The Sudbury Trail Plan Association announced Tuesday a number of snowmobile trails maintained by the eight member clubs of the Sudbury are in the process of being groomed and opened for the season.
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STP president Richard Riach said the results of trail grooming that took place over the last few days has confirmed itÂ?s appropriate to open additional trails allowing riders the opportunity to enjoy sledding in the safest manner possible.
Â?Despite the continued lack of snow accumulation in many southern trails, STP is working to pack and groom trails in areas north of the city,Â? said Riach.
The following trails are being targeted for Â?limited conditionÂ? operation by the end of this weekend.
- Top trail A206 from trail 78 (North River on Portelance Road) to Top Trail C (Shining Tree).
- Top trail C from Moose Mountain (Capreol) to Thor Lake/Shining Tree.
- Top trail C111D from Top trail C to Geneva Lake (lake might not be staked).
- Top trail A105D from Lake Kukagami to Lake Obabika (to Temagami).
- Top trail A105D from Falconbridge/Skead Road to Lake Wanapitei Dam (dam is staked).
- Trail 56 from top trail D/STP Ring Trail (Val Therese) to Top trail C.
- Val Caron trails as conditions allow.
Those trails identified will be groomed pending appropriate ice conditions in swamps to allow for safe and efficient operation of groomers.
Not all trails listed will be groomed if conditions are found to be inappropriate once checked more closely, said Riach.
Â?We still require a minimum 15 to 30 centimetres of snow in most areas around the city to give adequate base to work with,Â? he said. Â?We appreciate the patience most snowmobilers have shown thus far and ask them to continue to do so while waiting for Old Man Winter to send us a couple of good storms.Â?
STP reminds snowmobilers to stay off lakes and rivers that have not been staked and stay off remaining closed sections of trails until they are officially opened for the season.
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), reminds people police officers and other enforcement personnel are patrolling snowmobile trails this winter to emphasize that ignorance is no excuse for unlawful behaviour.
In addition to regular patrols by police and OFSC Snowmobile Trail Officer Patrol (S.T.O.P.) volunteers, the Ontario Provincial Police S.A.V.E. Teams are visiting various popular snowmobiling regions.
Â?Snowmobilers must understand that failure to obey the law will result in fines and penalties,Â? said Jeff Durant, chair of the OFSC S.T.O.P. Committee.
Durant explained that it is mandatory for the operator of a motorized snow vehicle to carry a valid driverÂ?s licence, registration, proof of insurance, and to wear an approved helmet.
On an OFSC Prescribed Trail, the law calls for most recreational sleds display a valid Snowmobile Trail Permit. Failure to meet any of these legal requirements can result in fines.
For more information about snowmobile trails, visit www.sudburytrailplan.on.ca.
