Butte Meadows Hillsliders Snowmobile Club

A FEW WORDS FROM THE GROOMER......

You will find us grooming over 70 miles of snowmobile trails in the Jonesville Snowmobile Area of the Lassen National Forest. Our grooming season begins when the gate on Humboldt road at the Jonesville Snowmobile Park (N 40^06.845 & W 121^28.700) ((4970')) closes. This closing signals all roads and trails above the gate, extending to HWY 89 and all areas above Snag Lake, are closed to WHEELED TRAFFIC until Spring when the gate is re-opened. These areas, again over 70 miles of trails, are groomed by our machines and their volunteer groomers for your snowmobile use. It should be noted... a SnoPark permit is NOT required to use this area. Please be safe and enjoy the Winter season in the Lassen National Forest. " A Special message from the Lassen National Forest: Lassen National Forest snowmobile routes are closed to all wheeled vehicles including All Terrain Vehicles (ATV's) until March 31, 2009 (Forest Order No. 06-08-09). Wheeled vehicles create ruts on groomed trails which result in hazardous condtions for snowmobile traffic. Violation of the closure areas and trails is not only dangerous, but can be costly as well. The punishment for violating this order can be up to $5000 for an individual. Our concern is public safety and protection of the resource"

Current Status of Gate: The Gate OPENED April 1, 2009 !!!!!!!!....Wheeled vehicles are now permitted, instead of prohibited, in all Snowmobile areas of the Lassen National Forest as Forest Order No. 06-08-09 expires until the next snow season. Snow Grooming for the 2008-2009 season ended Wednesday, March 25, 2009. Look for us late December when the 2009-2010 snow season begins.

During the snowmobile season---- for the convenience of all Snowmobile Riders, Forest Service personnel, and the Butte and Plumas County Sheriff ---- the groomer will post the trails groomed each day. Most days the Groomer's Post will begin early morning before he leaves and then will be updated and completed when he returns to the valley each evening. Groomers carry area maps for your use and will be glad to stop ........... You will find us on the trails most days, weather and conditions permitting.

Riders may use the comment section of latest post to communicate dangerous conditions with the groomer --- Large trees down, wash outs, etc. The groomer will receive comments as emails and then release them to the comments section.

Caution: Well groomed trails can be EXTREMELY DANGEROUS when SPEED and ICE are combined. Please discuss this with the members of your party.

Be sure to check the "CURRENT NEWS & ONLINE CLUB NEWSLETTER" in the LINKS section for more of the latest club news!

GROOMER'S BLOG FOLLOWS: Click to enlarge pictures.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Trails: "B", "D", "F" and "I" were groomed today.

One Groomer was out today. Beautiful day and HEAVY snow at higher elevations --4 foot of new powder on trail "B". As can be seen, the lower elevations have less, however, Fanni Meadows had the only road areas showing. Our grooming schedule is as follows: tomorrow (Tuesday 3/24--trails: "B", "D", "F", and "I") and Wednesday 3/25--trails: "I", "G", and "A". Grooming will END for THIS SNOW YEAR on this Wednesday (3/25). Lassen National Forest will open to wheeled vehicles on April 1st and the gate at Jonesville Snowmobile Park will be opened April 1st as well. The road past the gate and through Jonesville will be graded open to the "Y" intersection by April 1st as well. Your Groomers look forward to the next snow season----see you then. No further updates of this blog will be made until next snow season.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Trails: "B", "D", "F", and "I" were groomed today.

Two groomers were out today. Trails are smooth and depth of snow ranges from less than one foot at lower levels to over five feet at higher elevations. Snow was soft today, even at the warming hut, but all trails groomed well and look nice. It is unfortunate that no freezing temps are expected----so don't expect the trails to be nice long. Grooming is on hold until a major storm at the 5000 foot level arrives.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

B.M.H.S. WARMING HUT Social --Everyone is welcome!

Sunday--March 22nd, there will be a "Warming Hut Social/Fun Day" for anyone who wants to ride out and have lunch. 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Those attending should bring their own food and drinks--the bbq will be ready to go. Condiments such as mayo, mustard, catsup and relish packs will be provided.