Bozeman area snowmobile closures

[anziconda]

Whats the latest news on the Hylite area and gallitan closures that have been proposed? Anyone heard anything? I was up in hylite now too long ago and noticed they're plowing the road all the way to the lake...now it it ten times more crowded up there. Anybody in a two wheel drive can get to the lake. They also have the gate closed on the dam so to get to the bowls they're forcing people to ride across the lake....B.S. if you ask me. Its funny this plan is suposed to help the forest, but now everyone and their dog can and is all over up there whereas before only 4x4s and snowmobiles could get up there which I think cut way back on the usage. These greenies that are getting all these areas closed have to be stopped!!! I also heard a rumor that Brackett creek is closed to snowmobiles???? Anybody else heard this? Please update me if you have any info on any of this, also if you know the local organization that is fighting the Gallitan closures, provide me with contact info so I can help kick the greenies in the *** and fight this b.s.

thanks,
Bryan

 

[To The Pipe]

F.S. says the Hyalite and Emerald trails are closed at the trailheads. However, I have heard of people riding there this season. Some say screw it, the closures were not legal and it's tied up in court, some say just try and catch me on my(insert turbo, nos, etc. sled here) and yet another crowd is still fighting in the courts. Sorry it's not much help, if it makes you feel any better, I don't think anyone in Bozo is 100% certain either. Try and contact somebody from Citizens for Balanced Use for the latest legal scoop. Personally, I am not riding up there because even a $90 fine is too much for me right now, plus that is gas for the truck and sled for one more weekend of riding and I'd rather "the man" not take any more of my money than he already does.

 

[anziconda]

That is what I've heard as well. Have you heard anything about Brackett Creek being closed? Thanks for your input and keep me posted with any other news....

 

[FastM8]

Look at the travel plan map that the Forest Service put out this Dec. It shows whats open and whats closed to sledders, some of Bracket Creek is closed, Last I heard from a "friend of mine that works law enforcement for the forest service...is that whats on the map thats closed is closed as of now...he just as pissed about it as I am....but if you're CAUGHT they can fine you...

 

[SNOW JW]

Fast I think I know the guy your are talking about.

Has anyone looked at the map. It is very-very hard to read??

So is it tied up in legal crap????

Seems like no-one has a clue everyone I ask has no Idea. From the sounds of it the county plowed the road up to the lake and the FS is pissed about it. If you ask me let them plow it the area is for EVERYONE to enjoy wether it be BC people ice climbers or some high school kids getting it on in the car.

As long as everyone gets along and does not destruct the area.

 

[CleElum Sledhead]

Whats the latest news on the Hylite area and gallitan closures that have been proposed? Anyone heard anything? I was up in hylite now too long ago and noticed they're plowing the road all the way to the lake...now it it ten times more crowded up there. Anybody in a two wheel drive can get to the lake. They also have the gate closed on the dam so to get to the bowls they're forcing people to ride across the lake....B.S. if you ask me. Its funny this plan is suposed to help the forest, but now everyone and their dog can and is all over up there whereas before only 4x4s and snowmobiles could get up there which I think cut way back on the usage. These greenies that are getting all these areas closed have to be stopped!!! I also heard a rumor that Brackett creek is closed to snowmobiles???? Anybody else heard this? Please update me if you have any info on any of this, also if you know the local organization that is fighting the Gallitan closures, provide me with contact info so I can help kick the greenies in the *** and fight this b.s.
thanks,
Bryan

This is a bad deal for sure, but me thinks you are coming around a little bit late in the process to have much success fighting this B.S., although the fight is not totally over, the chances now are very thin.

When did you first learn of this closure?

And what did you do to try and stop it PRIOR to the closure?

Not trying to rain on your parade, like I said it is a bad deal, I am just wondering what you did to try and stop it BEFORE they decided to shut it down. Just curious.

 

[SNOW JW]

Yes most all of us tried but then again they threw out a bunch of our comments because they were not put in the right context or something. Bunch of BS

 

[CleElum Sledhead]

Yes most all of us tried but then again they threw out a bunch of our comments because they were not put in the right context or something. Bunch of BS

That would be illegal.

They can, and as they did with mine, said there was no relavent information in the comment, but they can not throw them out and not include them in the record - As long as you put your name and address on your comment.

The end result might be nearly the same, but they can not throw them out.

 

[the dude]

i talked to a little bird who is in close contact with the man who is a big part of CBU... he told me that it is still all tied up in court. He also stated that if you are ticketed for riding in an area that was open last year (hyalite) you should contact CBU and take your ticket to them. they will fight the ticket with you!! It is rumored that the FS is attempting to do an experimental closure of some of these areas to see how much chit gets stirred up... (this is just what i heard... nothing concrete)

EVERY PERSON WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY THESE CLOSURES SHOULD HAVE THE CBU LICENSE PLATE!!!!!!!!!! this is a really good organization that needs everyones support.. (i have the plates on both of my rigs)

www.balanceduse.org

 

[snokaw]

I was up there over the first of the year. People I talked to up at the Fairy Lake trailhead (I'm not sure if thats the correct name) north of Brackett Creek, told me Brackett Creek was closed. The sign at the trailhead only said that rules had changed, Not much info up there. It sucks! One dude at trailhead told me that the gal in charge of FS in the district pushed these closures through. She has since moved to another district. I still saw alot of tracks out of Brackett Creek. Hard to tell what is closed & whats not.

 

[SNOW JW]

That is what also kills us. The talk gets around that the area is closed so rather than looking into it some guys just sit on there couch with the TV and say that sucks rather than looking into the rules. Older folks are the worst "sledding just not what it used to be we will not be able to ride at all next year you watch sunny" then our numbers draw back FS then says no intrest so close it.

Just my rant of the day.

 

[GlennRMK]

We went up Hylite last weekend. We parked at Grotto Falls and headed up the trail. When we came out, a Ranger was parked at the Reservoir. She asked were we went and then proceeded to tell us that it was closed.

However, we had the current map and asked about it and said it looked to us like the trail was open up to Hylite Lake. She replied that it did look like that and told us she must of been told wrong on what was open.

We did not receive a ticket.

If you look at the map, it is a POS. The detail is pathetic.

The road is open to snowmobiles. When I go again, I will just park at the reservoir and ride up. That way if they ask were we went, we can reply for a nice leisurely trail ride down the road.

This Forest Service BS sucks. Public land is not really so public anymore.

I know a few people that have riding from the bottom of Brackett still. Not sure what the deal is there.

Anyone know what the deal is with Lions Head? Is that closed too? People still riding up there?

 

[CleElum Sledhead]

That is what also kills us. The talk gets around that the area is closed so rather than looking into it some guys just sit on there couch with the TV and say that sucks rather than looking into the rules. Older folks are the worst "sledding just not what it used to be we will not be able to ride at all next year you watch sunny" then our numbers draw back FS then says no intrest so close it.

Who are you referring to?

I am as pissed as anyone about this.

 

[anziconda]

Update:
Have heard from several dependable sources details of the Brackett creek area. I guess the bottom is the only thing closed. Around the area of the sledding hill that is about 1/2 mile in. I guess you have to go to the battle ridge campground to park now but the trail from there to the bowls is open as are the bowls themselves. whew! As far as hylite goes everybody is confused but agrees that no tickets will probably be issued this year if you do get caught in a grey area. As for the guy that posted wanting to know what I did to fight this closure before it happened, I'll have to admit I didn't know of it untill it was too late that is why I asked about the local clubs/organizations that I could join to stop this in the future. Growing up in this area, Im sick of having my childhood stomping grounds closed down one after the other.
thanks