Island Park Snow Conditions
- Thread starter Dano702
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G
GMCRMK
Well-known member
accident
A snowmobile accident near ponds
A snowmobile accident near ponds
G
GMCRMK
Well-known member
accident
Yes, I know it was sunday, i was there. It was a very sad incident.
Yes, I know it was sunday, i was there. It was a very sad incident.
G
GMCRMK
Well-known member
I'm sorry.
I assumed the other post was about something else. But I can see if you where even just near there it would be tough. It must have been horrible
Take care & be safe.
accident
It was very sad. I am on the way right now to his wake. He was my best friend. To all snowmobilers please be careful, life is way to short to have it end this way.
It was very sad. I am on the way right now to his wake. He was my best friend. To all snowmobilers please be careful, life is way to short to have it end this way.
S
snengineer
Well-known member
What happend at ponds? what was the accident?
A
adrenaline junkey
Well-known member
Im very sorry for your loss my deepest condolences
http://www.islandparknews.com/atf.php?sid=5835¤t_edition=2009-02-06
C
cookie-eater
New member
I was up there on friday (2/6/09) it looked like there was about 3 inches of new sience the week before at Bills Island. Any one have a update on how it is up high?
I didn't even hear about the Ponds thing. Can someone post the whole story? Their site doesn't let me see it all.
Had a rather unfortunate breakdown that almost cost me the night on the mountain after getting seperated from the group I was "riding" with. I say "riding" because it was friggen mayhem and I'll never ride in a big group again.
Had a rather unfortunate breakdown that almost cost me the night on the mountain after getting seperated from the group I was "riding" with. I say "riding" because it was friggen mayhem and I'll never ride in a big group again.
Here is the news article thanks to google:
ISLAND PARK — An unsafe snowmobile crossing is responsible for the death of a Minnesota snowmobiler here on Sunday, February 1, says one of the deceased snowmobiler’s friends.
James L. “Jimmy” Albertson, 50, of Stillwater, MN. was killed instantly when he was struck by a small van while crossing Hwy. 20 at approximately 11 a. m. near milepost 387 south of Pond’s Lodge.
The Fremont County Sheriff’s report says the van’s driver saw the snowmachine but it was “too late to avoid the accident.”
Tony Grove, also of Stillwater, said he and Albertson were part of a group of friends who take a snowmobiling vacation together in this area every winter, using West Yellowstone as their base. He said all the snowmobilers in the group are experienced, safe riders, but the snowmobile crossing where Albertson was killed was “the most unsafe and the worst crossing I have ever seen in all my years of snowmobiling. It is just terrible that this caused such a tragedy so easily,” Grove said in a phone interview today — Thursday, February 5.
Grove said he wants to let the Island Park community know that he and the other snowmobilers in his group hope the crossing will be made safe. He said the crossing has serious issues. First, a tree was in front of the stop sign, blocking it from view. Grove said one of the Fremont County deputies who had responded to the accident remarked that the tree should not be there, and a few hours later, it had been cut down.
Second, Grove, said, the stop sign is “much too close to the highway. You come right up on it after going around a curve.” He said the stop sign should be moved closer to the curve, and there should be a sign warning riders that a crossing and a stop sign are ahead.
Grove said he realized the were coming to the crossing not because of any signs, but because he saw the top of a semi truck, and figured the highway must be ahead.
The crossing is part of the groomed trail system on National Forest land maintained by the Fremont County Parks and Recreation Department’s snowmobile program. Fremont County Deputy, Bruce Mattingly, said he contacted the Parks and Recreation Department supervisor, Tamra Cikaitoga when he saw that trees and brush were possibly obstructing the visibility at the intersection. Mattingly said he could not say if the vegetation contributed to the accident. “That’s up to the investigating officer to determine,” Mattingly said.
Cikaitoga said she had a snowmobile trail groomer cut down some trees and brush, but some vegetation had already been cut when the groomer arrived. She said she was not aware of any safety issues at the crossing, and wishes that anyone with concerns about any trails would call her at 624.3341 ext. 101.
Grove said he is glad the crossing has been cleared, but, “It’s too late for Jimmy.”
The group of snowmobilers included Jack Morris, a former major league baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, and other teams.
He also said a West Yellowstone businessman at a shop where one of the men in his group rented a snowmobile said local snowmobilers know the crossing is not safe.
Albertson is survived by his wife, Janine, and daughter, Bailey. He was a Stillwater native, graduated from Stillwater High School, and worked in the landscaping business.
ISLAND PARK — An unsafe snowmobile crossing is responsible for the death of a Minnesota snowmobiler here on Sunday, February 1, says one of the deceased snowmobiler’s friends.
James L. “Jimmy” Albertson, 50, of Stillwater, MN. was killed instantly when he was struck by a small van while crossing Hwy. 20 at approximately 11 a. m. near milepost 387 south of Pond’s Lodge.
The Fremont County Sheriff’s report says the van’s driver saw the snowmachine but it was “too late to avoid the accident.”
Tony Grove, also of Stillwater, said he and Albertson were part of a group of friends who take a snowmobiling vacation together in this area every winter, using West Yellowstone as their base. He said all the snowmobilers in the group are experienced, safe riders, but the snowmobile crossing where Albertson was killed was “the most unsafe and the worst crossing I have ever seen in all my years of snowmobiling. It is just terrible that this caused such a tragedy so easily,” Grove said in a phone interview today — Thursday, February 5.
Grove said he wants to let the Island Park community know that he and the other snowmobilers in his group hope the crossing will be made safe. He said the crossing has serious issues. First, a tree was in front of the stop sign, blocking it from view. Grove said one of the Fremont County deputies who had responded to the accident remarked that the tree should not be there, and a few hours later, it had been cut down.
Second, Grove, said, the stop sign is “much too close to the highway. You come right up on it after going around a curve.” He said the stop sign should be moved closer to the curve, and there should be a sign warning riders that a crossing and a stop sign are ahead.
Grove said he realized the were coming to the crossing not because of any signs, but because he saw the top of a semi truck, and figured the highway must be ahead.
The crossing is part of the groomed trail system on National Forest land maintained by the Fremont County Parks and Recreation Department’s snowmobile program. Fremont County Deputy, Bruce Mattingly, said he contacted the Parks and Recreation Department supervisor, Tamra Cikaitoga when he saw that trees and brush were possibly obstructing the visibility at the intersection. Mattingly said he could not say if the vegetation contributed to the accident. “That’s up to the investigating officer to determine,” Mattingly said.
Cikaitoga said she had a snowmobile trail groomer cut down some trees and brush, but some vegetation had already been cut when the groomer arrived. She said she was not aware of any safety issues at the crossing, and wishes that anyone with concerns about any trails would call her at 624.3341 ext. 101.
Grove said he is glad the crossing has been cleared, but, “It’s too late for Jimmy.”
The group of snowmobilers included Jack Morris, a former major league baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, and other teams.
He also said a West Yellowstone businessman at a shop where one of the men in his group rented a snowmobile said local snowmobilers know the crossing is not safe.
Albertson is survived by his wife, Janine, and daughter, Bailey. He was a Stillwater native, graduated from Stillwater High School, and worked in the landscaping business.
A
adrenaline junkey
Well-known member
When we ride in island park there is always around 30 of us. we always do a head count and riders group up according to riding style and ability. Works pretty good, people watch out for there little group and do head counts oftin. Also take some sort of colored ribbon and tie it on each member of your group sled so ya don't end up following someone else.At every crossing first person there stops and gets the group across safely then picks up the rear works pretty good. also garmin rhinos are a plus with there polling feature helps when someone strays too far away unnoticed. But riding in big party's is tuff but can be done successfully.
Too many in one group!
You get delays in getting goin from:
- The guy who decides to open his hood 30 seconds b4 the group is leaving
- The guy who decides to take a leak after the group has left
That sort of stuff.......
Break up into groups of no more than 8-10, even that is too many most of the time.....
S
snengineer
Well-known member
Any updates on new snow this week?
Great Riding In IP Feb. 1-3
Even though there wasn't much new snow I can't remember the trail conditions being any better for as long as I've been riding up there. Though we didn't spend much time on the trails, props to the groomers. Here are a few pics.
Even though there wasn't much new snow I can't remember the trail conditions being any better for as long as I've been riding up there. Though we didn't spend much time on the trails, props to the groomers. Here are a few pics.
Was wondering were to ride around Iland Park? Have never been there but will be there 2-17 thru the weekend.. Would prefer off trail riding!!! Thanks for any and all info..
C
cookie-eater
New member
It depends on what Kind of off trail riding you do. (Flats, Hills, Jump, etc.)
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