PEAK PUTTERS

Snowmobilers help rescue winter recreation
By Ear to the Ground

Things were looking pretty bleak for snowmobilers who love to ride the dry winter powder on state trust lands near Yakima and Ellensburg.

Due to budget cuts earlier this year by the Legislature, DNR was planning to suspend its winter recreation program at five snow parks this season. Concerned about the possibility of not having access to their favorite winter recreation sites , the snowmobiling community decided to get proactive.

In a short few weeks, members of the Yakima Ski Benders collected the $25,000 necessary to keep the program alive.

Earlier today, members of the Ski Benders handed over a first-installment check of $10,000 to Mike Williams, DNR’s recreation program manager for the Southeast Region.

Carl Denton, president of the Yakima Ski Benders, said that nearly 120 people and businesses donated enough money to fund DNR’s management of the winter recreation program. Average donations were about $100, with some individuals and businesses contributing $1,000 or more.

All parties—snowmobilers and DNR staff—agree that resorting to collecting donations was not the ideal way to resolve the issue. But the effort demonstrates how a group of determined citizens worked together with DNR staff to find a short-term solution.

“We’re hoping we don’t have to this every year or biennium,â€

How about opening the trails to more "machines"? Like maybe 4x4's? Kind of hard to justify spending the $$$ for the usage of only one small group of folks. Not to mention that it increases the numbers of people who would be interrested in donating time/money to keep the trails open if that is what it takes. Some of us enjoy multiple forms of playing in the white stuff, and can be quite happy sharing the trail with folks enjoying it there way. I can step aside the trail on snowshoes to let a rig or snowmobile pass, or show courtesy to people on foot when I pass them if I happen to be the one in a rig. From what I've seen the majority of folks feel the same way. To bad the few have to screw it up for the rest of us.

Doc Casey wrote:How about opening the trails to more "machines"? Like maybe 4x4's? Kind of hard to justify spending the $$$ for the usage of only one small group of folks. Not to mention that it increases the numbers of people who would be interrested in donating time/money to keep the trails open if that is what it takes. Some of us enjoy multiple forms of playing in the white stuff, and can be quite happy sharing the trail with folks enjoying it there way. I can step aside the trail on snowshoes to let a rig or snowmobile pass, or show courtesy to people on foot when I pass them if I happen to be the one in a rig. From what I've seen the majority of folks feel the same way. To bad the few have to screw it up for the rest of us.

I agree Doc, but the snowmobilers want their trails groomed and our tires tear that up (they explained it to me one day.) Those with the snow machines also pay to have most of those trails groomed (explained to me that same day.) What I take away from this story is... holy cow those guys are organized and passionate about protecting their sport.