09/10 McCall Area Snow Report
- Thread starter acs47x
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D
Desperado
Well-known member
I think parks and rec should take over the program from Valley county. It is to political at the county level and in most cases the county treats the grooming program as their redheaded step child. I was involved in that program for 1 season and that was enough for me. Todd Wernex PLEASE don't let this program get back to where it was a few years ago!!!! Take it away from Valley county and run it at the Parks and Rec level. Until I see grooming I will NOT buy my sticker. It's sad one of the premier riding areas in the state with a huge amount of groomed and ungroomed riding areas and they can't get it right.
I am tired of this.
After a good nights sleep, and some reflection, good luck all.
After a good nights sleep, and some reflection, good luck all.
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I don't understand. I come from out of town and spend a considerable amount of money in the local economy. I guess out of towners money is not important. I come because the snow is great and the grooming has been spectacular. Please maintain the grooming.
The more I think about it, the more I think our best hope is Adam's county. The prime snowmobile riding is actually in Adams and Idaho county. If High elevation and brundage were groomed, and the trail from Westface to brundage groomed, a fellow could skip mccall and valley county entirely.
Adams county is HURTING for money. They would probably appreciate a few winter jobs.
Adams county is HURTING for money. They would probably appreciate a few winter jobs.
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Doug's (DRMILLER) comments are pretty much right on. Everyone tired of fighting this. Why did the wait until one of the busiest times of the year to start the groomers and check them out? The county commissioners wait until the last minute to hire a guy and then he works one day and quits. He said it is too much to do. I do not know if he even knows the trails and how much to groom where.
I am sick of this. Are you? Call and let them know.
I can't find Email here is the phone number.
Valley County Commissioners-
CHAIRMAN
GERALD “JERRY” WINKLE
COMMISSIONERS
FRANK W. ELD
GORDON L. CRUICKSHANK
208-382-7100
I am sick of this. Are you? Call and let them know.
I can't find Email here is the phone number.
Valley County Commissioners-
CHAIRMAN
GERALD “JERRY” WINKLE
COMMISSIONERS
FRANK W. ELD
GORDON L. CRUICKSHANK
208-382-7100
So are you guys saying dont go to McCall to ride any time soon????
A
Arctic Thunder
Well-known member
Someone should start a new thread just about the pi$$ poor grooming going on in this area!!!
I just dropped $128 bucks to get the licenses for my sleds. I sent the money to the 25a area. I thought about putting it somewhere else. From the sounds of it I should have!!
I personally don't really care about the grooming to much. But when I take my wife and little ones I want a good trail.
And to be honest after a long day of beating the steep and deep. Nothing is a prettier site then nice cordaroy for the quick trip home.
Lets get this back on topic and see some pictures and snow reports of the McCall area for the the year!
Thunder
I just dropped $128 bucks to get the licenses for my sleds. I sent the money to the 25a area. I thought about putting it somewhere else. From the sounds of it I should have!!
I personally don't really care about the grooming to much. But when I take my wife and little ones I want a good trail.
And to be honest after a long day of beating the steep and deep. Nothing is a prettier site then nice cordaroy for the quick trip home.
Lets get this back on topic and see some pictures and snow reports of the McCall area for the the year!
Thunder
D
Desperado
Well-known member
The problem is that it's to late for Adams county to get invloved this year. Yes Doug we have very supportive commisioners down here and a great ali in Scott but we have no support buildings to take over the program. Valley county made sure of that when they built one groomer shed at Francie Wallace parking and the other at the Donlley club so for us to take it over we would need a place to service and store the grooomers. We lobied hard to have the Francie shed put at west face. It was easily accessable for transport, it already had power on site and was more centrally located for trail access grooming but we lost. We will do what we can this year from our end but for this year I don't see Adams county being a major player in getting the grooming resolved. I suggest that everyone swamp Parks and Rec with their complaints about the program. For you out of town folks not only swamp Parks and Rec but also swamp valley com folks, McCall and Cascade Chamber of Commerce letting them know your dollars will not spent in their community due to the terrible conditions. Oh and as of Sat the trail from goose lake out past hazard was horrible. I'm still trying to get my kidneys back into their proper location.
D
Desperado
Well-known member
In order to give Adams county more pull put the money into area 02 I believe. I'll check this evening and update. Most of the trails are in Adams Co anyway and the more money we have the more we can influence when Valley comes looking for money. Our comm are very supportive of snowmobiling!!!
hows the riding?
R
Ron
ACCOUNT CLOSED
Adams County is #2; McCall is 43a
Red Ridge was groomed last weekend and as of yesterday the upper elevation was groomed-at least some of it.
Personally I like the Wyoming program, unless it's changed they put grooming out for bid. Parties bid a five year deal so that they can pay for the equipment, with a contractual obligation on what and when they groom. If they don't groom they don't get paid for that time so breakdowns hurt them...incentive to keep equip fixed and maintained. Wy has an inspection process to see that the work is done...I've been stopped more than once for info on where I rode and trail conditions.
Idaho's system sucks because there is no accountablilty other than enough complaints might get Parks and Rec making some phone calls. (After the fact rather than proactive) The County Commissioners don't always care about this function, especially in Valley County. There are some good people on the State grooming committee that have some advisory clout. But bottom line is that the system fails too often. No one would try to run a private business this way but it seems to work well for the State-NOT.
You have to wonder why the equipment wasn't taken on a shake down cruise long ago? Call it training and equipment evaluation, just go out for a few miles. Who checks the year end maint. or does it get done at all? Why are there equipment issues at the beginning of the season? Bad luck? or more likely bad management!
Edit: I don't see how giving more money to Adams County will help unless they are given control of a groomer. There is leverage from McCall businesses, and others applied but it really doesn't solve a (lack of) management issue.
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I
idaspud
Active member
Grooming program
Ron, I think that the State requires the Counties to run the grooming program and I think they have to have a local club as part of the program. I THINK, but if someone knows better, let us know. So it would seem the State Parks or maybe even the legislature are the ones to go to.
The grooming is now getting done; remember we had no snow until right before the Holidays to test run the machines on. The State says "no grooming until the snow is 2 feet deep" and if they did go out before that time, it could tear the machines up, so it's a can't win deal. And yes, the machines were completely gone thru before the season started and remember, they are under very severe service. They broke down under previous operators too. No comment about the hiring of the coordinator.
Spud.
Ron, I think that the State requires the Counties to run the grooming program and I think they have to have a local club as part of the program. I THINK, but if someone knows better, let us know. So it would seem the State Parks or maybe even the legislature are the ones to go to.
The grooming is now getting done; remember we had no snow until right before the Holidays to test run the machines on. The State says "no grooming until the snow is 2 feet deep" and if they did go out before that time, it could tear the machines up, so it's a can't win deal. And yes, the machines were completely gone thru before the season started and remember, they are under very severe service. They broke down under previous operators too. No comment about the hiring of the coordinator.
Spud.
R
Ron
ACCOUNT CLOSED
Hi Mel,
I'm taking a 15 year view of grooming, the last few years have been good to great. No doubt there is a lot of volunteer effort that goes into this and snow conditions play a part. The McCall club has likely been the unsung hero too frequently. I just think the system is flawed-the organization structure isn't in any text book. That's the states fault (Parks and Rec) and I think they like it the way it is because it's easy to pass the buck when things go wrong. The County plays no part other than they get a function that many comissioners don't understand and don't want. The local club volunteers and provide free help but don't really have much authority...correct?
Are Groomers a lot like sleds in one regard...the operator/owner has a lot to do with longevity and frequency of breakdowns? Then managing the groomer program must take some experience and ability to work with the local club that provides free resources. Management ability to make sure the job gets done and the equipment isn't abused. If the County hires the wrong person what happens to the system....who's accountable? I'm not complaining about the people really, it's worked pretty well the last 3 years. But the system has none of the normal checks and balances and so problems (in the past) are reactionary and then the finger pointing starts.
Waiting until the week before Christmas to take the groomers out for at least a test eval doen't make sense. There must be a way to run them a few miles. The Groomer works under extreme conditions and then sits for 8 or 9 months.
Sorry if my previous comments seemed critical of the local people. There would likely be a disaster every year without them.
I'm taking a 15 year view of grooming, the last few years have been good to great. No doubt there is a lot of volunteer effort that goes into this and snow conditions play a part. The McCall club has likely been the unsung hero too frequently. I just think the system is flawed-the organization structure isn't in any text book. That's the states fault (Parks and Rec) and I think they like it the way it is because it's easy to pass the buck when things go wrong. The County plays no part other than they get a function that many comissioners don't understand and don't want. The local club volunteers and provide free help but don't really have much authority...correct?
Are Groomers a lot like sleds in one regard...the operator/owner has a lot to do with longevity and frequency of breakdowns? Then managing the groomer program must take some experience and ability to work with the local club that provides free resources. Management ability to make sure the job gets done and the equipment isn't abused. If the County hires the wrong person what happens to the system....who's accountable? I'm not complaining about the people really, it's worked pretty well the last 3 years. But the system has none of the normal checks and balances and so problems (in the past) are reactionary and then the finger pointing starts.
Waiting until the week before Christmas to take the groomers out for at least a test eval doen't make sense. There must be a way to run them a few miles. The Groomer works under extreme conditions and then sits for 8 or 9 months.
Sorry if my previous comments seemed critical of the local people. There would likely be a disaster every year without them.
I
idaspud
Active member
we do agree
Hi Ron, I agree on most everything. The commissioners are running the county and the grooming is not one of their priorities. It has been way down on the list. It is a part time position for someone to take care of for four + months and that is part of the problem. Do appreciate your comments about the volunteers, and they have done a lot this last week to help get the machines running.
Let me and Ted know when you are coming up in January and we can get together and follow you on another one of your wild rides out in the boondocks.
And the snow is coming down and we do need it. We got about 2 inches last night, up to 3 more today forecast for today, but the storm coming in tomorrow night is suppose to drop up to 22 inches thru New Years day. That will help cover the stumps and old tracks and then it should be great getting off the trail. The groomers are all running now in the 43A area. Smiths Ferry still has over-heating problem that is being worked on.
Don't forget the Donnelly Fun Run on Saturday.
Spud
Hi Ron, I agree on most everything. The commissioners are running the county and the grooming is not one of their priorities. It has been way down on the list. It is a part time position for someone to take care of for four + months and that is part of the problem. Do appreciate your comments about the volunteers, and they have done a lot this last week to help get the machines running.
Let me and Ted know when you are coming up in January and we can get together and follow you on another one of your wild rides out in the boondocks.
And the snow is coming down and we do need it. We got about 2 inches last night, up to 3 more today forecast for today, but the storm coming in tomorrow night is suppose to drop up to 22 inches thru New Years day. That will help cover the stumps and old tracks and then it should be great getting off the trail. The groomers are all running now in the 43A area. Smiths Ferry still has over-heating problem that is being worked on.
Don't forget the Donnelly Fun Run on Saturday.
Spud
I
idaspud
Active member
To quote the weather service
"PRECIPITATION WILL START AS SNOW AT ALL
ELEVATIONS THURSDAY EVENING THEN CHANGE TO RAIN BY MIDNIGHT IN THE
VALLEYS BELOW 4500 FT. IN THE MOUNTAINS ABOVE 7000 FT UP TO A FOOT
OF NEW SNOW COULD ACCUMULATE BY FRIDAY MORNING. ON FRIDAY VALLEY
RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW WILL CONTINUE WITH AN ADDITIONAL 6 TO 10
INCHES OF SNOW AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS."
Let it snow, just hope it doesn't get too warm.
Should be a great weekend for riding and skiing.
"PRECIPITATION WILL START AS SNOW AT ALL
ELEVATIONS THURSDAY EVENING THEN CHANGE TO RAIN BY MIDNIGHT IN THE
VALLEYS BELOW 4500 FT. IN THE MOUNTAINS ABOVE 7000 FT UP TO A FOOT
OF NEW SNOW COULD ACCUMULATE BY FRIDAY MORNING. ON FRIDAY VALLEY
RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW WILL CONTINUE WITH AN ADDITIONAL 6 TO 10
INCHES OF SNOW AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS."
Let it snow, just hope it doesn't get too warm.
Should be a great weekend for riding and skiing.
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K
keeton
Member
word
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D
Desperado
Well-known member
From RON
Edit: I don't see how giving more money to Adams County will help unless they are given control of a groomer. There is leverage from McCall businesses, and others applied but it really doesn't solve a (lack of) management issue.
Ron giving more money to Adams helps in several ways One it helped pay for the west face parking lot build and restrooms, paid for parking lots as Wallace ranch, Price valley, and Mill creek. Pays for plowing of west face, wallace ranch price valley and mill creek. Pays for restrooms at all mentioned parking lots. Also the money from area 2 at the Comm discression is given to Valley county to help pay for grooming fuel. This was a BIG deal the year I was in the program in that Valley ran out of groomer funds. So sending moeny to Adams does help the program and does give our commissioners some leverage in the groomer issue. The more money we have the more we can influence what happens.
Since this is a snow report thread, McCall received about 4in of snow in town today. It snowed all day with more expected tonight. The mountains are to receive up to a foot of new snow. The weather currently is foggy with limited visability, but is ridable. Snow is expected throughout the weekend with varying degrees of intensity.
Edit: I don't see how giving more money to Adams County will help unless they are given control of a groomer. There is leverage from McCall businesses, and others applied but it really doesn't solve a (lack of) management issue.
Ron giving more money to Adams helps in several ways One it helped pay for the west face parking lot build and restrooms, paid for parking lots as Wallace ranch, Price valley, and Mill creek. Pays for plowing of west face, wallace ranch price valley and mill creek. Pays for restrooms at all mentioned parking lots. Also the money from area 2 at the Comm discression is given to Valley county to help pay for grooming fuel. This was a BIG deal the year I was in the program in that Valley ran out of groomer funds. So sending moeny to Adams does help the program and does give our commissioners some leverage in the groomer issue. The more money we have the more we can influence what happens.
Since this is a snow report thread, McCall received about 4in of snow in town today. It snowed all day with more expected tonight. The mountains are to receive up to a foot of new snow. The weather currently is foggy with limited visability, but is ridable. Snow is expected throughout the weekend with varying degrees of intensity.
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