Moultonborough Snowmobile Club 1-21 Update

[VitaBene]

The Moultonboro Snowmobile Club has opened most of the trails. I will be going out in a few minutes to check conditions and snow cover. We will likely not start grooming (dragging), all we can really do is pack the trails down and hope that this snow can serve as a good base.

Even though we have opened the trails please understand that we are not advocating crossing water. Please evaluate teh conditions carefully before you do so!

Also, I have gotten a few calls from our generous landowners who questioned our opening. They are concerned about the lack of snow and potential for damage to their land. Please ride on their property as you would on your own. In many cases, we are down to one person who will allow our trail to cross their land. If we lose them, entire parts of town can be cut off.

Thank you for your support and please ride safely,

John Harrington
President, MSC

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

The Moultonboro Snowmobile Club has opened most of the trails. I will be going out in a few minutes to check conditions and snow cover. We will likely not start grooming (dragging), all we can really do is pack the trails down and hope that this snow can serve as a good base.

Even though we have opened the trails please understand that we are not advocating crossing water. Please evaluate teh conditions carefully before you do so!

Also, I have gotten a few calls from our generous landowners who questioned our opening. They are concerned about the lack of snow and potential for damage to their land. Please ride on their property as you would on your own. In many cases, we are down to one person who will allow our trail to cross their land. If we lose them, entire parts of town can be cut off.

Thank you for your support and please ride safely,

John Harrington
President, MSC

Given the fragile condition of the trails and the concerns of landowners regarding these conditions and the potential negative impact to their land, why would you open the trails? This seems like a risky decision with significant downside.

[Irrigation Guy]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Given the fragile condition of the trails and the concerns of landowners regarding these conditions and the potential negative impact to their land, why would you open the trails? This seems like a risky decision with significant downside.

It is frustrating to the club but even though the trails were not open there have been people riding the trails. We now have what is considered adequate snow cover to open the gates and trails. All early season riding (and operating a snowmobile in general) has its inherent risks which are mostly risks to the snowmobiles and the riders themselves. Some of the hazards(rocks ect) are not as well covered as they are later in the year, but with close to a foot of snow on the ground this is generally an acceptable amount of snow cover for safe snowmobile travel and opening the trails. The adjoining trails in the area of the Ossipee Mountains/Castle in the Clouds were also recently opened by the State Bureau of Trails and the club is opening trails in conjunction with the opening of those trails and the two recent snow events.

It is definitely a delicate balance when opening trails and the club has taken a conservative approach. When a landowner has a concern we listen and address the concern by what ever means are necessary.

[Belmont Resident]

In driving around I've noticed the Gilmanton and Belmont trails are still closed and gated.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by LocalRealtor

It is frustrating to the club but even though the trails were not open there have been people riding the trails. We now have what is considered adequate snow cover to open the gates and trails. All early season riding (and operating a snowmobile in general) has its inherent risks which are mostly risks to the snowmobiles and the riders themselves. Some of the hazards(rocks ect) are not as well covered as they are later in the year, but with close to a foot of snow on the ground this is generally an acceptable amount of snow cover for safe snowmobile travel and opening the trails. The adjoining trails in the area of the Ossipee Mountains/Castle in the Clouds were also recently opened by the State Bureau of Trails and the club is opening trails in conjunction with the opening of those trails and the two recent snow events.

It is definitely a delicate balance when opening trails and the club has taken a conservative approach. When a landowner has a concern we listen and address the concern by what ever means are necessary.

Thanks for the clarification. It definitely is frustrating with no riding at this juncture. Hopefully, mother nature will cooperate soon.