Trail Conditions

  1. BE CAREFULL -- We are out there on the trails along with hikers and local people walking there dogs so slow down around corners.

  2. I always wear a Orange Vest...

  3. I have a problem with Snowmoble bridge design in that there are no side rails and the slats are oftan too rough and too large that some hiker could break a ankel or get stuck long enough to get run over....

  4. I apreatiate those snowmoblers who are nice enough to give me a ride back to the trail head of where I started (Expecilay when it starts getting dark...THANK YOU

I hope you are out there cleaning/clearing the trails in the off season, like the sled clubs are doing? Perhaps if you accompanied a sled club in the summer, and showed your concerns about the bridges, you could help build them to your satisfaction. Believe me, the clubs need all the help they can get!

 

raymondtylicki wrote:

1. BE CAREFULL -- We are out there on the trails along with hikers and local people walking there dogs so slow down around corners.   2. I always wear a Orange Vest...   3. I have a problem with Snowmoble bridge design in that there are no side rails and the slats are oftan too rough and too large that some hiker could break a ankel or get stuck long enough to get run over....   4. I apreatiate those snowmoblers who are nice enough to give me a ride back to the trail head of where I started (Expecilay when it starts getting dark...THANK YOU

Are you insane? 

Snowmobilers have a hard enough time seeing oncoming sleds around corners, and they have headlights and make noise...  Seeing a person (even wearing orange) in time to avoid collision with them, as well has having the reaction time to take evasive maneuvers without taking a trip into the woods is even tougher.

Let me amend that, you are insane to think you can be safe sharing a trail with sleds, for a long time, without injury to either you or a sled avoiding hitting you.

Honestly, I applaud your idea of using the nice smooth manicured trails for your exercise, but the other people on that trail are out to play.  And IF they're obeying the laws, they're doing 45 to 65 mph on a path that's usually rather narrow.  Those not obeying the laws (the majority) are also probably not reading your post, and have no idea you could be out on the trails.

As fas as the bridges go, they are built the way they are, because they work for snowmobiles that way...  They are not meant for the use of pedestrians like roadways.

Honestly, the gall of some people.  "Let me use your trail for something it wasn't intended for, and slow down so you don't run me over!!!"

They make hiking and skiing trails, and keep motorized vehicles out.  Why should hikers and skiiers be allowed on motor vehicle trails?  Do you do the same in the street, that's just another trail system for motor vehicles..

For crying out loud... 

you are nuts!

I know in Ontario and Quebec it is ILLEGAL for you to be on snowmobile trails for any other reason then snowmobiling, hunting or fishing unless you are the landowner or have permission from the landowner and you can be and will be charged with trespassing.( I'm assuming the laws are similar in the States)

Insurance does not cover you if you get hit by a sled when you are not legally suppose to be there.

So if want to take a chance with your life, go ahead but don't blame us when somebody hit you. 

And like Frankestorm said most of us are not obeying the posted speed limits.  I being a trail warden don't even follow the speed limits you don't own one litre to look at it.

I can understand your wanting to ski on the nice groomed trails that the snowmobile clubs and municipalities maintain, but I honestly think you are taking your life in your hands, literally. Snowmobilers pay a high fee through registration costs and club memberships to ride these trails, and they aren't meant for pedestrians. I would compare it to roller blading on a superhighway. Or playing on the railroad tracks. I want to say this will all due respect: you just simply do not belong pn the snowmobile trails, I am afraid for your safety. Hope you understand that snowmobilers are generally a courteous lot, but your are going to have many that are pretty upset that you would cross-country ski on the trails - not only because they basically pay to use the trails, but because they honestly don't want to run over you and kill you.

I don't want to be rude, but you really don't belong on the snowmobile trails.  They are called that for a reason.  Hikers/skiers are not safe there, well marked or not.  As far as posted speed limits, the only limits around here, are 55 mph at night, and 10 mph with 100 feet of a person not on a sled, or dwelling.  Otherwise, it's usually wide open throttle or brake.  Oh, if you need a ride back to where you started, you should have turned around a while ago.  Isn't cross country skiing meant to be done in the powder, rather than trails?  I have knee/hip problems, so I can't ski anyway.  Good luck out there.

Unless you have a trail sticker on your ,you dont belong on the sled trail.Snowmobiles arent allowed on the ski trail.

It is illegal to ski on the snowmobile trails. This being said I still see foolish people doing it, and until now I've just ignored them and drove on by. The arrogance of this poster has convinced me to change my actions...or lack there of. From now on....if I see a skier on the trail, I'm going to personally stop and read them the riot act AND report them to the DNR.

Truly, I was afraid to look at replies to my post, thinking there would be a bunch of derogatory replies to what I had said..

Fact is, the majority of sledders agree..   It's a lot safer legally and physically, for sledders to stick to sled trails, and skiiers to stick to ski trails.  Do not intermingle.

However..

If I see someone (even a skiier) in need of a lift, they can have a ride on the back of my sled, as long as they can hang on.. 

Wisconsin has a speed limit now. It's just a matter of time & we'll all be under "multi use status". The first trail I hit when I leave my mechanic's house is a "bandit trail". Cross country skiers are on it all the time. We just need to adapt.

Bay City Bullet wrote:

Wisconsin has a speed limit now. It's just a matter of time & we'll all be under "multi use status". The first trail I hit when I leave my mechanic's house is a "bandit trail". Cross country skiers are on it all the time. We just need to adapt.

No, you need to go to town meetings and pay attention to new rules that are passed, and vote against them when they are in-appropriate, so they don't make you leave your kahonies at home too.