Categories
What's Happening?
Wildlife Webcams
SnoCams
Snowmobile Videos
Business Members/Lodging
Weather Radar
Drag For Sale
Club Shirts
Club Links
Blog/Forum Links
DCNR Links
Meetings
emails
PSSA
Rentals
Safety Classes
Trail Diary 2010
Trail Diary 2009
Trail Diary 2008
Trail Diary 2007
Trail Diary 2006
Trout Tournament
|
Trail Diary 2006
A- Dec. 11, 2005 After doing some last minute trail clearing today we got a chance to ride this afternoon. The Dry Run trail on the north side of route 6 was very bony and the snow was just too light & fluffy. 6 inches deep-but you cut right through it. The railroad trail behind the clubhouse was not bad. Took a spin from the west rim entrance of the canyon at Ansonia, out the West Rim Rd. & over to Leetonia. Made the loop to Thompson Hollow Rd. & then back to Colton Point, and then returned to the clubhouse. Trail was thin in spots but hey - it is only early December. All in all, for this time of year the riding was great. Only had time to put in about 60 miles. The woods trails are not good - stick to the state forest joint-use roads. |  Click Image |
B- Dec. 12, 2005 The trails are getting a little thinner but it has been a lot of years since you could ride this early in the season. We rode from the west rim entrance of the PA Grand Canyon in Ansonia to Slate Run PA. The trails were smooth but a little bony along the creek bottoms. There were some bare spots where the sun had shone on the road. After a good hot meal at the Hotel Manor in Slate Run we returned to Colton Point via the Fahneystock Rd. & the West Rim Rd. A 71 mile round trip. |  Click Image |
C- Dec. 13, 2005 Two of our members rode from the West Rim entrance of the PA Grand Canyon over to Pine Mountain and then went over to Pat Reeder's for lunch. Made the return trip out the route 44 trail to Francis Rd. and then back to the Colton Point area. Trails were thin in spots, but what do you expect for this time of year? A 102 mile round trip. Three of our members came up from the York area and are staying at the Colton Point Motel. When the owners asked them how long they were staying, they said as long as the snow is here. Nancy & Ron might have to buy some extra Christmas Stockings if this keeps up. |  Click Image |
D- Dec. 14, 2005 We left the DCNR parking lot at the West Rim entrance to the PA Grand Canyon & went to Leetonia & then went up the mountain to the pipeline where it crosses rt. 44 at Pine Mountain. The trails are getting thin but still smooth & the higher the trail the more snow is on it. Once we crossed rt. 44 & started toward Cross Fork the trail was bare in spots. Arrived in Cross Fork & watched as half of the locals helped move everything from Deb's old location to the new one at the old Cross Fork Hotel. It was great to see everyone pitching in to help. Like watching an Amish barn-raising. Since they were still moving,the kitchen was not open yet & we decided to return via Germania & get something to eat there. Returned to DCNR parking lot via Mill Run Rd. Total miles today - 115. We are supposed to get some more snow tomorrow night & we really need it. |  Click Image |
E- Dec. 16, 2005 -1 |  Click Image |
F- Dec. 16, 2005 Started out from West Rim Entrance to the canyon, went out Thompson Hollow Rd. then to Pine Mt. & the pipeline. Crossed over 44 & down Whitman rd. Met some riders from Garrett County, MD that were from a camp over near the Young Woman's Creek. They were all on Arctic Cats. Chewed the fat with them for awhile and then to Pat Reeder's for lunch. Returned via the Narrow Gauge Rd. & Trout Run Rd. Passed a groomer working out of the Lycoming County area (Tiadaghton) & then a DCNR checkpoint where Trout Run Rd. meets rt. 44. Met some rangers that we hadn't met before. Good group of guys. Make sure that you have your proof of insurance, owner's card & current stickers on your sled. Continued on to Leetonia & back to the DCNR parking lot at Wilson Station (West Rim Entrance to the canyon) A 91 mile round trip. If you are thinking about coming to the area to sled, shut off your computer & pack your bags. You just don't get this kind of snow this early in the season. It has been many years since & it may be many years to come. Don't think about it, just do it! Snow is like money -- you can always use a little more. We have from 4 to 7 inches of new snow. |  Click Image |
G- Dec. 17, 2005 Groomers were operating today. Some of our members did not ride so that there would be someone at the clubhouse. Had a few folks stop by for some hot soup and coffee. A few new members signed up. Received a few emails this week stating how much they liked the web site. We welcome all comments. We want this to be the place you look for trail conditions and other information about the area. Please check out our business member page and patronize the businesses that support our club & snowmobiling. |  Click Image |
H- Dec. 18, 2005 A reminder---- If you are traveling from the canyon over to the Germania area via Thompson Hollow road, take Cedar Mountain road instead of Smith road. The bottom portion of Smith road is cindered and there are big trucks using this road. | |
I- Dec. 19, 2005 - 1 Our club's groomer groomed the Right Asaph. Bennett rd. Spore Hollow, & Strait Run rd. Our small groomer has problems on the motor that raises & lowers the drag. Work in progress. Had a lot of visitors at the clubhouse this past weekend including a few fellows that are going to IRAQ shortly. I know that they will miss the snow. Good luck and God Speed guys. | |
J- Dec. 19, 2005 Trails groomed by DCNR in the Tioga State Forest------ Sat. 12/17/05 - Painter Leetonia, Francis Leetonia, Bear Run, Wilson Point, Ridge Road, & Thompson Hollow------ Sunday 12/18/05 - West Rim, Fahaneystock, Deadman Hollow, Painter Leetonia (From Colton Rd. to Rexford) The above trails were Groomed beteen 7:00am and 5:30pm on both days. JM |  Click Image |
K- Dec. 20, 2005 A couple of our members went to Cross Fork for lunch today at Deb's Place. Passed DCNR groomers working in Potter & Tioga counties. Trails were smooth for the most part except for a small stretch where some logging was going on. A 99 mile round trip. Got a couple of Atta boys on the website today. Always like them! One was from Ben Y. who went 178 miles on Sunday and I will quote him - It was some of the best riding I have ever done in December My feelings exactly. He also thanks us for how up to date our website is. Another was from a long time friend of mine who does not sled, but has a camp in Potter County and spends about 6 months a year there. He checks the site almost every day. |  Click Image |
L- Dec. 21, 2005 -1 A reminder - The upcoming weekend is a holiday weekend & many business people have plans to be with friends & family. We don't usually have this quality snow this time of year & you should call ahead to make sure that your favorite place to stay is open. The Hotel Manor in Slate Run will be closed from Dec. 22nd thru Dec. 27th. They will reopen Dec. 28th & will be open 7 days a week thru the rest of the year. Open New Years Eve & New Years Day. |  Click Image |
M- Dec. 21, 2005 A lot to report today - All trails were snow covered but some were getting a little thin & bony in spots. We left the canyon & went out Colton rd. & made our way to Leetonia. We then went over Bear Run rd. & Francis rd. to Slate Run rd. Went to Manor Fork rd. & then over to Trout Run rd.. Proceeded to the Lebo Vista. The trail was very rough & bumpy from the Narrow Gauge rd. to the vista. Skip this ride for now. Backtracked towards Slate Run & made a side trip out the scenic Big Trail rd. This is a 6 mile dead end trail that none of us had ever been on before. After a couple of miles, the few tracks that were on the trail made a ubbie & we were riding on ungroomed, uncut virgin snow. Maybe we could start a shuttle service to take al-Queda back there & leave them barefoot with their Virgin snow. There are some nice vistas back there & my fellow sledders were getting hungry & tired of me stopping & taking pictures for the website. We made our way to the Hotel Manor in Slate Run for some good food and conversation with Mark, the hard working owner. When we left there we went over to the Mine Hole rd. & up to the West Rim rd. When what to our wondering eyes should appear, we discovered that the groomer had just been here! Made a left turn & returned to the Ansonia area. A 118 mile trip. |  Click Image |
N- Dec. 22, 2005 The guys aren't riding today. Will go tomorrow if the weather holds. Mine Hole road has a sign that says road closed They replaced a bridge on that road. You can get through with a sled. |  Click Image |
O- Dec. 23, 2005 We left the DCNR parking lot and started out towards Colton Point. We only went a couple of miles & found a couple that had sled problems. We couldn't get them started, so we towed them back to the parking lot & helped them load their sled. This was new to me because I have always been the tow-ee not the tow-er Started out again and got to the vista at Colton Point. Turned right at Dead Man Hollow Rd. The snow is better on that trail than if you went straight on Colton Rd. The trails are starting to get thin & bony. Stick to the higher trails. The trails along the creek bottoms are getting bare in spots. We went to Hyner View & from there to Pat Reeder's for a bite to eat. Talked to some sledders there. I asked if any of them had seen our website & this charming woman told me she checks it every day. Bumped into some of my neighbors that were out taking a ride. We returned via the trail that follows rt. 44 back to the pipeline. This trail was a little bumpy, but not near as bad as I have seen it in the past. It had been groomed in the last couple of days. There will not be any more grooming going on until it gets colder & we get a little more snow. We returned to the parking lot via the pipeline instead of Randall Rd. Log trucks are using Randall Rd. & it is getting very thin. A 120 mile trip. |  Click Image |
P- Dec. 24, 2005 Pat Reeder's will be closed Dec. 24 & 25 -- Ansonia Gulf station will be closed Dec. 24 & 25 --Colton Point motel will be closed Dec. 24 & 25 Keener's store in Cherry Spring will close at 2pm 12/24/2005 ---------------------Received an Email this morning from Allen of Dunmore, PA. We had talked in the DCNR parking lot yesterday morning. He was kind enough to contact us about the trail conditions where he & his buddy rode. They went over past Ole' Bull & hooked up to the pipeline trail that runs along rt. 44 up near Cherry Springs. He said the trails were in good shape & got even better as they got closer to Potato City. Trails north of rt. 6 were not as good. They returned to Colton Point for a total of 206 miles. We can't hit all the trails, so input from other riders is a big help to all. Email - snoguy@chilitech.com |  Click Image |
Q- Dec. 25, 2005 MERRY CHRISTMAS,HAPPY HANUKKAH, & A SNOWY NEW YEAR--------------------------From the board of directors & officers of the PA Grand Canyon Snowmobile Club | |
R- Dec. 26, 2005 -1 Received an e-mail from one of our members who went riding today. He just picked up a new sled the other day & he just had to ride. He went 136 miles but I think he had better check his skags out after that ride. He said the snow wasn't bad on the pipeline but was thin elsewhere. I can't blame him for wanting to go. He is young & doesn't get out as much as us old, long in the tooth, retired guys. I wish I had a file picture of a new blacktop highway to put with this ride report. I suggested to him that if he was determined to ride this week that he should go over to Potato City and ride from there. I dont think there will be any quality riding anywhere this week, but the snow was a little deeper over there. |  Click Image |
S- Dec. 26, 2005 Alas, there is not much to report. Whoever said - No News Is Good News- was not a snowmobiler. For those of you that said - Maybe I'll come up next week - Well, next week is here but the snow isn't. Don't get me wrong - the ground is still white, but the riding is not good. If anyone finds some good snow - please e-mail me at snoguy@chilitech.com |  Click Image |
T- Dec. 27, 2005 We didn't sled today because we are spoiled and get to pick and choose when we want to go. However, some of the younger riders have to go when they have a break in their busy schedules. Very understandable! I went through Germania today & saw some sleds at the gas pumps. I stopped to talk to them and to put in a plug for our website & pick their brains about trail conditions. They were a good bunch that had a camp near Germania and one rider that I talked to was from my old home area in southern Lancaster Co. near the Buck. Yes, I have to confess, I am, or was a Flatlander. Stopped in to see the good people at the Waldheim & the Germania Hotel & met some other sledders from the Allentown area that also have a camp near Germania. There were 13 of them up to sled. I went over to Short Run Rd. to do a little fixit job at my friends camp. Short Run Rd. was icy and when you got down low near Custers Last Stand it was bare. There is some snow to ride on. But if you are fussy as some of us old-timers tend to be, it is not first class snow. |  Click Image |
U- Dec. 28, 2005 The weather forecast for the next few days is not good. Above freezing temps & rain. One of the riders that I spoke to yesterday said that he didn't like the colors that I was wearing. Just like the street Gangs in L.A. Just kidding, there is alot of banter that goes on between riders and most of them are loyal to one brand or another. |  Click Image |
V- Dec. 29, 2005 As I sit here looking out the window - it is raining & 36 degrees. Sadly, there are no big snows or colder temps forecasted in the near future. I have received emails & phone calls asking about motels & rental properties. Please check our business member section, there are plenty listed there. Would you like to be a business member & have a ad on the world wide web? For $20.00 a year, you can be on our site. That's less than 50 cents a week. CHEAP! |  Click Image |
W- Dec. 30, 2005 I check 5 different weather sites on the web. They don't always agree. They are calling for 1 - 3 inches of snow tomorrow. Not quite enough, but we will have to wait & see. Right now the only thing I can think of is the M word! - MUD - We have to keep a towel by the door to wipe our dog's feet. We need colder temps. |  Click Image |
X- Dec. 31, 2005 There is not enough snow to ride, so the clubhouse will not be open this weekend. There were a couple of die-hards out riding yesterday but I wouldn't ride in these conditions. We were supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow & we only got a dusting. So much for the weather forecasts! Have a Safe & Happy New Year. THINK SNOW! |  Click Image |
Y- Jan. 1, 2006 The 2006 trail maps published by the good folks at the Hyner Mountain Snowmobile Club are now available at participating advertisers. Our clubhouse is finally on the map. It wasn't built yet when the last map was printed. - The weather forecast calls for above freezing temps in the daytime until Thursday. Let's see if the weatherman does any better this week. No trail reports. |  Click Image |
Z- Jan. 2, 2006 If this was the middle of March & you were desperate to get in one last ride for the year, you could go on the pipeline and ride back & forth. But if you needed food or gas, you would have to ride on ice & half bare trails to get some. Do you really want to beat your sled up before the season begins? Be patient! We will get some snow. |  Click Image |
a- Jan. 3, 2006 We had a cold, rainy, day yesterday. Woke up this morning to find a couple inches of snow. If only it had been a little bit colder. The next 2 days will have borderline temps. Then it is supposed to get colder. Keep your fingers crossed! THINK SNOW! - UPDATE - We went over to the clubhouse today to catch up on some chores that had to be done. We talked about the M word the other day (MUD) Well today it is the S word. NO, not that one! It's SLUSH! All that nice new snow is goop. Just too darn warm. Tomorrow the Forecast is for - Fog!! The forecasts for later in the week look promising - A Chance Of Snow. You also have a chance of winning the lottery. |  Click Image |
aa- Jan. 4, 2006 It is a cloudy & dreary day. No trails to ride. It would be a good day to take down those Christmas lights. Especially those long stringy ones. In the daytime they look like you upset Spider-man & he webbed your house. Kind of like an ugly woman - only looks good in the dark. |  Click Image |
b- Jan. 5, 2006 We are going (by Car) over to the God's Country Black Forest Club meeting in Germania tonight at 7:30. A lot of us are members of more than one club. We work together with this club on a lot of things and they are a good group of dedicated people. Their great breakfasts start this coming Sunday, snow or no snow. Our rides from our clubhouse to the breakfast will be held when there is enough snow. The weather today is like the end of March, too warm to sled, too cold for anything else. Mud, Ice, & Slushy snow. It's supposed to get colder tonight. No big snows in the forecast. |  Click Image |
bb- Jan. 6, 2006 A slight dusting of snow this morning. No trail report. I did a little snow prayer yesterday and guess what happened? My Cabela's SPRING Catalog arrived in the Mail. I hope that is not an omen. We saw a mature bald eagle today - 2nd one in the last 2 weeks. |  Click Image |
c- Jan. 7, 2006 This will be the last report until we get some snow. Hopefully, that won't be too long - but the forecast for the next few days calls for warming temps. Since you are already on this site, why don't you take a couple of minutes to check out our business member & other sections? Will resume reports as soon as we get enough snow to ride again. Our clubhouse is only open on weekends when there is enough snow to ride. Don't forget - The great Sunday breakfasts at the God's Country / Black Forest Snowmobile Club in Germania start tomorrow - 01/08/2006 and will continue thru March 26th. Snow or no snow. The PA Grand Canyon S.C. monthly meeting will be this Thursday, 01/12/2006 at the clubhouse on Rt. 6 - 7:30 pm. THINK SNOW! |  Click Image |
cc-Jan. 12, 2006 I just finished looking at all the different forecasts for this area. I wish I had something positive to report. A lot of you have a 3 day weekend coming up and are chomping at the bit to ride. It is supposed to get colder over the weekend with a CHANCE of snow, but then it's back to the same kind of weather that we have been having. If there is any change in the forecast, I will post it as soon as possible. Received another nice email - this one from Isaac, unknown location - It is excellent and it's the only thing getting me through the warm temps. - Thank you Isaac. UPDATE - The Potter Co. Snowmobile Asc. has postponed their rodeo in the snow until Jan. 27 - 29. the Winter Frolic at Cherry Springs state park is still on. The 10th annual Winterfest will be held Feb. 4th & 5th Alparon Park - Troy, PA They make their own snow. - snowmobile drag races - safety course |  Click Image |
d- Jan. 17, 2006 I can tell by the counter that there is a lot of you who check this site every day. I am putting this on here just so there is something new on here. The weather reports don't look good for the next week or so. Remember the old saying - red sky in the morning - sailers take warning. A little food for thought - If this saying is really old -(back to when ships relied on the wind for power) - This might have meant a calm day was in store. |  Click Image |
dd- Jan. 18, 2006 I have been checking the net for snow conditions in other states. It seems that most of them are in the same fix that we are. Maybe we will have to wait for that groundhog to see his shadow. The one in Quarryville does not get the publicity that the other one does, so we will give him a plug. |  Click Image |
ddd- Jan. 23, 2006 E-Mail: snoguy@chilitech.com Yesterday was the first time in 3 weeks that I had to scrape ice off of my windshield. This morning we had a little teaser snow just to get our hopes up. This weather is like November instead of late January. We have a chance of snow showers this week, but then it's supposed to warm up over the weekend. I hope that forecast changes as the week goes on. |  Click Image |
e- Jan. 26, 2006 There were 110 hits on this site yesterday & 40 so far this morning. There is a rumor floating around that there is a rideable snow over in Potter County. I have sent emails & made phone calls & as far as I know there is NOT a rideable snow anywhere within 75 miles of here. If I hear of anything, I will post it. I know that you are all getting cabin fever - as am I - I just read in the paper that the Potter County Snowmobile Asc. Rodeo in the Snow that had been rescheduled for this weekend has been cancelled. |  Click Image |
ee- Jan. 27, 2006 I was surfing the net checking out some snowmobile related sites. Some of them were pretty dated. This site has only been up since August and we have had 1800 hits just this month alone. 239 in the last 2 days. I will try to put something on here every few days until we get snow. Just so you know that it is current. I guess it's kind of like checking for the winning lottery number. You keep looking for that winner, but in this case it's a word instead of a number - SNOW! - Believe me, I want to be able to put something positive on here. |  Click Image |
ee- Jan. 29, 2006 Web Site: www.winterfestpa.com Still No Snow! Went to the God's Country / Black Forest Snowmobile club for their all-you-can-eat breakfast this morning. There are a lot of us praying for some snow. Don't forget the Winterfest in Troy, PA next weekend. They make their own snow! Snowmobile drag races Sat. & Sun. A couple of business member notes -- Deb's is now located in downtown Cross Fork. The Ansonia Valley Inn (formally the Twin Pines) will be open in the very near future. |  Click Image |
f - Feb. 2, 2006 Happy Groundhogs Day! Still no trail report. It looks like we will be getting some colder weather next week. Maybe some snow!! Winterfest in Troy, PA is still on for this weekend. They are making snow at night with their new snow making machine. Note - The God's Country/Black Forest snowmobile club meeting in Germania will be held tonight at 7:30 pm. A few of us will be attending. |  Click Image |
f - Feb. 6, 2006 It is white and 20 degrees outside, but still not enough snow to ride. As soon as there is enough snow to ride - it will be posted here. Our monthly meeting will be this Thursday evening - 7:30 pm at the clubhouse. |  Click Image |
f - Feb. 7, 2006 Web Site: www.wnbt.net This is getting very depressing - We finally have the colder temps that we need, but no snow to go along with them. There is a chance of snow flurries or snow showers for the next 5 days, but no big snows in the forecast. Look at the radar picture. See the brown gap in the middle of PA? That is us! I just checked the Wellsboro web site & discovered that they have used one of this sites pictures that I had sent them. (See Jan. 17 on the trail diary page) Thanks Guys! |  Click Image |
f - Feb. 9, 2006 WOW! ARE THE RUMORS FLYING. Yesterday a friend of mine was told that there was 6 inches of snow over in Potter County. He drove over there and the most he could find was 3 inches of light fluffy unrideable snow. I got a phone call this morning from Etown & someone had said that there was 7 inches of snow up here. NOT TRUE! I wish it was. There is a chance, ONLY A CHANCE - of a snow storm Saturday night. It might go up the coast & we would get nothing. I will keep tracking all of the weather sites. |  Click Image |
g - Feb. 10, 2006 The weather forecast is still 'IFFY'. It looks like this will be one of those last minute things when it comes to a rideable snow. We want this site to be 100% reliable. When it involves people traveling several hours towing a snowmobile trailer and spending money on fuel, etc. This site will be updated as soon as we are sure that there is going to be enough snow. |  Click Image |
g - Feb. 14, 2006 Web Site: www.tasteoftioga.com The snow gods have overlooked us up here. We hardly got anything from the big storm of 2006. It all went south and east of here. New York City is almost directly East of Allentown, PA. For some reason, folks think of New York City as being further North. NO TRAIL REPORTS for now. ---The Wellsboro Chamber Of Commerce puts out a quarterly news-magazine called 'ENJOY' They gave a nice write-up about our Trout Tournament that is coming up in May. It is our club's main fund-raiser and it also gives a boost to the local economy. The Chamber is having a new event the same weekend as our tournament. It will be 'A Taste of Tioga County'. Bring your bride up for that and come on over and do some fishing while she enjoys the beautiful town of Wellsboro. The best of both worlds! |  Click Image |
g - Feb. 17, 2006 On Tuesday Feb. 14, our club got a special valentine. We were awarded a grant from the Tioga County Marketing Initiative Grant Awards Review Committee. This grant is based on the ability to attract visitors and increase overnight stays. Our Trout Tournament does this as well as snowmobiling. I know - WHAT SNOWMOBILING? The winter is not over yet! Do you know what the first thing that you can hunt in the Spring is? GROUNDHOG! Poetic Justice. All us sledders have an ax to grind with that old groundhog. |  Click Image |
g - Feb. 18, 2006 'There's nothing to do!' Those of you with kids have heard that many times. They say as you get older you start reverting back to your childhood. My Maple trees are tapped, all my 'honey do's' are done,and there is still no snow. I am getting cabin fever. I heard on the NOAA forecast yesterday that the last part of this month & the first half of March will have colder temps & more precip. than average. Time will tell. An old buddy of mine from Peach Bottom called & is up at his camp. I think I'll run over to his place and kill a few brain cells. |  Click Image |
g - Feb. 20, 2006 Still no snow! Went to the God's Country/ Black Forest Snowmobile Club breakfast over in Germania on Sunday. They sold over 200 meals. That is a lot considering the fact that there is no snow. Don't forget their winter picnic this coming Saturday the 25th. 11 am til 5 pm. They are chancing off a new sled. |  Click Image |
g - Feb. 23, 2006 RING, RING, - Hello! Is this Mr. Snow? - Yes it is! - Are you coming in today?? - There's a chance! - How about tomorrow? - There's a slight chance! - How about next week? - There's a 30% chance! - How about next month? - MAYBE! -Look Mr. Snow, if you don't make up your mind soon, we are going to lay you off for the next 9 months and go with Mr. Rain. -- NUF SAID!! |  Click Image |
g - Feb. 27, 2006 Still no riding snow. Had a couple of inches to tease us the other day, but that is all. The God's Country/ Black Forest winter picnic had a good turnout despite the fact that there was no snow. Almost two hundred. They had a little over one hundred at their breakfast the next day. |  Click Image |
h - Mar 10, 2006 I saw the first red-winged blackbird of the season today. BUT - For ye of little faith, I checked last years log & we rode on March 12, 13,& 14. Also got 72 miles in on over 6 1/2 inches of snow on March 23. We have some new business members, please check them out and patronize the people that are supporting our club. |  Click Image |
h - Mar. 1, 2006 Just checked a few weather sites. I hate to get our hopes up too soon because the snow gods have left us standing at the alter before. But - IF - the forecast is correct, this might be the one we have been waiting for. Keep watching this site and the weather forecasts. |  Click Image |
h - Mar. 2, 2006 UPDATE - It is 11pm & we do have snow! We are going out riding tomorrow morning and will probably be unkind to our skags. We drove over to the God's Country/Black Forest Snowmobile Club meeting tonight. There is only a couple of inches of snow over there. After the meeting we drove up to the Colton Point Vista at the west rim of the canyon. We saw some sled tracks & we decided to give it a try in the morning. It will not be the best of conditions but this late in the season it is worth a shot. I will post a report as soon as we return home tomorrow. We will probably ride until we run out of snow & then turn around & go back to Colton Point. There is a chance of snow showers, but no more big snows for awhile. We try to make this site the most reliable,honest,& up to date. I have a close friend in Johnstown who loves to snowmobile. Would I call him up & say, hey - get your butt up here, the sledding is great? NO - That would be a lie. But,the days are numbered and the ground is white. |  Click Image |
h - Mar. 3, 2006 We went out riding today & the conditions were not the greatest but better than we expected. It was good enough that we are going to go again tomorrow. Started out at the west rim entrance to the canyon & went over to the Hotel Manor in Slate Run for lunch. After leaving there we went up Slate Run Rd. to route 44. Along the way we came across a fellow sledder who had broken down. (Been there - done that) We couldn't get him started, so we helped him get his sled back to his camp. Proceeded along the route 44 trail towards Pine Mountain & the pipeline. This was not a good choice after eating a pepperoni pizza for lunch. The trail was not smooth! We worked our way back to the clubhouse and all in all, it was pretty darn good riding. Bony & bare in spots but there was a layer of ice under the snow that protected the skags a little. There is 'a chance of snow showers' tonight & hopefully that will cover the bald spots. The bottom line is -- This could be the last ride of the year- I have nine months to save up for a new pair of skags! This was an 85 mile ride. |  Click Image |
h - Mar. 4, 2006 Four of us met at the west rim DCNR parking lot at 9:30 am. Went out the West Rim Rd., down the Fahneystock, over thru downtown Leetonia, then on up to Wilson Point Rd. down Cedar Mountain Rd. & back to our clubhouse for one of Ralph Weaver's hot roast beef sandwiches. Trails were getting very bony & thin. I think we are done for at least the next week or so. Do not give up until April 1st, we can get some awesome snows in March. A 70 mile ride today. |  Click Image |
h - Mar. 8, 2006 It ain't over til it's over! But, it doesn't look good. At least for the next week or so. How many deer can you spot in this picture? |  Click Image |
h - mar. 14, 2006 Had a lot of robins,a pair of bluebirds,a grackle,purple finch,Brutis the bear, & a rainbow. But no snow! The forecast is only for snow showers so far, but things can change. |  Click Image |
hh - Mar. 20, 2006 The SNOW word is still mentioned in the forecast for this week, but there are no riding snows mentioned. There is still a faint glimmer of hope. Went over to the God's Country/Black Forest Snowmobile Club in Germania for breakfast yesterday. Next week is their last breakfast for the season. A lot of you good folks renew your snowmobile club memberships every year when you come up to ride. Since this has been such a poor year, membership figures are down. If you are a member of a club or clubs (you are allowed to belong to more than one) - please renew your membership. Most clubs run on a very tight budget and need your support. If you don't have our postal address, or any other club's address in this area please email me at snoguy@chilitech.com & I will get it to you. Our club's main fundraiser is our spring trout tournament May 20th & 21st. |  Click Image |
hh - Mar. 28, 2006 We went to the last breakfast of the season over at the God's Country/Black Forest Snowmobile club in Germania. Will miss getting together with fellow snowmobilers every week. I put the snow shovel and my winter underwear away but just don't have the heart to put the sled away for the summer. Not just yet - maybe in a couple of more weeks. I would like to thank all of the faithful sledders who click on to this site every day and have to apologize for not doing more updates the last two weeks. There has been no snow and not much else to report on. Our club's main fundraiser - the Upper Pine Creek Trout Tournament is coming up in May. The 20th & 21st. The applications are downloadable from this website. Hope to see you there! |  Click Image |
i April 1, 2006 Today is the cut-off date for riding on state trails. If we get a rideable snow in the next two weeks (FAT CHANCE), the riding would have to be on private land. |  Click Image |
|
|