McCall Trails, Need a favor

[drmiller100]

Howdy,

Some of us are pretty proud of our trails here this year.

There is also a very vocal group up here who say the trails were not that good, and the negatives from the changes greatly outweigh the benefits.

There are decision makers who just hear two different sides bickering.

So, a favor, Please.

Please respond to this thread, or send me a private message, and give YOUR feedback about McCall/Donnelley/Brundage trails.

When you came here this year, were they good, bad, so-so????

Do groomed trails make a difference in your vacation plans?

I will print this thread and PM's and take it to decision makers for their review, good, bad, or indifferent.

doug

 

[Extreme-One]

Boy Doug... I can't agree with you more... The trails around Brundage, McCall and Donnelly have been better this year then the past 10 years+ I've been riding. I probably go up there every weekend from Thanksgiving thru mid April, with the exception of some out of state trips, but I've never ridden better trails. I just looked at the mileage on my sled and I've ridden almost 2000 miles this year and I'd bet that about 1200 have been in the McCall/Donnelly area. I can't even remember one time this hole year that the trails were not butter smooth. If someone from McCall is complaining then the don't ride much. With the price of fuel going up I'm sure if you keep the trails groomed the out of town people will continue to come and spend money in McCall... How could you guys loose on that deal.

To answer one of your questions... yes I do go where the tails are smooth. We have some newer riders in our group this year and due to that it is no fun if they tire out fast. We have skipped out on a few rides out of town and headed to McCall knowing that the trails would be smooth. On top of that we have rode the trails a little further this year to check out areas we use to skip because the trails were too rough... not this year, they have been as smooth as glass.

 

[Wade]

Let me guess, the Valley County Locals Retirees Tuesday Riders are unhappy that the grooming is better on the weekends when the majority of people are there. The trails have been great this year. Last couple of years have been a joke. I pulled my state sticker money because of it, Trinities now gets my money, as well as Adams County. Let's just wait for the Snowest area vote, something tells me that when McCall's trails are rated Great, for the first time, the *****ing will stop. Well, we can hope.

 

[sled_guy]

Boy this is easy... I posted this before. I'm from Utah. I used to make 1 or 2 trips to McCall every year, sometimes more. A bunch of us would show up, 8 plus each trip, and spend 4 days or so riding there.

About 5 years ago we got tired of the absolutely brutal trail conditions anywhere around McCall. Figure it out, 8 guys renting hotel rooms, eating out, buying fuel, drinks, etc. for 4 days. But we couldn't stand the trails. One particular run back from the hot springs was the final straw so we stopped going to McCall. Instead we started going to Stanley and Alpine, Wy and places that had groomed trails to get us into the boondocking areas without requiring a kidney transplant afterwards.

Then this year a couple of locals or at least regular riders in McCall convinced me that the trails were fixed. So we planned a trip. 7 of us back in McCall for 4 days. I ran the numbers tonight... we spent just shy of $2000 between all of us those days in McCall. And the trails were great. Even though the snow was deep and coming down hard the trails stayed in good shape and we had nothing but a super time.

Assuming the trails are like they were this year, next year we will be back on for a regular trips to McCall.

sled_guy

 

[76FOMOCO]

The trails all year have been awesome, the only time it was bad was the Sunday after one of the fun runs but what do you expect. You guys did a great job this year and if it looks good next year I will relocate are four day trip to McCall.

 

[turbospl311]

I split my riding time between McCall and Trinity and Pilots Peak. By far McCall had the best trails this year. Over the previous 5 years of riding, this has been the best trail year I have seen in the McCall area.

I wish the other grooming areas had a similar group of people as McCall did this year. It would make the state trail system a much more likable ride for people from out of state.

 

[sled_guy]

I wish the other grooming areas had a similar group of people as McCall did this year. It would make the state trail system a much more likable ride for people from out of state.

I used to think this sort of attitude was complete bull... then I guess I got older. I've come to realize that I tend to play pretty hard during the day. I'm pretty beat by the time the gas gauge is bouncing off empty. It has become very important for me in my selection of riding areas that the trail is reasonably smooth on the way out to the trucks at the end of the day, which means it has to start the day really smooth.

I've found this even more important on multiday trips. A rough trail can literally pound it out of you and make the difference between day 4 of the trip being fun or just tiring.

Yea, I'm getting old. But trail conditions, even the limited number of trails I ride in the West, have become a deciding factor for me and my riding partners on where we go on trips.

sled_guy

 

[IQTurboHound]

Trails this year have been exceptional. Two thumbs up for the success. Im still having nightmares of McCalls trails in past years. Excellent job, thank you!

 

[sledhauler07]

McCall trails

Doug,

You can put my name on your list of supporters. We ride several areas around Idaho (live in Boise) and McCall has had some of the best trails this year. Given the amount of snow, and I'm sure the number of riders in your area, that takes a well thought out plan and some very dedicated groomers. I can't image a better trail system or better conditions than what you provided.

I often take new folks or family on rides and it just isn't any fun if they get beat up on the trails... means they are less likely to want to go again.

Not sure that it really mattered the day (week day or weekend) we rode this year. The trails always seemed to be in good shape. Even after the fun run! That means we will be back again and again and again. If money is the issue, let me say we spend plenty of it while in town and really had a great time. We will be back to do it again as long as you guys keep up the great work.

I know I told you in person and on here a couple times, but thanks again to you and your guys for all that you do for us. You are appreciated and if I get a chance I'll buy a round for you and your boys.

Sledhauler07 (Brad)

 

[F-Bomb]

ECONOMICS and POLICY 101

The trails and riding conditions due to the extensive McCall trail system and EXCELLENT 2007/2008 grooming plan have never been better. We own property in McCall and have since the early 70's. Even then it's very easy to take my winter recreational dollars elsewhere if the community doesn't embrace us. We certainly did prior to the new grooming policy. There are alot of other tourism reliant communities competing for our attention well within similar ranges and qualities of experience. When the masses quit coming so do the dollars and that is closely followed by CLOSURE POLICY.

The history is there and it's happened to other communities. Ride with the group or MAYBE you don't ride at all! It's happening everywhere. YOUR CHOICE....but while you defend your PRIVATE IDAHO I'll still be riding elsewhere while you are looking at a Federally posted NO SNOWMOBILING sign in your back yard. If you can't get along with the masses you better enjoy snowshoes or skinny skis. Maybe you would prefer standing in line at Tamarack or Brundage? Worse yet you might have to move to the rat race in the stinky valley to make a living!

ARE WE A TEAM NOW? Thunked so!

 

[jim]

I've been riding McCall for 15 years now...the trails this last year were the best they've ever been. We ride there adn spend money for trail shape...gets us deep quickly for the backcountry. We regularly come up with 4-5 guys.

 

[CentORM8]

McCall Trails

My wife and I spent eight days in McCall March 5th - 12th. We spoke at the time about the great grooming and trail maintenance in the area. Posting the grooming schedule and information on the club website is the best use of the world wide web I can imagine. Having the trail maps available on the website was fantastic!

The combination of the great maps, markings at intersections, and the lamenated trail maps at each intersection made us wonder why we haven't been doing that locally.

The last time I was in McCall was in 1997. The grooming was horrible. I had no intention of going back until I heard from some friends that things had changed. So, we went back to McCall and have made plans to go again in February of 2009.

 

[duchunter]

Well this has been my 5 th year coming to McCall and my wife and I use the trail system the whole week we are there, we have never realy had any proplems with the trail condition in the past put I will say this year was Awesome. We where there during the week of the the of Feburay 9th. This year there where 5 of us riding and we have book next year already with an additional 5 more coming with our group next!!

Keep up the great work on the trails there as we are coming back again next year
Andrew

 

[CB.8]

Keep up the good work!

We have been coming to McCall for four years now. Will be back again this summer and next winter. When we first started coming, the grooming left something to be desired but the last couple of years have been great!!! When I came down for the first time I had never been to McCall before. Now if I have the chance to choose a place to go for a weekend, the first place on my list is McCall. I would love to move down your so that I could enjoy more of your snow,trails and the natural beauty that is McCall.


Rob Shindler
Colfax,WA

 

[mtn_extreme]

I too have been riding McCall trails for many years and I feel that this year the trails were the best they have ever been. Not one time did I ride a really rough trail this year and as I am going up again tomarrow, I feel fully confident that I will not ride a rough trail then either. I will continue to choose for my registration money to go to their program. Great job gang!!!

 

[sleddin junky]

best trails i have ridden

went to mccall in feb. and even with getting a couple feet of snow every day the trails were awesome!! I would say they where the best i had ever been on.

 

[Extreme-One]

Well said Gary... I'm glad you and Doug had a chance to meet a week ago.

A lot of people have commented to me about the parking situation thinking that it was up to the grooming crew... I only recently found out that it's McCall's snowmobile club that is suppose to keep the parking lot clear. I wonder how many hours they've used that loader this winter and if they spent their money wisely. I know we've had a lot of snow but the lot is the worst it's been in years. I'd say it's close to have the size it usually is and the rental companies are using it has trailer storage ( I don't think that should be allowed, basically run a business out of the lot).

 

[switchback04]

I, for one, do not believe that the grooming this year was as great as all the responses have been. After reading much of the BS that has been going on in other threads, I agree that fuel costs have been up 30%, overtime has been up 30%, however I have to say that 40% of the trails in McCall have not been groomed to the extent that Warren/Sesech have been groomed. I know trails A-M, which are part of 43A, were only groomed at the most 3 times this season. The posted "grooming shedule" on this website never included Red Ridge, Sunflower Flat, Fish Lake, 4 Corners, etc. Any A-M trails. I don't know how may times people can ride to Sesech or Warren (unless they have cabins there) but it does tend to get boring. I suggest that you come and discover some new play areas on West Mountain (if it ever gets groomed)!

 

[Extreme-One]

Not sure when you've been riding around West Mountain but sense we stay at a place in Donnelly we ride quite a bit from that side and the trails have been groomed quite frequently, more regular then years past. And the times I've talked to friends that ride from the Cascade side have said that the trails there have been good with the exception sense the groomer went in the lake and now the groomer from Donnelly has been trying to cover that as well.

 

[switchback04]

I seem to think that many people are snowed by the "great groomed trails" in McCall. How may have gone on the other 100 miles of trails that were only groomed about 3 times this year?

As to the Francis Wallace parking lot... I suggest you contact Valley County and Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation to get a copy of the groomer coordinators' job description before pointing fingers. I would also ask them who is responsible for maintaining the maintenance of the grooming shed?
I call it like I see it, too. Black is black and white is white, but sometimes you never get the entire story. Think twice!

I have had many discussions on this subject in the last 2 weeks. It seems to be a behind the scenes on going debate.

The trails have been smooth this season. Far better than the last 5 years. Our group also gives our entire sticker fund to McCall. If they want to change the grooming for next year the Chamber and the County better think twice. I was there again today and stopped to talk with some fellow sledders along the way. If they did not bring up the great groomed trails (which happened on 3 occasions) I asked them what they thought about the trails. They all raved about how nice they were.

One item that many people have brought up is the parking situation at the Francis Wallace Parking lot. I know this is not up to the grooming operators. I have been told that is up to the "McCall Area Snowmobile Club." If it is they are falling short of their requirements. If this is the group that has a problem with the grooming group they had better look in the mirror. It seems to me that they are preaching to the choir.

Doug Millers crew has done an excellent job this year. If there is going to be changes I would suggest looking at the board of "The McCall Area Snowmobilers." They seem to be the only ones having a problem with one person in the grooming group.

I call it like I see it- Black is Black, White is White.

Great job Doug and crew, Keep it going.