Solution to sno - park plowing problems

[ruffryder]

Solution to sno - park plowing problems?

Anyone have any ideas? I guess I am wondering if we have any options or not for THIS season.

Please keep the replies limited to solutions, not BS throwing, not reasons why other solutions won't work.

Thanks

 

[Reverup]

Maybe a fellow snowmobiler/contractor has a grader or dozer or plow or something and would help donate some time and equipment if the others help with fuel or whatever. Just an idea.

 

[Summertime Blues]

Could grooming money go towards plowing instead?

I mean I would rather have a place to park and ride $hitty trails then have really nice groomed trails and no place to park. What good is grooming if there is no place to park.

 

[sky7051]

I agree with Reverup, is there anything saying a sledder who has the time and equip can't plow out the parks so they can be used. Seems like a lot of guys with plows on their rigs are also sledders and I'm sure people would donate some time if it meant these parks could stay open

 

[Ski Bum]

The biggest problem with using grooming funds for plowing is that in most locations, there are two different contractors (or one is state and the other contracted). The grooming contractor is probably going to be very reluctant to give up money that has been promised to them in a signed contract. (and that they are basing their business decisions on)
I'm the grooming co-odinator for the Greenwater area, and we are lucky in that R+R Grooming has BOTH the grooming and plowing contracts. Ron Lind has already received approval from the state to use grooming funds to plow so we can stay open. (because if we can't keep the road open and safe, the forest service will shut it down completely, and then the grooming is a moot point)
We had our grooming meeting on Monday, and had people step up and volunteer time and money to keep the road open. We had dozers and a front-loader delivered onsite yesterday from two companies that donated the equipment, and the operators are donating their time as well. (we had so much snow that the plow truck wasn't able to push it off anymore) Ron is also donating his time as well, and is only asking us to cover his fuel costs.
It can be done if everyone works together.

 

[blackout94zr700]

its not just plowing. i was up at Helens on Tues. and there is ALOT of trees down. it was difficult just to get sleds up rd.83 to the snoparks. IMO, we just need somewhere to park down low, and someone needs to take up a big chainsaw and clear a path for sleds. Roads are BAD, there is no way all snoparks will re-open this year, it would take alot of time and money. (mt st helens anyway)

 

[Kiki Shackleton]

Sno Parks that will stay open...

Okay, this is actually a rare indoor day for me, as the winds are howling here in Easton and tree branches are flying as much as snow! So, I'm thinking (which is fairly rare) that we really need to research how other states handle their parks. Oregon and Idaho aren't closing their facilities, although the same storms are pounding them... So what is different? I'll do some research.

Keep in mind too, that many of the private groomers, like Boulder Creek, R&R, etc. feed their families with these contracts. Boulder (Don Maye) has done an outstanding job this season staying on schedule and working through these storms.... Actually, most of these guys have worked especially hard - I can't see threatening their livelihood over a state snafu.

I think the North Fork Teanaway will remain open because the road is plowed by the Fish Hatchery folks. Also, Salmon la Sac, Woods and Steele, and Kachess roads are maintained by the county, so those trails should remain accessible. You can access Table from Mineral Springs. And the town of Easton is super sled friendly, so maybe if we ask nicely they can open some parking down below the reload and let us ride up to those trails. But, you better get there early!

Thanks to the calm heads out there… we need to work together so the next time we have an EPIC season (maybe in another ten years or so) we also have epic opportunities. Stay safe cuss it's insane out there and Ride On!

 

[TWOSTOKED]

From what I hear there is grooming money left, it's the parking lot plowing money that is exhausted. I dont know exactly how it would work but I would gladly pay a parking fee when I go to pay for the lot plowing. I know the greenwater lot is being cleared with private money thats being collected/donated. I dont have a lot of cash but Ill throw a 100 bucks into a fund to plow GC and Crystal springs.

 

[ruffryder]

If they don't plow, what is everyone going to do? Go north to Baker? It is only the beginning of Feb, still 2 months of plowing left. I would imagine that the lots would be stuckfests after a couple feet of new snow.

 

[ericbigbore]

Just park on the freeway in the chain up area next to Gold Creek. Maybe they will figure it out.

 

[4Z]

I dont know exactly how it would work but I would gladly pay a parking fee when I go to pay for the lot plowing.

Good idea. heck if I owned the equipment I would be willing to do it.....

 

[Snowsharkette]

The Equipment is not that expensive

My husband, Snowshark, and I have been looking at equipment to purchase. It is not that expensive. So far I think he found a grader with a wing and bottom blade that are in working condition and a Snowblower. Getting them here by the end of the season won't happen. Most likely we will purchase them and bid our local contract for next year so we have some control over our local problems. This is the only viable soluion we have been able to come up with. Until then we are going to sled in Oregon for the next 5 weeks and reevaluate the situation from there.

At the meeting last week they told us to pay the contractors privately. That is probably more of an option up near Seattle because you have more of a population base than we do. Down here we are spread out and in danger of losing Mt. St. Helens alltogether to National Park status.

I hope we are able to get some Washington snoparks open. The smaller areas where businesses depend on our Winter dollars are really going to suffer this season.

Don't forget to call your state reps. See the latest SAWS alert for all the information you need.

 

[HPI]

If they don't plow, what is everyone going to do? Go north to Baker? It is only the beginning of Feb, still 2 months of plowing left. I would imagine that the lots would be stuckfests after a couple feet of new snow.

Ruffryder,
Why come north to baker??? Do you have some fantasy that we have a ton of money to keep our lots open and trails groomed. Our funds come from the same place as yours. So if you do come, bring a shovel to shovel out the lot, Its gonna need it.
J

 

[Rhoward]

I will help shovel!

 

[HPI]

your welcome with your shovel any time Mr. Howard. Bring xtra fuel and leave the one-eyed a$$ gerbal in Longview. The door is always open. Do you have anyone to ride with anymore?
Jay

 

[ruffryder]

Ruffryder,
Why come north to baker??? Do you have some fantasy that we have a ton of money to keep our lots open and trails groomed. Our funds come from the same place as yours. So if you do come, bring a shovel to shovel out the lot, Its gonna need it.
J

I didn't see anywhere (in the SAWS alerts) that mentioned the lots around baker are having the same problem. I guess I assumed wrong and you are?

 

[dog breath]

Just park on the freeway in the chain up area next to Gold Creek. Maybe they will figure it out.

And come back with the truck gone? I don't think so. Nearest towing lot is what..Easton? WSP doesn't care about our sno-park problems.

As for ideas, if you have a truck with a snowplow, how about volunteering to plow when you come up to ride.

 

[JStrows]

Ruffy,
If your Liberty is too low, lift it!

 

[ruffryder]

Ruffy,
If your Liberty is too low, lift it!

I was thinking the other way, put a snorkel on it and call it a submarine.

 

[JStrows]

I didn't see anywhere (in the SAWS alerts) that mentioned the lots around baker are having the same problem. I guess I assumed wrong and you are?

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Ruffy
Baker is worse. We just don't talk about it. Our groomer is about out of money and there isn't a snowballs chance in helll your Liberty would make it more than 50 yards off of the main road. No turn outs, not really anywhere to park. TOO MUCH SNOW. Same as everywhere.