West End now open, eastern loops to follow
MANITOULIN—It’s official. Two weeks after last year’s start, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) Island trails, run by the Manitoulin Snowdusters Snowmobile Club, are groomed and ready for business, with the exception of the east end trails due to a malfunctioning groomer.
Trail grooming got underway last week in Gore Bay where the snow cover is reportedly slightly deeper than that of eastern Manitoulin. The east end groomer was to begin work on Monday of this week, but was in need of significant repair so snowmobilers on this part of the Island can expect to get riding by the end of the week.
According to Snowdusters spokesperson Brad Middleton, there is at least one foot of snow in the bush of Western Manitoulin.
The Gore Bay to Kagawong trail was groomed first with the West End groomer spending Friday and Saturday travelling to Meldrum Bay and back.
The trail from Gore Bay to Providence Bay and Mindemoya was expected to be complete by yesterday (Tuesday).
“It will take a big part of the week (likely beginning Friday) to make the first pass through all of the trails on eastern Manitoulin,” Mr. Middleton said.
The Snowdusters did have a few words of warning for snowmobilers:
“To begin with, we often get complaints by sledders after the first initial groom/pass each season, saying that the trail is still rough with a few rocks and stumps crunching underneath the sled,” Mr. Middleton said. “That is only natural. We are grooming at a time of year when the snow is the least deep. As more snow falls throughout the winter, those imperfections quickly disappear with each subsequent pass the groomer makes over the trail. In no time at all, it turns out like a highway.”
“Also,” he continued, “the first pass each season is made not so much to smooth out the trail but more to freeze the base. Once the base is frozen in from the first pass over with the big machine, the second and third pass will smooth out the rough spots.”
Mr. Middleton also noted that because of the unusual amount of rain Manitoulin got in November and December, some of the trails still have water holes across them, with depths varying from a few inches to upwards of one foot. This is especially the case where the trail passes through low lying areas or swampy areas.
“Lack of cold weather up until now hasn’t helped,” he added. “The big groomer crashes through the thin layer of ice on these water holes. These large industrial machines have no trouble getting through, but you and your sled might. Hopefully, over the next few nights, these water holes will freeze up solid and the problem will be solved for the rest of the season.”
Mr. Middleton cautions snowmobilers that the ice trails, however, are not open and the Snowdusters highly recommend that snowmobilers stay off the lakes entirely for the time being. “Depending on how much cold weather we get, it might be as long as two more weeks before travel on even the inland lakes can take place,” Mr. Middelton said.
The usual trail from M’Chigeeng to Kagawong (the one that goes north from MSS), will not be usable this season due to a landowner dispute. Snowmobilers wishing to do so will have to travel on the lake from the bottom of West Bay at M’Chigeeng around to Kagawong. “Do not do so until you are absolutely sure there is enough ice,” Mr. Middleton urged. “Manitoulin Snowdusters will not be running a stake line this year to help out.” He explained that the club is currently exploring possibilities for other land routes in Billings Township other than the route now closed because of landowners’ disputes.
Stay tuned to www.manitoulin.ca for further trail updates from the Snowdusters and ride safe, Manitoulin.
