“Just not enough snow,” is how Wingham and District Snowmobile Association trails co-ordinator Terry Hoy described trails in the area which remain closed, although trails north and south of Wingham were open under limited conditions.
Hoy said conditions in the Wingham area are not good and will require a foot of snow before they can be opened. With no snow in the forecast, Hoy said the club is asking local riders to remain patient.
Although trails to the north and south are open under limited conditions, Hoy said conditions are spotty and if they don’t see more snow over the weekend, the trails could be closed again.
Hoy said Wingham trail groomers have been out since before Christmas and in a normal year the club’s riders would be going strong.
He added that although Wingham trails don’t cross any bodies of water, there are swamps in the area that have been packed down, but also require more snow.
Hoy reminded riders that riding on closed trails is trespassing and added that while there have been reports of fake permits been sold in other areas, none have shown up locally.
One of the trail bosses for the Wingham club is Warren Rich of Belgrave, who has been responsible for a 10 kilometre section since 1995. Rich said he usually spends about 40 hours a year preparing and staking the trails, as well as checking with landowners.
Rich said the landowners get nothing but a thank-you for the use of their land and he checks in the fall to find out if they have made any changes to their land that should be avoided.
Rich said the trails are designed so they can be safely negotiated by a snowmobile going 50 km/h and he keeps a log book of every time he checks a trail, so in case of accidents, there are records of any missing or knocked down stakes.
Rich said the OPP is also active on the trails checking permits and for speeders with trail radar units and the snowmobile clubs also have Ministry of Transportation regulations they go by.
For up to date information on trail conditions, Hoy said check www.ofsc.on.ca, which he said is updated constantly or call 1-800 387-7669.