I attended the meeting tonight in CleElum.
There appear to be funds left for grooming.
I heard several grooming operators give their reports and they seem to be on budget for grooming this year so I don't think that will be a problem until later in the season which is pretty normal from what I understand.
Some routes will no longer be groomed. All the new snow recently followed by the warming and rain has made large heavy/solid drifts that can't be removed. Three reason were given. The equipment just cant get through some of the large heavy drifts, if they were to try it would take many hours that are better invested in keeping other trails groomed and then operator safety is a concern as some spots are just too dangerous to try and open back up.
The big issue we are facing is keeping Sno-Parks open. Some are plowed by the state. Some are plowed by the individual counties and I believe I heard them say that some are plowed by private contractors.
The WA state recreation folks have put a list together of Sno-Parks that they may close for the rest of the season. There was some confusion as to why some Sno-Parks were on the list and the grooming council is going to get some clarification on that. Not all areas are going to be closed because they are out of money. Apparently with all the snow this winter, some of the Sno-Parks are too narrow to accomodate rigs parking and still allowing other vehicles to get past. This presents a dangerous situation that may not be acceptable to the authorities. It sounds to me that if a Sno-Park does close and someone is interested in donating equipment to keep it open they may be receptive to this.
Another bit of information that was mentioned may be good news. The WA state recreation folks may be pulling money from some other recreation fund to use to keep our Sno-Parks open. This isn't a done deal yet but they sounded pretty encouraged about it.
There appear to be funds left for grooming.
I heard several grooming operators give their reports and they seem to be on budget for grooming this year so I don't think that will be a problem until later in the season which is pretty normal from what I understand.
Some routes will no longer be groomed. All the new snow recently followed by the warming and rain has made large heavy/solid drifts that can't be removed. Three reason were given. The equipment just cant get through some of the large heavy drifts, if they were to try it would take many hours that are better invested in keeping other trails groomed and then operator safety is a concern as some spots are just too dangerous to try and open back up.
The big issue we are facing is keeping Sno-Parks open. Some are plowed by the state. Some are plowed by the individual counties and I believe I heard them say that some are plowed by private contractors.
The WA state recreation folks have put a list together of Sno-Parks that they may close for the rest of the season. There was some confusion as to why some Sno-Parks were on the list and the grooming council is going to get some clarification on that. Not all areas are going to be closed because they are out of money. Apparently with all the snow this winter, some of the Sno-Parks are too narrow to accomodate rigs parking and still allowing other vehicles to get past. This presents a dangerous situation that may not be acceptable to the authorities. It sounds to me that if a Sno-Park does close and someone is interested in donating equipment to keep it open they may be receptive to this.
Another bit of information that was mentioned may be good news. The WA state recreation folks may be pulling money from some other recreation fund to use to keep our Sno-Parks open. This isn't a done deal yet but they sounded pretty encouraged about it.
Last edited:
