club" of people. The vision is that there are different type of riders with different wants and needs for the area, so let's get together and make progress for all. If you can not make the appointed time (it will be only the first official get-together), and want to contribute/share your ideas, please send them to me in a personal message. I guarantee they will be expressed at the meeting. There have already been some radical ideas brought forward as compared to any thing that has happened in the past or currently been shared on sites like this. We will "throw everything against the wall and see what sticks". I always say there is no such thing as a bad idea, only different thoughts/opinions on a subject.

Has there been permission from the government to do the grooming or improvements to the area? Or should the possible permission happen first pending on the ideas for the area?
Or is this meeting going to be a bunch of great ideas that sound good from a group of 12 who show up(just a number) and then when presented to the government there going to say no.


I think most people that ride the area do take care of it.Remove rocks, trees, garbage left behind. You should if your out there or you dont care about the area. Yes the trails are bumpy when there is snow but i personaly not one for doing 75 mile/hr down the trail. If people like that they should hit up a lake within the same drive time as Cataract and hold your thumb to the bar.

 

[Kaz Dog]

calgarysledguy, if you don't try, you don't know, we will be trying, would you like to join us?

Has there been permission from the government to do the grooming or improvements to the area? Or should the possible permission happen first pending on the ideas for the area?
Or is this meeting going to be a bunch of great ideas that sound good from a group of 12 who show up(just a number) and then when presented to the government there going to say no.


I think most people that ride the area do take care of it.Remove rocks, trees, garbage left behind. You should if your out there or you dont care about the area. Yes the trails are bumpy when there is snow but i personaly not one for doing 75 mile/hr down the trail. If people like that they should hit up a lake within the same drive time as Cataract and hold your thumb to the bar.

 

[Summiteer]

. I always say there is no such thing as a bad idea, only different thoughts/opinions on a subject.

Checking for a gas leak with a bic lighter might be considered a bad idea......Discussion is always a good thing however.

 

[Bunn]

Sorry I couldn't make it.Please post how many made it and some idea's....been wanting to do something down there for years.

 

[heikki]

I'm curious if anyone has had any experience with this set up.......any ideas

Check out the all new 2012 Arctic Cat Groomer - YouTube

 

[Sledderglen]

Peace River and Mynarm clubs have these A/C groomers. Both new so far OK. Time will tell

 

[retiredpop]

What trails did the government groom when they groomed. What trails were they to groom back in the day when it was a registered snowmobile trail area and maintained by the government. May have to ask some of the older club members

Going back a few years.....the valley bottom trail..raspberry upper and lower...cummings....etherington.....and more

also Wilkinson, Oyster, Pasque, Logger's

 

[BRP QSC]

cant make it sunday as sled is down due to tweek in s module

 

[Highfly]

cant make it sunday as sled is down due to tweek in s module

Awe shitty, it did bend it hey....

 

[P-Gravel]

Is the trail inspection ride on Sunday still a go if so what time?

 

[calgarysledguy]

Is the trail inspection ride on Sunday still a go if so what time?

I think its a No Go. No contact since the plan was talked about.

 

[P-Gravel]

I think its a No Go. No contact since the plan was talked about.

Ok I won't go, let me know if it is rescheduled.